I’m personally asking for help

For those of you that don’t know, I had to resign from my job in April of 2023 due to combined physical and mental health issues. At that time I began the process of applying for social security income based on disabling conditions.

My hearing for social security is July 18th and my attorney is confident that I will finally be approved after what has been an extremely long and stressful process.

The amount I am trying to raise is for the next few months rent, plus enough to cover my electric and phone bills. That will get me through to the hearing, the 30-90 days it typically takes to get a determination and allow for time to get my back payment of social security income.

I have tried finding assistance through different community assistance programs, but because I am not considered disabled yet, am not a senior citizen and don’t have children, I don’t qualify…or there just isn’t anything available.

The reason I’ve come to GoFundMe is complicated. The retirement plan that I had with the university did not have a disability option, so there was no option of taking an early retirement based on disability.

 

In the process of applying for social security income, my attorney informed me that I would need to cash out any retirement plan I did have and spend it down to less than $2,000 before social security would approve me. 

So with great trepidation I cashed out my minimal retirement from working for 9 years at The University of Toledo and paid ahead on every bill that I could. 

I did OK until the last 2-3 months. My savings is gone and I’m still looking at a possible 2–3 months of no income.  I have food assistance and Medicaid through the county, so those are two things I don’t have to worry about. 

To say the past year has been a struggle, is putting it mildly. I’m not going to try and act like it hasn’t. The level of vulnerability I’ve had to embrace is uncomfortable and at times agonizing. I’ve done a lot of work and have a great medical team behind me. 

If you feel inclined to help, I am beyond grateful. Any amount will help.