How can I raise money to help my family buy food & pay bills in this difficult time?

Question

My father got hurt at work & has had several surgeries but the injuries keep coming back - The place he has worked for (for almost 30 years) UPS, has decided they don't want to help him anymore & so my parents are currently fighting UPS but for now they have one income - my mom works as a Teachers aide Make $10 an hour. My brother is a fresh in hs & my sister is a junior. They don't have insurance - which is horrible because my sister has type 1 diabetes. & they have just started going to food pantries for help. I don't live with them so that helps out the bills a bit more, but they have been paying for everything witha credit card - & are 12 grand in debt right now. :(
Is there anything I can do to help them?

I have a job but I have a car & house to pay for.

I can't afford to take on a sibling (wish I could), but the united way is helping with food for now.

For the people who think I don't want to help - One I'm 19 & I just bought a house in May so I don't have any extra money right now- I babysitting on the side to help them out - paying for school, a house & a car doesn't leave much extra for anything

Answer 1

1. Encourage them to stop using their credit card to pay bills for the time being.
2. Every once and a while, invite them over to your house for dinner or supper or go over to their house and make them a meal.
3. Make sure your younger brother and sister are helping around the house to make things easier on your parents.
4. When your mother or father phone you, listen to them. Listening may be the best thing you can do for them right now.
5. If you own your own home (and yard) put in a big garden this spring and share your vegetables with your parents and siblings.
6. You phone social services and see what kind of help your parents can get while your father is out of work.
7. Make sure your mother's siblings and your father's siblings know what is going on.
8. Help them make a list of expenses they can cut down on for the time being.
9. When you see something on sale (a really good buy) get two and give one to your mother -- like a bottle of her favorite laundry soap, dish washing detergent, etc. Small things, mind you. But take NO MONEY from your mother for these purchases. Make it clear this is your way of helping her out.
10. Encourage your sister to get a very small, part-time job to help out with her own expenses.

I hope this helps you all. I have prayed for you.

Answer 2

sounds like you should have some disability insurance through UPS and that they should be obligated to pay out something. If not and he was clearly injured on the job, you should consult a good attorney. Most will take it on contigency if they feel there is a good case. Next, your mom should get out of the school district, especially if they are not paying benefits. $10 an hour to help kids when your own family is suffering? I like teachers and I appreciate the work they do, but sometimes enough is enough. School districts are only good for those who have been in the system 30 years, have a pension coming, have lifetime benefits, and bought their home 25 years ago. But if you need more $$ now, get into the business world and work your a** off. At least have her go get a job at Starbucks! Why? well, she can get hired, she will make AT LEAST the same or more, she can work extra hours, and she CAN GET HEALTH INSURANCE, and she will get company stock. That puts you all immediately in a better situation. Have one of your sisters get a job there too...or at a different one if she wants to be away from mom. Maybe you can work extra hours at one in your town too and send them some $$. View is as a short term thing with the goal of getting through this tough time until your dad can get his situation together. He is lucky to have all of you around him. Good luck to you and God bless.

Answer 3

Well with the abrupt loss of money in the household- I am almost certain they can go to the county to apply for health care. I think they will also help with food aide as well.

I am not sure of your age, but could you help by taking in one of your siblings? Your sister is old enough to pick up a VERY part time job, so that can help. You can send them money if you have extra after paying for your own living expenses too.

Try contacting the local United Way office in your area. They have valuable community resources they can use as well.

With them paying for everything by way of CC- they are heading down an even more destructive path. Encourage them to get rid of them and use more social services- as they are there for people in crisis.

Answer 4

In Northeastern Penna. we have HELPLINE, a number to call to be referred to different services. See if you have something similar. In addition to food pantries, check out your local Salvation Army, churches,Soup Kitchens, Red Cross and Social Service Agencies(Locally, we have Commission On Economic Oppurtunity that provides food)

Answer 5

Sometimes a job is just one step into Hell and the rest gets worse. You need a solution and very quick at that.

My suggestion is to go into marketing and invest what you have and grow quickly financially.

Answer 6

Talk to your local SRS (Social and Rehabilitation Services). They could apply for medical cards for your siblings to take care of their medical needs especially the one with diabetes, they could apply for foodstamps to help with the food, cash assistance, etc.

Answer 7

sweetie, been there done that. my boyfriend worked for ups and got hurt. it's been almost 5 years with him and we're still fighting over a back injury. in illinois where we live there is a program called allkids and it cover uninsured kids for health needs. you may also contact the ada, american diabetes association to see if they can assist you. if you e-mail me i can give your info to my illinois contact that sends mass e-mails about people looking for help.

Answer 8

I feel bad for you!!!! You say you want to help but then say you can not aford to take on your own siblings? Glad you and I are not related. I would change my lifestyle to help my family out. I beleive in family first. You might want to take a look in the mirror and be glad the roles are not reversed and it is you having a sibling that refuses to take you in.

Answer 9

Get yourself a job and give them the money.

Answer 10

get a job