I'm in a really desperate situation

[TorchTheWitch]

Last edited Fri Feb 13, 2015, 07:01 PM - Edit history (1)

I so far haven't been able to find a job, and now I only have a few hundred dollars to my name. My landlord wants to evict me if I can't pay the rent by the 15th, which is Sunday. I've gotten on the poor persons programs with the electric and water companies, and all week I've been trying to find any other government assistance. I've applied for food stamps, but I won't get the access card for at least a week, and there's a lot of stuff they don't cover. I've since found out that there is no cash assistance unless I'm pregnant or have minor children, and I'm not and don't.

My family can't help me financially since they're generally working poor as well, and not a one of them has even offered a sofa for me in case I get thrown out. My sister's advice was actually to get in my bucket of bolts car and drive as far south as I could get because at least it would be warmer living on the street. You just can't imagine how crushed I am by this. Never in a million years would I ever let anyone I cared about live on the street especially a member of my family.

What's so crazy is that the whole reason I lost the job I had is because of major problems with this property that the landlord has done next to nothing about but that I had to deal with each one immediately and clean up the mess from them. The last straw with my boss was when the water heater exploded and it took the landlord six days to replace it and I finally had hot water again. I couldn't shower, do dishes or laundry, and the tap water was so freezing it was painful just to try to wash my hands. She never calls a professional to fix anything but has her husband or brother or uncle or whoever come to fix things that they end up messing up even worse and were I'd have to call a professional myself, pay them out of pocket and take it off the rent. After two years running the shower causes water to leak out of the big hole in the ceiling that previous water damage caused a big part of the ceiling to fall apart all over the floor. I could go on and on... there are two other spots where the ceiling fell out because of water damage. And she KNOWS I lost my job because of all these emergency house falling apart incidents.

The only reason I hadn't called the code enforcement office is because there's no question that they would condemn the property, and when that happens depending on what the problems are they can throw out the tenants as fast as immediately (and at the tenants expense). I just got off the phone with a legal aid attorney about this, and my rights are basically none.

I'm so scared, and I just don't know what else to do. Plus, there's Yoshi, my dog, who I absolutely cannot be parted with. He's all I have and all that's been making me still get out of bed every day.

I'm so embarrassed to ask, but is there any way that anyone can help me with finances to just get this slumlord off my back and help me just get through a couple more weeks? I'm going to have to pay her the whole rent amount (which is a lot around here though mine is cheaper even for this dump than most), and I need to pay other bills to keep the electricity and water going as well as the phone and internet. I also need to get my anxiety meds but I have to do an appointment with the shrink before he can write another prescription. I do have enough for I think another week, and I'm really nervous about that because you have to be weaned on/off them, and I'm barely holding it together as it is - without them I won't be able to function.

I still owe the landlord almost two months of rent, but if I can pay her just one month that should buy me a couple of weeks to get some kind of temp job or hopefully a real permanent job since I still have interviews to do on Monday and Tuesday so far. I'm guessing I'll need around $2000 most of that being a month's rent and might even get me through for maybe a month.

I don't have a paypal account and would really appreciate any info about how that works.

I have soooo much to do, so can people try to keep this thread kicked? I couldn't get any sleep last night since I've been so worried, and I'm likely to start nodding off once the sun goes down.

Thank you a million times for any help!

My PayPal = [e-mail]

I think that's all I need? Gah, this stuff is really new to me.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I'll kick and rec the thread

but I don't think paypal is going to get to you in time anyway. I haven't used it to receive payments in years, but I'm pretty sure they hold the transferred money for some period of time, such that it takes a few days (I'm guessing 3-5) to appear in your bank account.

It sounds like you're in a world of hurt, and I hope folks can help you sort at least some of it out, luck to you.

[bravenak]

2. Try setting up over here.

http://www.gofundme.com
Then maybe post a link when you get set up.
I think they give tips on how to make it work.
Sorry about the landlord, mine does the same thing.
But he expects full rent though.

And you may be able to find freelance work through Elance.

[stage left]

3. So sorry to hear of your situation, Torch the Witch.

I don't know if a gofundme site works the same as paypal but it might be worth looking into. My husband and I are on social security and our daughter, who suffers from major depression and panic disorder and who is currently jobless just moved back in with us. I know from experience there is little help for singles who are suffering. If you could set up gofund me or find some other way for me to get it to you, I would pleased to help out in a small way and maybe get the ball rolling. Feel free to pm me.

[TorchTheWitch]

8. I actually don't know what gofundme is or how it works

I'm looking into it though now.

Thank you sooo much!

[mimi85]

65. It's a great idea!

That's how my daughter got some $$$ from friends and family (and probably others) so she could go with her honors class on a history trip back East. I'd help, but my drama queen sis is already trying to hit us up - I told her to maybe give up the net and her cell phone and quit feeding stray animals. Priorities! We worked too hard for what little we have and she literally has never worked a day in her life. Thank goodness she's in NC and I'm in California!

