My name is Beth McConaghie, I live in Bremerton, Washington, and I am setting up this GoFundMe for my disabled mother, Linda Thompson, and brother, Aaron Thompson, who live in New Castle, Delaware. I want to preface this by saying I know many people are struggling due to the government shutdown, and I feel horrible putting this out at this time. I don't know what else to do. My mom is an amazing woman who always puts others before herself. Before my stepdad died, you could find her on the streets of Delaware, handing out supplies to those who are housless, or offering food, rides, or even money to those in her community. Despite never really having much herself and always struggling financially, she is a survivor who still gives back. My mom worked three jobs to care for me and often other family members. Years after marrying my stepfather, they adopted my brother. My brother has cerebral palsy and many other diagnoses. After adopting my brother, my mom became disabled from several spinal surgeries. Then my stepdad died from COVID, and all of life's weight fell on my mom's shoulders. My senior mom lives on her and my brother's disability checks. Six months ago, my brother's check stopped coming, without notice. She learned that it was because he turned 18 and he had to be reevaluated and have his income adjusted. Due to the lack of employees at Social Security, she never received notice of this, despite them being required to notify you a year in advance. She knew she would have to file for guardianship, but was unaware of the benefits reevaluation. She was able to secure a lawyer through Legal Aid to oversee his case, but neither she nor his lawyer is making any progress on this issue. After three months, I contacted Congresswoman Sarah McBride in Delaware out of fear and desperation for my mom and brother, and have been working with her constituent advocate, Rayna Katz. Rayna was able to get his case moving slightly. Due to a lack of employees, they sent his case to Washington, where it was approved, but it stalled again because of the government shutdown. Despite numerous in-person appointments with the SSA and having a lawyer, the SSA is still failing to communicate with my mom or her lawyer. Out of desperation, my mom applied for a job and got hired at the dollar store, but has not been able to start work because her background check is stuck due to the government shutdown. We have been helping my mom financially for the past six months, so she and my brother don't lose their place to live, and our funds are running short because the shutdown is affecting us, too. We have contacted everyone possible in Delaware for help and have received nothing. The phones ring, or the numbers no longer work, or they say she has to be on the street before they can help. We do not have any other family that can help either. She is now several thousand dollars in debt to her landlord, and we have no idea when my brother's funds will be released, when she will be able to start working, or when her landlord will finally tell her she has to leave. Thankfully, her food stamps will start coming again. This circumstance has affected my mother's mental health and will have lasting effects on her, financially. I have done all I can do to help her. This situation is not her fault, and she has suffered enough throughout her life, and I am desperate to help her. Honestly, putting our business out into the world and asking for help is the last thing I want to do, but we are worried this situation could last for many more months. If you can help with anything at all — whether it be financially, emotionally, with prayers, or with advice — we would appreciate it. I can personally take gift cards and funds for her; she and I also have a Venmo, or you can donate here. All funds will go towards paying their rent and other bills. I appreciate any help. I will also update this site all along the way, so those of you who want to know what is being done to rectify the situation will be informed. Thank you for taking the time to read about my mom and brother's situation.

Sincerely, Beth McConaghie