a really tough queston from a humbled momma - Page 3

[2Sweeties1Angel]

but foodstamps..LOL.. they would laugh at us... our truck is an 06'

Are you saying they'd laugh at you because you own a new truck? Because that's not true. We have a 2005 van (that we really need to get rid of) and get $500/month in food stamps. We both had decent jobs and could easily afford the van, then all hell broke loose and we both lost our jobs within a month of each other. Fill out an application. It won't hurt to at least try.

[MaddieMay]

Sorry your family is having a rough time. You've received some great advice here, so I won't repeat what they said. Hopefully no one has mentioned this:

Do you have an Army Relief Society or something similar? Contact them and see what they can do to help. They may have a food bank that you can utilize to get some groceries. Often times, they'll provide no-interest loans in emergencies...and having no groceries is an emergency.

Look into bartering too-a mama on here (I think) mentioned awhile back on one of the boards that her neighbor hated taking her child to the grocery store with her. The mama watched the child so the neighbor could go to the store alone and the neighbor brought back a couple groceries for her. It worked out great for both of them!

Also, if your son is going to a public school see if you can contact a social worker for the school district and explain your situation. They may be able to help. I'm a teacher and the social workers that I've worked with are so good about making sure my kids have warm coats, shoes, etc. They also send home a backpack full of easy to prepare food on the weekends and that helps families out a lot.

Please keep us updated!

[a~...Mamacitaa~...]

can someone send me a link on how to apply for foostamps on-line??? for TX.. i have bben trying for the last hour to figure it out.. Thanks

[Jane]

There are several mamas here that do phone work at home. There are legitimate work-at-home jobs. Some require a separate phone line, but some do not. You just need a quiet room, a headset, and a computer. The demand for night operators is greater than the da.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Go to www.st.tx.us and search for "food stamps". I don't think you can apply online, but you should be able to print an application and mail it in.

[JesseMomme]

If you go to social services for help, also save all of your gas reciepts starting now, they may able to reimburse you a bit for the cost of your gas if you qualify.

As for needing food ASAP I second the notion to call local churches, and check with the salvation army and Catholic Charities. IME we found an extra non-affiliated food bank in town that we didn't know about because we kept asking 'where else can we go?' to anyone who would listen

We did get turned away a few times because the food banks were empty : But we kept at them and I suppose it's a timing thing sometimes, it did pay off.

WIC income qualifications are really high up there so no doubt you could get WIC. Every time I've applied I've gotten checks I can use the very same day, which is very helpful for the little to eat today situation.

[pilesoflaundry]

Do not get a job right now, you are already sick and the daycare will eat up a lot of what you make if you could even get a job right now.

Go to ACS on base, they will give you food today. Hang in there. They might be able to give you a food basket for christmas too and put you on the list to get the kids stuff, most bases do a santa's castle sort of thing.

I don't know about the truck and food stamps. You can probably qualify by income but the truck can cause an issue in Texas. Sometimes it helps you out because the payment is so high but other times they say no because in theory you could sell it (nevermind that you tried and can't)

[Godaime]

is there any way you can get monetary help from family members or close friends? Maybe see if they can loan you some money and you'll pay them back when you can?

[StrawberryFields]

Since you have two cars and one is brand new I would seriously, seriously strive to make it work as a one-car family. Sell the truck and free yourself from the burden of the monthly payments. I can only imagine they are astronomical. Can you drive DH to work in the morning, drive your child/ren to school, do the doctor appointments, whatever--and then pick dh up? Or, he could use public transportation or carpooling. Can your child use the school bus? Cancel cable/internet/caller ID/newspaper/etc., and downsize your cell phone minutes if you have one. That should provide you with fast enough cash to start affording some groceries. In the mean time, maybe you could get some help from a food pantry, or soup kitchen.

I think that if at all possible, downsizing your expenses is a faster and better solution than trying to find work.

[quietplease]

A lot of mothers on a message board I frequent work for this place:

http://www.workathomeagent.com/

They seem to be pretty happy with it. Can you get a phone line to work from home?

Good luck.