Good luck to you - gofundme is a great idea!

[Surya Gayatri]

4. K & R

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

5. K&R and wishing you the Best outcome,

Like a new job and great new apartment or housing situation
ADW

[madamvlb]

6. Please set up a gofundme account....

I would be willing to help out as I'm sure many others will as well. We just need a way to get it to you.

[narnian60]

15. Yes.

I would help, too.

[Omaha Steve]

19. Get the go fund me online

We will kick in too.

OS & Marta

[uponit7771]

32. +1

[fxstc]

260. hey ERH

how are you?

[MisterP]

69. I'm also able to donate by whatever means

[stage left]

7. Kicking for visibility

PM me if and when you get gofundme set up. As, I said, I will be happy to help.

[KMOD]

9. kick

[heaven05]

10. go to gofundme.com

and giveforward.com state your case and they might be able to help you. I am in a very dire situation myself and giveforward.com has gotten me 100.00 yesterday. That's all so far but you might have more supporters. I say in the area where you state your circumstance, write just what you wrote here. Good luck.

[sheshe2]

159. hey you

if i could have i would have heaven

[heaven05]

170. thank you

for the thought, they are important to me, also. backatcha

[No Vested Interest]

11. Contact the nearest St. Vincent DePaul society ASAP.

They do not proselytize; you do not have to be a church-member to get help from them.
Two days is likely very short notice.
They do give help for emergency situations, like rent payments.
Speak with local dog rescue groups about help for dog; these people who are used to helping often have knowledge of other resources.

[Lochloosa]

13. ^^^THIS^^^

[TorchTheWitch]

18. the only ones anywhere near me are thrift stores

And by "near" I mean not even in my state.

[Tree-Hugger]

47. Not the thrift stores

They are just another way St. VdeP gains money. The actual organization is run through Catholic parishes. Contact the Catholic church in your area and they can help point you in the right direction.

[MADem]

153. If you are still in PA there's one in Philadelphia...

http://svdp-phila.info/

[daredtowork]

34. I second this

They don't proselytize, and the one in my area organizes many services that people with no other resources need but for some reason can't get from government provided programs - flexible help with bills, shoes, hygiene kits, laundry, etc. PLUS, they have a billboard with the most comprehensive list of other resources and organizations in the area - updated and well-organized. The volunteers seem to be community volunteers, and again it is run like a community center - no hint of religion in sight. If there is one near you - just go.

The problem with most "rent help" programs -and what ultimately leads to homelessness for a lot of people - is that they demand you prove that you need only "temporary" help. In other words - you have to show you have a job or are about to start one. So even most charity programs won't be able to cover someone for emergency rent who is unemployed and who doesn't have another job in their sights yet. They will refer you to social services instead.

However, in order to qualify for general assistance welfare, your total assets (car, pension, etc.) have to be very low. If you liquidate those, you've decreased your chances of digging yourself out in the future. This sucks also because the welfare you receive will be much lower than your rent (it depends on where you live - it's $336 if it goes directly to your landlord in Oakland, CA) and it's a loan to the State that has to be paid back.

@Torch the Witch - I hope you can find a way to get into low-income housing - preferable where it is linked to your income. It takes a very long time to find such a place in urban areas, and you definitely need to get hooked up with programs that can help you first.

[Tree-Hugger]

51. Another vote for St. Vincent

Such a wonderful organization.

[Fumesucker]

12. If you say what part of the country you are in someone may be able to help you directly

I helped someone out by fixing the brakes on their car yesterday.

Get a gofundme set up and I can kick a few dollars your way if it works off a debit card, come back and tell us about it.

because you sound like you could use one right now..

And give Yoshi a hug too, he's probably picking up on your emotional state and may be upset as well.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. You are a good person.

But you probably already knew that.

[Raine1967]

20. Her region is on her profile page.

[Fumesucker]

23. Thanks, I never look at them and didn't think about it..

[Raine1967]

24. You're Welcome.

I hope we can get her the help she needs.

[rug]

16. I've got space in Pike County, about three hours north, if you're stuck.

Pm me if you need it.

[Curmudgeoness]

17. Well,

I have also been out of work since September with no luck so far in finding something else, so financially, I will not have anything to help you with....but if you find yourself out on the street, I have a spare bedroom. You just have to get to the other side of the state. And tolerate cats.

I wish you all the luck I can muster.

[virgdem]

21. If your landlord tries to evict...

it will take time anyway, so Sunday is not a drop dead date for eviction and losing shelter. As others have said, set up a gofundme account and we at DU will be able to get money to you. Good luck!

[TheKentuckian]

22. Let us know how getting set up is going

[TorchTheWitch]

25. can someone explain to me how gofundme works?

They say I have to use my real name and that the site will be public. Is using my real name really necessary? I REALLY don't want my real name and circumstances for the whole internet to see especially since I'm trying to find a job.

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. The person who sets up the account has to use their real name.

