In September, I broke my knee shortly after my grandmother passed away while I was visiting family. The state of California turned off my disability benefits in December and asked me to reopen a claim. I could not reopen a claim without my benefits because I could not afford to see my doctor out of pocket. I continued to pay my rent with a credit card while I recovered enough to go back to work. Once I tried to go back to work, my boss at UPS wanted to fight to not let me come back. I had to ask my union for help in this fight, and eventually won the right to go back to work in the beginning of March.

I have three months worth of rent as a balance on my credit card, and although I was recently allowed back at work, the money has not come to me fast enough to avoid a negative balance in my bank account. I work for UPS and there is a record breaking layoff happening, but I still have rights to work through the layoff by taking two part time shifts that I work from 5pm to 8am. This has not been helping me fast enough to avoid negative balances, or to pay my credit card bills which resulted from rent stacking up. This money would go directly to my rent payments, and my credit card payment, allowing me to remain near my job to continue to work so I can pay off my debts and regain my benefits so I can resume physical therapy for my knee.

I am continuing to work on a weakened knee, as I have no choice but to do so, but I fear re-injury without benefits, and they will not come in for at least another month. Any support would mean the world to me and help me get back on my feet, literally and financially. Thank you for reading and considering a donation.