Hi - my name is Liz. I’m one of millions of people that unfortunately lost their jobs during the economic crisis due to COVID-19. I have been out of work since March. The PUA (the extra $600 weekly in unemployment) was keeping me afloat and I was able to pay nearly all my bills. The PUA expired at the end of July and congress has yet to act on an extension. I live in Los Angeles, CA and have relatively high expenses. I am unfortunately at risk of eviction at this point, as my total expenses end up being more than my income. While Los Angeles does have an eviction “moratorium”, it’s really not protecting people. It simply gives you a defense in court, but does not prevent eviction. Tenants very rarely will win eviction hearings, especially in the case of nonpayment of rent. I still have until April before the end of my lease.

Additionally, because I applied for state aid at the same time as my unemployment, and before I started receiving those payments - the state of California has determined that I “falsely” reported my income, because I didn’t have any at that time and I didn’t update that information with them (I assumed they had the information regarding my unemployment income). Even though I have no income aside from unemployment, even my base UI payments ($450/wk) are considered outside of their income guidelines. They have determined that because I technically never should have received either, they will be cutting back my EBT food assistance (I am waiting to hear back from my caseworker to see what amount), and will be revoking my Medi-Cal insurance. I have very high medical costs, as I receive treatment and therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. These services include medication, psychiatric appointments, therapy, crisis intervention services (if needed), and routine bloodwork.

I am currently relying primarily on food pantries for food. I will end up owing the state for overpayments for my EBT, as I shouldn’t have been approved based on my income. The property management company for the apartment I live in is refusing to let me out of my lease unless I pay the remaining amount of rent for the duration of my lease.

I have included documentation of my related necessary expenses, as well as a photo showing that my unemployment income has decreased.

Expenses include:

-Rent

-Car loan


-Car insurance

-LADWP (power)

-Phone bill

-Medical expenses

Proof of lay-off and unemployment income:


I absolutely hate asking for help, and it’s incredibly disempowering, but I’m unfortunately at the point of having to rely on the kindness of others to be able to get by. Anything helps, and I appreciate it more than you know. Thanks.