If you have someone you trust implicitly, you could do that. Or, you could set up a PayPal account and give that out to people who want to help and forget the GoFundMe. Whatever you decide to do, please keep us posted.

[TorchTheWitch]

39. I set up a paypal account but I don't know what info to give here

for someone to put money in it. Shouldn't I get an account number or something?

I set up a personal account... should I have set up a business account instead? This personal account seems to be all about putting in your own money and using it to shop or pay bills or something.

I'm so confused.

[Tree-Hugger]

48. Paypal

You want the personal account. All anyone needs is the email address you used to set up Paypal.

[TorchTheWitch]

76. so I just put that email address here?

Is any other info needed?

[Tree-Hugger]

78. that is it.

All anyone needs is your email address that is connected to PayPal. They don't need extra info.

[ScreamingMeemie]

52. What Tree-Hugger said.

I also registered for the PayPal debit card because I do all of my freelancing through there.

[Tree-Hugger]

49. Yes to this

You could have a friend or family member set it up for you. A friend set one up for me last year and transferred the money to me. I think GoFundMe and PayPal take the same amount of time to get the money to you.

[daredtowork]

36. This is what I hate when people always say "get a journalist to write about your situation"

Yes, I'd love to raise awareness of political and social matters I care about, and I understand how putting a face and a name on things makes an issue more "trustworthy" and "real"...but that in effect makes me a human sacrifice to the cause. I'll never work again because even if the article praises me to the stars, once your name is out there, people can comment on you, and just being a nail with your head stuck up in the first place makes you by default a troublemaker.

Which is why, despite the trolls, Internet anonymity needs to be defended as a class and equality issue.

[Tree-Hugger]

50. Yep

I wrote about my situation. 99% of that is a blessing, but you should see the troll action. I never imagined the hate that would come my way. At the same time, you can't let that overpower the positives.

[Seedersandleechers]

40. I doubt anyone looking to hire

is going to look to see if you have a gofund me site - and so what if you do.

[MarianJack]

26. K&R!

PEACE!

[Raine1967]

27. If you get an account set up, I would be glad to help. TTW.

I have been where you are. I have had to sleep on the couches of friends because I could not pay the bills (oil, electric, etc., in the winter)

It's terrifying. If I lived closer to you, I would tell you that you have a place to stay until you can get stuff in order. I am glad you asked for help.

[calimary]

29. Kicking this to keep it up top.

Gofundme sounds like a good idea. Please keep us posted!

[B2G]

30. Do not pay the rent

Pennsylvania tenants are legally entitled to rental property that meets basic structural, health, and safety standards and is in good repair. If a landlord fails to take care of important maintenance, such as a leaky roof or a broken heater, you have several important legal rights, including:

•the right to withhold rent until repairs are made, and
•the right to “repair and deduct”—that is, to hire a repairperson to fix a serious defect that makes a unit unfit (or buy a replacement part or item and do it yourself) and deduct the cost from your rent.

More here:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/pennsylvania-tenant-rights-withhold-rent-repair-deduct.html

[TorchTheWitch]

58. this is what I don't get

How can a landlord treat the property like this to the point where the tenant gets fired from their jobs because of all the house falling apart emergencies and then kick them out immediately because the property is "uninhabitable" and can't figure out how you're supposed to pay the rent without any income???

But I actually went through being evicted from the last place I lived (which is how I ended up in this dump) because that landlord had a fire hazard in the attic (which I didn't even know about), yet at the hearing the judge gave me just 30 days to get out. The code enforcement office tried to argue that I should be made to get out immediately. At that time though I had a good job and a lot of savings, but this place was the only one I could find that would be available right away.

This is why I never called the code enforcement office about the problems here because I was so afraid of being in the same boat again and this time I've got no job and no money to cover first and last rent and moving expenses.

I swear she hasn't been fixing stuff on purpose knowing that code enforcement could kick me out by the property being "uninhabitable" and then she just swoops in and patches the ceiling without fixing the leaks or replacing the sewage pipe and renting to someone else. Meanwhile I'm out on the street and lose everything I have!

This is also what the attorney at the legal aid office said and that all that mattered was that my lease was month to month and the landlord doesn't even need a reason to evict me.

If I don't pay the rent she'll evict me, the code enforcement office will call the place uninhabitable, and this time I really doubt I'll even get 30 days to vacate.

When this happened with the last landlord I was lucky to get 30 days to get out, and at that time I had savings and a good job. I even paid an attorney $500 to argue for me at the hearing, and he did point out that bit about the law that I don't have to pay the landlord when they aren't fixing things though at that place I didn't even KNOW that anything needed fixing much less was a fire hazard. Apparently, that rent money you're allowed to hold off paying has to go in an escrow account. This time I'll be on the street and lose EVERYTHING I own.

This evil woman has destroyed my life. I've lived here for 10 years been a model tenant and put up with more shit from a slumlord than imaginable. Yet I'm the one that will lose everything they own and be out on the street and when it's because of her that I lost my income.

This is just madness.

