I think the best way to tell you all about where I am is to directly quote the email I sent to apply for an emergency grant for eviction prevention. I struggled to write it out, and am grateful for my beloved KG for composing it for me. 

Here is the text:

" My situation is quite complicated and I had a hard time filling out the paperwork initially.
 
I am in a fairly dire situation, so I think it best to give you the whole picture.
 
I work 3/4 time for the State of WI.  That has not changed.  
 
Until very recently, I was the full time caregiver for my elderly mother and disabled brother.  I received earned income through Lori Knapp Inc., by way of Care Wisconsin.
 
Backing up to last March...
I became ill with a very high fever.  I went in for medical treatment, and they refused me a Covid test, as they were not readily available at that time.  
I was sent home from work and forced to use paid sick time and vacation time.
 
While I was out on forced leave, our department moved to remote work. I was not permitted to join this program for reasons that were never clear to me.
 
Now is a good time to mention that I suffer from Bipolar Disorder and have used FMLA leave and assistance in the past.  I endured some significant flare up of symptoms over the past several months that have diminished almost all of my paid leave.  
 
The State granted a paid Covid relief program that provided additional paid leave for those who ran/run out of PTO during this unprecedented period. Because my illness in March, which was never confirmed Covid, coincided with the beginning of this program, I was deemed ineligible.
 
Fast forward to summer - I had been trying to get my severely disabled brother into a residence home since January.  
He declined significantly in early summer around the same time I lost additional in-home healthcare support, due to Covid.
 
Care Wisconsin required me to get legal guardianship and power of attorning in order to get him moved to a facility.  That process was extremely time consuming, mentally taxing and expensive.
 
He is now living in Cottages of Madison.
He provided $1200/month to our household income, which went away, mid-August.
 
On October 25th, my mother fell and was admitted to the hospital.  She is currently in The Belmont Rehabilitation Center.  Our plan is to get her back home as soon as possible, but she has had some setbacks and is not strong enough yet.
 
As her in-home caretaker, I received $13/hour for 22 hours per week for my mother's care, through Care Wisconsin (Lori Knapp Inc.).
That money is gone while she is not here.
 
Here is my current situation:
I am in a two bedroom apartment alone. 
$2400 of monthly income I was used to is gone.
I am paying as much rent as possible, but I am barely staying afloat and have already received one eviction notice.  
My mental illness is fairly severe at the moment and I have been working with my doctors to stabilize.
While I am still working, I have had to take a few of my remaining 24 hours of sick time. (edit: I do need to take a medical leave now. I am highly symptomatic and honestly cannot function well. Working is too much.)
 
I will be sending photos of the signed forms after this email.
 
Please feel free to contact me more about the situation as it pertains to getting financial help.
 
Long term, paying the full rent here is not sustainable, and I will have to move. I just can't do it now.
 
Thank you for any help you can give me.
 
Sincerely,
 
Yvette Robinson"

So, that is the story folks. I need room to breathe. Any amount will help towards rent, food, and unpaid leave. I could also use one of those food subscriptions. And letters of encouragement. I know that we are all struggling through this pandemic in a crazy world.

Thank you all. xoxox, Yvette