Hello everyone! I'm Bates and this is my cat/familiar Squirrel and we need help.

The short version is that I own a condo in Chicago and my heater/ac unit stopped working in 2023. If you know anything about the midwest in winter, you know a heater is pretty much required. I looked into getting it fixed and it seems that's a bad decision because it's likely to cost me several hundreds of dollars and won't actually last any amount of time. I need a new dual unit, and it's going to cost me 20k. I would do a payment plan but that's going to be difficult to make work since I'm already in the red every month with my regular bills and have nothing to put down.

I want to be clear that this is my last resort. I've tried loans, cashing out my 401k, getting a roommate, and I'm already working a full time at higher than minimum wage. Unfortunately my time unemployed in 2023 dragged me so deeply back into debt that I can't pull myself out again yet.

I know things are difficult for everyone and I really appreciate your reading even this far. If you can spare something I would deeply appreciate it.

Because I know many people will have helpful tips and questions, I will put some info here to preemptively answer as best I can:

-We do not need any space heaters, we have a few that are energy efficient and don't trip the breakers. They can only do so much, though.

-I am not in any way harming my cat, I monitor her closely to ensure she isn't getting too cold. If necessary I will take her to a friends place to stay.

-The issue with the heater/ac is the motherboard has stopped working. The unit is so old, though, that finding a replacement that will work at all is a super low likelihood (or so said several dudes who came out from several different businesses).

-I have considered selling my place but without a working heater that will be difficult. Also I bought my place in 2021 and my rate is phenomenal, it would be fiscally irresponsible for me to start renting again.

-It was suggested that I do just the heater, but that would be at least 15k and at that point I would have to do another 10-15k to get the ac unit separately later.

-The city of Chicago DOES have assistance for heating issues with residents. However I have never been able to catch it when the money hasn't run out, or get the website to take me anywhere that would allow me to apply. I also never hear back when I request to be contacted.

-I cannot use foodstamps/food assistance because my housing costs absorb too much of my income for me to be eligible.

-I have hustled so much I can't even explain how much I've tried. From pet sitting, to laundry, to digital research and assistance, to photoshoots, tarot readings, ghost writing, editing, ebay, craft fairs, and working 60 hours a week at two jobs for 8 months. As I said, this is my last resort.