[SheilaT]

91. The landlord can treat the property

that badly so long as no one calls them on it. I understand why you didn't want to report the situation, but by not reporting it, things got so bad.

It's staying there for ten years and being such a model tenant that led to this. I'm truly sorry about your situation, and I hope it gets resolved soon.

[Seedersandleechers]

102. If the house was falling apart

I would think going to work would be a refuge.

[TorchTheWitch]

115. you'd be surprised the crap you get used to

It's crazy, I know. Every time I want to take a shower I have to put out pots and pans in various places where water is still leaking through the ceiling. The two things that always have me in a state of anxiety are the cracked sewage pipe that I sealed up with epoxy putty (and TOLD her it was a temporary fix and had to be replaced in a week or two) and the toilet.

I already had a massive toilet fiasco that dumped gallons and gallons of water that crashed through the ceiling all over my tv and blueray player and all the dvd's in the tv stand cabinet (and miracle of miracles both the tv and the blueray actually still work!) which then flooded the living room floor so badly that water then went through the floor and down into the basement where it made a huge puddle. I had to spend 3 days cleaning up from that and all the slumlord did was bring over an air blower to help dry out the carpet. I had to scrub it and dry it several times to get the toilet water stink out.

[seabeyond]

31. it is friday, that is only two days, not much time. i am not computer savvy

if something easy, let us know. if you need more, pm me and lets see what we can come up with.

i am all the way up north. i think you are pretty committed to the area, arent you? just thinking and trying to brainstorm some ideas. i HATE that you are in this situation. i will check back, and see what people come up with.

i thought you were in texas. never mind that up north, bit.

[one_voice]

33. If you set up a gofundme or paypal I will do what I can to help...

K&R

[BlancheSplanchnik]

35. kick and please let us know.

I'll help too.

to you and Yoshi.

[GeorgeGist]

37. Kick ...

Imagine what this country could do if it didn't need rich people.

[hwmnbn]

38. K&R for visibility... if a gofundme site is set up, I'll chip in..

[gopiscrap]

43. I can give a few dollars also.

[misterhighwasted]

41. Please try calling 211. It is a universal number connecting the caller to LOCAL assistance.

Same concept as 911 connects to any local calling area.
This is for emergency assistance, set up by groups of local churches, or anonymous donation groups. Talk to them & they may direct you to some help for your type of situation. They don't require you to be a religious affiliation or anything like that.
This group simply realized that a central calling number that unites all smaller help groups is better than each group working alone.

Please call 211 asap and find out what they can do for you.
They may give financial assistance towards rent, legal for your slumlord situation or other needs, depending who belongs to the assistance group.

Then try setting up a gofundme acct. You have DU friends waiting here to help move your difficult situation towards a much better day.

Do keep us posted as to your progress or if your situation hits a wall in the comingweek.

Lean on us ..please. We can help lift you above this difficulty.
Love to you

Keep talking to us..

[peace13]

42. Do you have a St Vincent de Paul Catholic charity in your city?

Give them a call and tell them of you're emergency, they may be able to help you. Best wishes to you.

[big_dog]

85. k&r go immediately to a Catholic Charities or Salvation Army with a rent eviction notice

they may be albe to cut you a check right there on the spot, just go along with the paperwork. if not i would go to the local housing city inspector and get somone to represent you against this landlord and get it up to code

[OnyxCollie]

44. K&R. nt

[vive la commune]

45. Tenant's Union

Have you contacted any Tenant's Union or similar organization in your area? I found one for Philadelphia: http://www.ourturn.net/index.html Tenant's Unions can usually provide legal help/advice to help fight evictions.

I don't know you, but I'm sorry to hear about your situation. If you do gofundme like others are suggesting, please post the link, and I'll try to help too. My best friends were living in a bad place much like yours, and I'm glad they are finally out of there.

[LibGranny]

46. Seek help from a church - if you don't

belong to one see if there's a Catholic Social Services in your town. They may help you some.

[CrispyQ]

53. Kick & bookmarking.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I have a few bucks, Torch. Let me know when you get the account set up.

[Tree-Hugger]

54. *hugs*

I have been there. My family still struggles. I don't know which Philly burb you live in, but check out Manna on Main street. If you are in that area, they can help you. The Philly burbs have a great St. Vincent de Paul set up.

Even if you are not near Manna, give them a call to see if they can direct you to resources closer to you.

I believe an organization called the Opportunity Council serves Bucks County. I can't post links from this damn phone.

I would also contact a different legal aide place. That info about no rights doesn't sound accurate.

Have you filed for unemployment ?

[TorchTheWitch]

99. I'm in Delaware County

A bit south from Ardmore. I've never heard of Manna. Where is that?

I did a search on St. Vincent de Paul, but the only one even remotely near me is on Logan St. in Philly and it's just a thrift store. The one in Wilmington Delaware, same thing. All the rest were in NJ except for one near Trenton which is a haul.

I'm not at all happy with that legal aid service either especially since the attorney or whoever the hell they were that I talked to was really mean and was practically yelling at me.

