Please help me survive Christmas
Donation protected
Firstly, please do not judge me. If you don't want to help, I completely understand. I probably wouldn't help me either.
I'm in a bit of a bad situation right now. I currently cannot work due to various mental illnesses (depression, anxiety and PTSD). I am also transgender and more at risk than most.
A few months ago, friends of mine agreed to help me move back to the US, after I wasn't finding the help I need in the UK (I was born there, but lived here for 11 years). Things didn't work out with them and I ended up being put in a motel as emergency accommodation. The motel is paid for, which I am grateful for. I am also getting regular therapy and the medications I need.
Unfortunately though, despite the help I'm getting, I'm rather stranded in Rochester (New York). I have no friends here and my family are all in England and unable to help me. I have food stamps, but I am struggling even with food because I cannot prepare food in my room or store it. Because of my anxiety issues and several incidents of harassment and unwanted approaches, I am unable to go out much.
Because of a screwup with my care manager, the psychological assessment form was not submitted to social services declaring me unfit for work. As a result, they have stopped the cash benefits that I was very much dependent on. I have no phone and I have to pay for internet at the motel, plus laundry and toiletries and food (as I cannot get by on food stamps in this living situation).
The likelihood is that I will have to re-apply for cash benefits. Last time, this took 7 weeks from submitting the form to getting paid. I have very little money left and will be in big trouble by around the 3rd week of this month' (December). With no internet, I will be cut off from my family ansi have no friends in Rochester at all that can help or just spend time with me.
I hate to ask, but this Christmas is looking bleak. It is the first ever Christmas that I'll have to spend totally alone and I am dreading it.
If I can get a few donations, it should see me through to January. Once I am placed in treatment housing in mid-late January and my cash benefits are reactivated, I will be in a much more stable position. From there on, my goal is to work again as soon as I am able, which I'll be getting help with anyway. It could even help me enough so that I can buy shitable footwear for the snow and ice, as I am totally unprepared.
So I'm asking for any help you can give just to see me through the next 6 week or so. Even $100 total would make a big difference, as it'll mean that I'll be able to stay online and connected with the support I need. The prospect of being cut off and alone over Christmas is scary and will probably send me over the edge.
Again, please don't judge. If by chance my benefits are fixed before then and backdated, I'll donate this money to a charity or will just return it to whoever donated. I don't want to count on that though, which is why I am starting this campaign now, to hopefully avoid a disaster.
If any of you reading this live in Rochester or WNY and need company over Christmas, I would be happy to help. Or if there is any way I can help in other ways, I am willing to do what I can, within my limitations.
Thank you for reading (and hopefully understanding) and have a good Christmas.
Becca.
p.s. Please note the currency is in British pounds as I only have a U.K. bank account, but I can use the debit card here
I'm in a bit of a bad situation right now. I currently cannot work due to various mental illnesses (depression, anxiety and PTSD). I am also transgender and more at risk than most.
A few months ago, friends of mine agreed to help me move back to the US, after I wasn't finding the help I need in the UK (I was born there, but lived here for 11 years). Things didn't work out with them and I ended up being put in a motel as emergency accommodation. The motel is paid for, which I am grateful for. I am also getting regular therapy and the medications I need.
Unfortunately though, despite the help I'm getting, I'm rather stranded in Rochester (New York). I have no friends here and my family are all in England and unable to help me. I have food stamps, but I am struggling even with food because I cannot prepare food in my room or store it. Because of my anxiety issues and several incidents of harassment and unwanted approaches, I am unable to go out much.
Because of a screwup with my care manager, the psychological assessment form was not submitted to social services declaring me unfit for work. As a result, they have stopped the cash benefits that I was very much dependent on. I have no phone and I have to pay for internet at the motel, plus laundry and toiletries and food (as I cannot get by on food stamps in this living situation).
The likelihood is that I will have to re-apply for cash benefits. Last time, this took 7 weeks from submitting the form to getting paid. I have very little money left and will be in big trouble by around the 3rd week of this month' (December). With no internet, I will be cut off from my family ansi have no friends in Rochester at all that can help or just spend time with me.
I hate to ask, but this Christmas is looking bleak. It is the first ever Christmas that I'll have to spend totally alone and I am dreading it.
If I can get a few donations, it should see me through to January. Once I am placed in treatment housing in mid-late January and my cash benefits are reactivated, I will be in a much more stable position. From there on, my goal is to work again as soon as I am able, which I'll be getting help with anyway. It could even help me enough so that I can buy shitable footwear for the snow and ice, as I am totally unprepared.
So I'm asking for any help you can give just to see me through the next 6 week or so. Even $100 total would make a big difference, as it'll mean that I'll be able to stay online and connected with the support I need. The prospect of being cut off and alone over Christmas is scary and will probably send me over the edge.
Again, please don't judge. If by chance my benefits are fixed before then and backdated, I'll donate this money to a charity or will just return it to whoever donated. I don't want to count on that though, which is why I am starting this campaign now, to hopefully avoid a disaster.
If any of you reading this live in Rochester or WNY and need company over Christmas, I would be happy to help. Or if there is any way I can help in other ways, I am willing to do what I can, within my limitations.
Thank you for reading (and hopefully understanding) and have a good Christmas.
Becca.
p.s. Please note the currency is in British pounds as I only have a U.K. bank account, but I can use the debit card here
Organizer
Rebecca M
Organizer
