
Please help me keep my head above water
Donation protected
Hi everyone. My name is Brandon and I'm at a really low point in my life. About six months ago, I was suddenly laid off from a job which was just beginning to look secure and promising for the long term. It was a perfect fit for me, and I was absolutely crushed when I heard that my contract was ending so suddenly. As a contractor, I of course didn't qualify for unemployment insurance, so my income literally plummeted to zero. I had a very small savings accrued, but it quickly drained away and I've been having to rely on sporadic help from friends and family ever since.
This spring, I wasn't able to afford to pay what I owed in taxes. I'm also uninsured, and my spouse's family insurance plan through work is prohibitively expensive, literally more than quadruple what they pay for individual insurance.
A few months ago, I stopped being able to meet minimum payments to my creditors. I receive at least a dozen phone calls from collectors each day, filling my voicemail. My email inbox looks like this every week or so now:

In a word, I'm desperate.
I'm currently searching for employment and have been doing so for months, but it's slow going and my mental health is unfortunately a limiting factor for the kind of jobs that are available to me. It's an uphill battle, but recently I took some assessments with local government and did very well, so I'm hoping that an opportunity in the public sector arises soon.
What I'm asking for with this gofundme campaign is simply some money to help get my head back above water financially and stop the tailspin that my finances are currently in. I just want to be able to afford my minimum payments and be able to afford my prescription medication until I find a job and can be self-sustaining again. I know the goal looks a bit lofty, but I'm honestly in that bad a shape right now, and I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't absolutely need the help.
I need to feel safe again. I am so grateful for any support you're able to give at this time.
Thank you for your help.
This spring, I wasn't able to afford to pay what I owed in taxes. I'm also uninsured, and my spouse's family insurance plan through work is prohibitively expensive, literally more than quadruple what they pay for individual insurance.
A few months ago, I stopped being able to meet minimum payments to my creditors. I receive at least a dozen phone calls from collectors each day, filling my voicemail. My email inbox looks like this every week or so now:

In a word, I'm desperate.
I'm currently searching for employment and have been doing so for months, but it's slow going and my mental health is unfortunately a limiting factor for the kind of jobs that are available to me. It's an uphill battle, but recently I took some assessments with local government and did very well, so I'm hoping that an opportunity in the public sector arises soon.
What I'm asking for with this gofundme campaign is simply some money to help get my head back above water financially and stop the tailspin that my finances are currently in. I just want to be able to afford my minimum payments and be able to afford my prescription medication until I find a job and can be self-sustaining again. I know the goal looks a bit lofty, but I'm honestly in that bad a shape right now, and I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't absolutely need the help.
I need to feel safe again. I am so grateful for any support you're able to give at this time.
Thank you for your help.
Organizer
Brandon Lilya
Organizer
Duluth, MN