I can't get unemployment because this job was under the table. I didn't have a choice at the time though because I needed the job and I just kept looking for another place. That bar was a hole, but at least I got 4 or 5 shifts a week, and if was enough to pay the bills. Practically no one is hiring full time bartenders anymore, so it's not even a matter of getting A job but enough part time jobs to add up to at least close to a full week.

[Tree-Hugger]

108. Don't search the internet for SVdP

You won't find useful information on St. Vinnie de Paul online. You have to call a Catholic church. Find the parishes in your area and give them a call. Usually, a few parishes in one area share the local SVdP chapter responsibilities. DelCo is under the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which is huge. St. Vinnie is everywhere in the burbs. Their internet presence sucks, so it really has to be a phone call.

Manna serves North Penn in MontCo. It still wouldn't hurt to call as they may be able to point you in the right direction for your county.

[TorchTheWitch]

135. Ok, I need to find a Catholic church around here then

What sort of person should I talk to when I call? A priest or some administrator or something?

I was raised Catholic, I feel like I should know this stuff.

[ScreamingMeemie]

138. A lot of churches have a main line that's answered by an officer manager/volunteer.

I would call, and explain the situation, and he/she should be able to point you in the right direction.

[Tree-Hugger]

212. +1 nt

[MADem]

156. Address/phone number to get you started....

Blessed Virgin Mary Church
1101 Main Street
Darby, PA 19023
610-583-2128
Offers help to the needy with support from the Blessed Catherine Drexel/St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Catholic Social Services – Has two offices as noted below. A leading social service, charity and referral agency for the region.
240 North Bishop Avenue, Springfield, PA 19064, 610-626-6550
130 East 7th Street, Chester, PA 19013, 610-876-7101

http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/saint_vincent_de_paul_financia.html

[CountAllVotes]

190. St. Vincent de Paul or St. Anthony's are both excellent resources

I would check with both places if they are around where you live.

As for "who" to ask for help from at the Catholic Church, I'd go to the priest that is in charge of the local parish where you live before Mass on Sunday (tomorrow!!!). The parish priest normally says the first Mass of the day (so be wide awake and ready to go by 9:00 a.m. (check your local telephone book as often Mass schedules are printed with the parish's info.).

The parish priest will likely be more than willing to give a brief general announcement during Mass (when announcements are given) telling the parishioners of your need for immediate help. You DO NOT need to be a member of said parish to ask for help nor do you need to be Catholic for that matter. Just ask and you shall receive has been my experience and I am not a "good Catholic" by a long shot.

I would however, be sure to make the sign of the cross with Holy Water when entering and leaving the Church as it is part of the ritual and it does no harm best I can tell.

Hopefully, after Mass is over with someone will come up to you or they may even present themselves during the Mass if the parish priest says something like "raise your hand if you think you can help".

I know you don't care much for the Catholic Church but I will say this much, they've helped me out tremendously during my life when it seemed there was no where else to turn for help (like when my late mother and father were/had passed away). As of recent, I have begun going to Church again because frankly, I'm in need of quite a bit of help myself as are others in my life and no, I am not a member of any parish anywhere (never have been and never will be).

You don't need to go to see the Monsignor or anything even close to that rest assured! *whew*

I wish you the best and I wish you peace and I truly hope that your situation changes and if you'd like, I will light a candle for you at the local parish where I live. They have a nice little area set aside that is dedicated to St. Therese, one of my favorite saints, a Saint of the Roses she is said to be; a miracle of the roses is a miracle in which roses manifest an activity of God or of a saint so keep your eyes out for roses -- a sign of that an intercession is about to occur or has occurred, in any event, your prayer for help has been heard!

You might even leave a request for an intercession from St. Therese here:
http://www.littleflower.org/prayers/PrayerofPetition.asp

St. Therese is a powerful saint and she will help you if you ask. That is all you need to do.

In the meantime here is a for you and a rose to go with it ...

[MADem]

243. I don't know if the thread starter will see your comments, as they're directed at me.

If she re-reads the whole thread, she will, but she might miss your advice if she doesn't.

[CountAllVotes]

248. Advice for the OP re: The Catholic Church

If you are still interested in pursuing this line of help, please read my post that appears to be directed to MADem.

It is for YOU, yes YOU.

I hope it helps and it might bring some sanity to your situation!

Peace!!

[roody]

55. I'm not a lawyer, but if you are living in a

condemnable building, maybe you should withhold rent.

[stage left]

57. That sounds like a great idea!

[stage left]

56. K&R

for continuing visibility. Go ahead and do paypal. Lots of people have it. As someone else said evictions take time.

[glasshouses]

59. Your landlord CAN'T kick you out by Sunday , Eviction doesn't happen because he told you

he wants you out by Sunday.

It is a long legal process that could take anywhere from 4 months to 8 months

In the winter it becomes even harder for a landlord to evict .

Relax take a breath and just go look for work at a temp agency like you said.







What the fuck!