[Mama Dragon]

Few things I can think of...

The base chaplain can help with food.

Apply for Food Stamps NOW. Have birth certificates, soc sec cards, your DH's pay info, bank statements for the last 3 months, your utility bills, your truck payment info and ID for yourself and your DH.

Is your DH's truck clean? Inside and out? If not, get it that way. Shampoo the carpet, fix any dents and dings, and list it on cars.com or ebay.com

Get that truck sold and ditch the SUV idea. A used Ford Aerostar that'll last at least a few years can easily be found for about $3000 or much less (we got a very nice clean one for $2500). MUCH better gas milage then an SUV.

File your taxes and claim Earned Income Tax Credit ASAP after your DH gets his W2 in January. He should get $2-4k back

Also, once the truck is sold, downgrade your car insurance to state minimums. I'm sure you are paying an insane amound for full insuance on that truck.

I know how hard it can be trying to get ahead.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by missi66

Yep there is always help in the army.He just needs to ask.Don't go hungry ask for help.He should go to his commander or the chaplain if he is unsure where to apply for help.And today is payday or do you not have anything left after the bills?

Actually, he should start with his immediate supervisor. He may be able to get a payday advance through Finance. Since your situation is so urgent it would be a good idea to take along some extra stripes (supervisor/higher ranking friend ) so he doesn't get the run around. I would also check with the family support center (or whatever the Army calls it) for what services they could provide; especially if they have a financial counselor.

[JesseMomme]

I was against the idea at first for many valid reasons, but the only way we got through November was to go to H&R Block and request an advance on the Income tax refund we will get next year. They say up to 1500 but after their fees (one of my reasons I dragged my feet) we got about 1300 (and every penny was accounted for we're so behind). All Dh did was bring in his last current paystub.

It will mean less for us next year though, which we always use to catch up on. Just thought I would through that idea out there.

[JesseMomme]

Originally Posted by i'mmykid'$mom

Actually he should start with his immediate supervisor. He may be able to get a payday advance through Finance. I would also check with the family support center (or whatever the Army calls it) for what services they could provide; especially if they have a financial counselor.

Just be sure that the fees tacked onto something like that (the cash advance)isn't tantamount to legal loan sharking.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by Teensy

Even hiring an attorney to go to court for you might be cheaper than the gas to drive to CA and back. But hopefully you can avoid this altogether by sending letters and calling (pitiful story is good, but polite is a must!) the officer and court.

*****
I would start with a visit to the base legal office; chances are a soldier or dependent with a mv violation in another state has come up before. I also worked with an airman who "attended" court via speaker phone and was divorced over the phone (we were in Alaska, her judge was in Iowa). Besides, you should NOT be traveling with your condition; if you need medical attention while there, even with Tricare, at a civilian facility it will get expensive.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by JesseMomme

Just be sure that the fees tacked onto something like that (the cash advance)isn't tantamount to legal loan sharking.

Military financial offices can royally screw up your pay : but they cannot charge fees.

[JesseMomme]

Originally Posted by i'mmykid'$mom

Military financial offices can royally screw up your pay : but they cannot charge fees.

Oh that's cool! I was thinking of those "check into cash" type places.

Yeah my BIL just got out of the army, and he had a nightmare with them handling his finances over the past year.

[Pandora114]

Can't your DH get a lift with the guys in his unit if he works far from your PMQ?

If he can't, what's wrong with biking? my DH bikes to work.

[maliceinwonderland]

I don't have any great advice like the other ladies, but I just wanted to offer support. If you ever need to talk, feel free to pm me. I'm going through a rough patch lately as well...well actually since June. I just wanted to say I understand the frustration and how scary it can be.

[crayon]

You are better applying for FS at the office- get there first thing in the morning and bring your paper work. Because if you do it online- they will mail you stuff to sign then you have to mail it back then you get put on a waiting list for an appt. It will take nearly a month.

If you walk in, they will help you that same day. Call them and find out when the take walk-ins and what times.

Sorry- I have and are so there! It sucks.... It is stressful.... but I have faith it will not last forever.