I need a job
I hope I don’t bum people out with this. And it’s very embarrassing to admit.
Please bear with me. It’s a giant plea for help and a bit of a vent.
I’m a New Yorker. I’m now 62, and have a family of four. I’ve been out of work for 1.5 years, after a 45 year career in creative development and climbing the ladder to chief creative officer the company closed down. I’ve only had 3 interviews since then, look young, and each said I’m too old, or my salary would be to high-I’m looking at jobs for $16 and up-I don’t think that’s too high. I looked in education and becoming a paraprofessional in public and private schools but they’re done hiring for this year. I’ve read teachers in public schools need a teachers degree or certificate. I’m willing to take anything at any salary. Unfortunately I hurt my back last year so no stocking shelves or lifting, and I’m not a techie, but anything else I’m good to go.
If I start my social security I’ll get almost $1700/mo, which they say is too much for certain benefits . I’ve contacted temp agencies, seniors programs for help.
I live with my family-wife 62 (disabled since birth), adult son-severely disabled since birth(28), and daughter (25 with mental health issues). My daughter graduated with merit in law(LLM) last year but can’t find a job and like so many businesses, it’s not what you know but who you know. Anyone know any high ups at law firms? And I nor my wife know anyone in law. Like me, my daughter’s looking for any job. We looked into pet sitting but the shelter won’t allow anyone out over night.
The (SSA BENEFITS?) calculate by a system called “in-kind” meaning each adult in the family pays their share so eg-SSI is split 4 ways. 994+supplement for ny of 87 =1081/mo ($270.25/ person). Not enough for a 2/3 bedroom plus utilities. Fewer landlords are not including utilities so that’s an added expense. I’ve looked at sublet’s, lease takeover but no money no job, no apartment.
I even reached out to a colleague in Buffalo who’s retired from the post office. His kids-ages with mine- aren’t able to secure jobs either. And people in Ontario (can work there) and it’s the same thing. No extended family left so it’s just us.
My wife is on a lot of medication (1=$3600/mo with insurance) but she’s going off them slowly because we don’t have insurance or Medicaid-I’m against her doing that because some of them are life saving. My wife and son have applied for Medicaid, SSI and been denied (when we ask why we get no answer), and we applied for Dependent Adult Child (DAC) for my son, but I was told for DAC either I have to be on SSDI or dead.
I’ve contacted all of my network but most are retired or don’t know any companies hiring.
All our worldly possessions are gone. No home no car no savings and no investments.
We’ve been in a family shelter for a month-all of us having to sleep in one small room with two beds. My son doesn’t understand what’s going on and why, and he’s is having major meltdowns multiple times a day, and they refused to allow his emotional support animal in (who help calm him), even though we had a drs letter. He’s very loud and we’re exceedingly afraid the shelters either going to ask us to leave or call the police.
I’ve been looking into training programs, help from the aging programs with no luck. Part of the problem is they won’t accept our adult.
If you read my whole vent thanks, and if you know anyone.
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