"I'll need around $2000 most of that being a month's rent "


Move to a cheaper place

[Rex]

63. IKR!? By law the landlord has to go through all legal hoops and that can't happen by Sunday.

Still, the OP sounds miserable and the place sounds like it is falling down around her shoulders. It must be hard to look for work in such horrible conditions.

I agree, look for work and save up enough to move to a better place.

[glasshouses]

64. That's insane

" I'll need around $2000 most of that being a month's rent "

[Rex]

67. I agree.

I know that a few times when I was desperate for work and almost homeless...5 dollars would go a long way. I could live a month off of 20 dollars. Not that I wanted to, I had no choice. Thankfully that only happened twice in my life and it was my fault for making horrible choices in my early 20s.

[alcina]

70. I'm feeling generous today

By your repetition of this statement, I sense you're reaching out in the hope that someone will acknowledge your outrage.

Here ya go. I'm acknowledging it.

Feel better?

I hope so.

Maybe you can put those stones away now.

[TorchTheWitch]

68. She wants the rent by Sunday

And unfortunately, she can kick me out quickly because the property is uninhabitable due to her negligence in dealing with all these massive issues. I also have a month to month lease and was told today by the attorney at the legal aid office that she can throw me out in a month without any reason at all.

I was evicted from the last place I lived and the judge gave me 30 days to get out because of there being a fire hazard in the attic that I didn't even know about. The code enforcement office came to inspect the apartments in teh building because he was doing other things we didn't know about that weren't up to code. At the hearing the code enforcement office argued that me and the other tenant should have to leave immediately, but we were lucky that we got 30 days. And that's how I ended up at this dump in the first place. I never intended to stay past the first one year lease, but when I went looking at other places they were even more expensive and just as much of a dump or worse than this place.

This was why I never complained to the code enforcement office about what was going on here... from the last experience I already knew they'd deem the property uninhabitable and this time they might have been able to throw me out immediately.

[Rex]

74. The place sounds so horrible, it must affect everything you do

including looking for work. Are there no temp agencies that you can go to? I know it sucks, but I went to one once and paid them a lot to find me a job (when I say pay, they took the money out of my first few paychecks).

It sucks...but it is money. You need to find a better environment to live in.

[glasshouses]

80. That means you can sue for rent you paid

You hold the cards not your landlord

My self I would call his bluff and tell him or her what your intentions are .

I bet he or she will back off

Then at least you can look for another job and a place to move.

Play hard ball

[REP]

83. Your landlord can't evict you Sunday, no matter how badly she wants to. You have the upper hand here

She can't rent this dump to anyone else. Your money is more money than she'll get from it empty.

She must follow procedures to evict you, or she'll lose even more money when you report the illegal eviction.

You can call Codes, who will FINE HER ASS, costing her money and any other tenants.

She loses in all scenarios.

Tell her she'll get her money when your place is to code ... or you'll start making calls.

[glasshouses]

84. Upper hand , she holds all the cards

Agree with everything you said and adding Torch the witch can actually get a portion of her rent
back if she decided to pursue it through the legal process .

[REP]

87. Get a lawyer to write a letter ....

... she might get some of that money now.

Once the landlord understands she can back down or lose all her tenants and her building - shall I make those calls now? - I'm pretty sure she can do the math.

[mimi85]

197. Good luck finding a lawyer to work for free! nt

[MADem]

244. Legal Aid of SE PA should be able to help with that.

http://www.lasp.org/

[seveneyes]

93. Unless something good was holding my intrest in the local

I would head somewhere greener. One's own happiness is critical to survival.

[alcibiades_mystery]

110. Tell the landlord to start formal eviction procedures, and you're not lifting a finger until you see

the Sheriff.

Period. There is no rush. In the interim, contact Catholic charities and tell the landlord that you're going to sue for back rent due to negligent property management.

[TorchTheWitch]

131. actually, what I pay for rent is cheap in this area

I don't even want to know how much higher rents got since I was looking around 9 years ago. The housing bubble sent rents through the roof though they were always more expensive here. Back than I looked at places even worse than this (no bathtub, no carpeting with the floor bare concrete painted battleship gray) and even smaller than this place going for about $1500. Most of the houses on this street are rentals, and I know I'm paying less than all of them. Most of them have been somewhat upgraded, but though these are row houses for some reason mine is a lot wider than everyone else's though they all have the same layout (except every other house the layout is a mirror image of the one next door). Closets were an after thought, and there is no closets in the downstairs at all, so there's no where but the basement to keep the vacuum cleaner, coats, mop, broom, etc. The bedrooms are also so tiny that the master bedroom can't hold a double bed and still have more than one dresser you'd have to stand on the bed to open the drawers.

[Fla Dem]

172. You said you were in Delaware County, Pa. A quick search of rentals in that area turned up some

in the $800 plus range. Many "seem" fairly respectable. Of course moving will mean generally a 1st month and last month's rent.

http://www.rent.com/pennsylvania/delaware-county-community-college/apartments_condos_townhouses

If you set up an go fund me account, or paypal, I'm sure we'd be glad to help you out making the transistion.


This one in Drexel Hills has a 5 Star rating and allows pets.

http://www.rent.com/pennsylvania/drexel-hill-apartments/llanerch-place-apartments-4-64337485

Llanerch Place Apartments
3206 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill PA 19026

Property Details

Awesome location, remarkable renovations!

LLanerch Place Apartments offers a wide variety of floorplans, ease to shopping, restaurants, parks and public transportation. This community has one building with a total of 84 apartment homes. The front of the building faces the Haverford Golf course and the back of the building the area recreation park. Located in Drexel Hill, PA this community is moments from Center City, Route 476, West Chester Pike and sits on Township Line Road / City Line Avenue.

Leasing Terms
Our lease terms are: 12 Months, (Please note that lease terms may vary, are subject to change without notice, and are based on availability. Inquire with property staff for complete details). Cat Policy: Pet Restrictions: Call for Details. Dog Policy: Pet Restrictions: Call for Details.

Pet Policy
Cats Allowed. Dogs Allowed. Call for service animal policy.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Then you need to find employment. Not sure what your working skills are or your physical capacity to do all types of work, but look at this and see if anything might connect with your skills and ability.

http://www.indeed.com/l-Delaware-County,-PA-jobs.html

You may not get the job of your dreams, but at least for the interim it may put some money in your pocket and keep a roof over your head.

Best of luck, and let us know when you set up an account we can contribute too and keep us apprised of your situation.

[TorchTheWitch]

205. I've got a paypal account

[e-mail]

It's funny but I used to live at the Llanerch "Palace" a long time ago. I know it well. Actually, I know most of the places on the list here well, some I've lived in. There is no complex anywhere in this area that allows large breed dogs. The last place I knew of was out in Malvern and that was back in the early '80's.

I'm totally freaked out by these rents. Dump as my place is, it's a house, and the rent is $1250. Technically it's 3 bedrooms since the large closet in the back has windows but you couldn't put a twin sized bed in it without either blocking the door or the closet. I also have a front and back yard, a big front porch, a basement and most important of all for a night worker sound proofing. Except the dingbats that inherited the house next door gutted it, ripped out the sound proofing (which is also the firewall) and sold it to the loudest neighbors on the planet. I can hear them yawn over there. I can't hear a damn thing from the family on the other side of me, and they aren't a very quiet bunch. Damn, rents now are a hell of a lot higher for what you get than when I was looking around 9 years ago.

But without a job no one is going to rent a cardboard box to me. That's the biggest problem since it's been being out of work and using up what savings I had that got me into this position, and this asshole slumlord is the one that put me in this position because of this place being a ruin that she refuses to fix.

Actually, I've often thought over the years that I'd like to remain on this little dead end street that's like a tiny neighborhood within a neighborhood but in a different house. almost all of these houses have been renovated so they have an enclosed porch that makes an extra room or makes the living room much larger like my next door neighbor's, finished basements with a half bath, central heat/air, nice big back porches and a real front door. This place still has steam heat, no a/c other than the window units I bought myself, windows that are warped and don't fit right, the heat doesn't work in this room or the back "large closet with windows" though oddly enough it now works in the bathroom which it never did before. My slumlord has done absolutely nothing since these places were built so long ago they used to have outhouses in the backyards, and it still has the original cast iron bathtub. I even have the original front door with an old rusted ornate doorknob and a huge keyhole they used those huge iron keys for that I had to put duct tape over so that nobody could stick their eye to the keyhole and see everything in the downstairs.

Gads, I've got so many irons in the fire all at once my head's spinning.

Thanks for looking into all that for me though. And yep, I found out about indeed.com just recently.

I feel sooooo much better talking about this to people finally. I'm still scared shitless but not feeling so totally defeated and entirely hopeless as before.

[bettyellen]

211. so you are in a 2-3 bedroom duplex alone? You need to save money to not face eviction a third time

and that means looking for a studio or one bedroom when this is all over. Or get a roomate. No one but the wealthy can afford that much space unless they are in the boondocks.
The extra space is not worth the stress of living beyond your means.

[TorchTheWitch]

237. seen what studios and one bedrooms go for around here?

I've never lived beyond my means. It isn't the size of the property that matters in pricing it's location and amenities. Though this place is a row house it has less square footage than the average small two bedroom though the bedrooms here are minuscule in comparison. The bathroom is a water closet. These buildings are so ancient that the bathroom was just a tub and a sink and the outhouses were in the back yards. They didn't have closets in those days either since people used big pieces of furniture to put their stuff in, so the closets here are only in the bedrooms by putting a door in a corner of the room creating a small triangular closet. None of the doorways or windows are the same height or width. This place still has the wiring outside the walls that are enclosed in a square tube-like covering. There are VERY few electrical outlets since people didn't have much more than a lamp to plug in back then. My place has the original cast iron tub coated with some kind of weird paint that's sloughing off that is short and narrow but so deep I can have bath water up to my chin. It's not easy for a short person like me to get in and out of though since it's so high. I also have the original door with the giant intricately molded metal knob with a huge ancient keyhole that used to take an old fashioned big iron key.

Apparently you've not read a thing I've said. When I was evicted from the place I lived before here it was because of code violations by the landlord one of which was a fire hazard in the attic. I SAID I had a good job with a lot of savings when I was forced out of that place. And that place was a HUGE two bedroom with a bathroom so enormous you echoed in it. The kitchen/dining room alone was TWICE the square footage of my entire first floor in this place. I had the entire top floor of a two story building with one other tenant that lived in half the size of my place because the other half was a commercial business. I only worked about 20 hours a week but it was physically grueling and mentally difficult in some ways though at that time I loved it 99% of the time. And for that 20 hours I averaged about $1000 a week take home, and there were a lot of times I made twice or more. I had so much in savings when I was evicted from there that I paid the entire first year's rent here to make certain it was rented to me since I had only that week to find a place to rent, and it was in the middle of the winter when there are only a fraction of available rental dwellings.

I've been in this place for 10 years doing great until last March when these house emergencies I had to deal with myself caused me to lose my job. I've been living off my savings for a year and for the very first time in my 50 year life I've not been able to get another job right away though if I was a 20-something I'd have had dozens of jobs by now. I've lost count of how many people have said right to my face that I'm too "old" to bartend though I'm good looking and can still pass for being in my 30's especially in the low light of a bar. Nevermind that there are TONS of old, bald, fat, mean, ugly MEN with giant wet armpit stains on their shirts and smell like a dead mackerel tending bar.

My slumlord doesn't want to evict me because of one month's missed rent and a partial payment the month before, she wants me out because since she caused me to lose my job I've been on her ass about getting stuff fixed in here and furious with her that it cost me my job and not only that cost me a reference from them. And she still wasn't doing jack shit about fixing anything. All that time I was paying the rent, and she had no idea if I still had a job or not or a ton of savings or a sugardaddy or what. She wants me out because she has no intention of fixing jack shit and wants to pull a scam on me, get my complaining ass out and once again not fix anything and just cover over the cosmetic problems without fixing the actual problems.

Tell me again how you think it's MY fault that I got evicted by the last landlord who I paid every cent of rent to, had a great job and so much savings that I paid the current slumlord the entire first year's rent including security deposit and last month's rent and lived here just fucking fine until HER gross negligence in fixing stuff caused me to lose my job adds up to "living beyond my means"? This evil beast of a scam artist fraudster is destroying my life and you have the fucking nerve to not only blame ME for the negligence of these landlords not keeping the properties they rent up to code and call it "living beyond my means". Go take a look at the photos of what this satan's spawn has been doing to me and say that vile disgusting shit again.

[bettyellen]

250. Sorry you are going through this, but a one bedroom is always much cheaper than a 3BR duplex.

When you are comparing similar quality apts- this is always. You are getting bonus space because it's falling apart, you could have gotten a smaller place that was sturdier- that is how the market works.

I have been in pretty much the same situation- twice- a bigger than I needed apartment (with tiny closets, a hole in the ceiling, others' sewage pumping into my kitchen, dangerous wiring) crumbling around me, causing loads of stress and barely able to afford a studio in the same neighborhood. So I looked at studios that were in better shape. And worked like a dog at all sorts of jobs to make sure I had some money coming in and an employment reference when I found that studio. I know it ain't easy, and I know from sucky landlords, and they don't suddenly change.

I did not say it was "your fault" but you are an adult and could have been coping with this many months ago instead of allowing everything to spin out of control to the extent you have. A smaller place, a bigger place with room mates, part time or temp jobs, govt assistance anything but waiting till it all goes to shit and begging for a bailout from strangers.

I'm sure you can work and be great at it, not sure why it is taking a year- or why you seem to keep renting huge places that are falling apart. Seems to me you should realize the value of a place that is in sturdy shape - and accept the trade off of a smaller place. Hate to see you make that mistake a third time. Good luck with your job search!

[Sissyk]

60. TtW, please keep us updated on a gofundme account

or paypal account.

[TorchTheWitch]

71. cripes, I still can't figure out what info I'm supposed to use for people

to put money in the account!

Can someone help me out with this?

[mimi85]

198. PayPal is pretty self-explanatory.

You may have to figure some of this stuff out on your own. How much are you paying for the net and your smartphone?

[Tree-Hugger]

213. Typical

"How much are you paying for the net and your smartphone?"

[TorchTheWitch]

242. as embarrassing as it is I still don't even know what a smartphone is

I have a pretty regular cellphone and no landline. I use FIOS which comes out of my bank account automatically every month which is around $75 and I don't have to pay it again until the end of the month.

The phone and internet are must have's for getting a job.

[Android3.14]

61. Another game of "why don't you-yes but"

Many of us have been in similar situations. If there is one thing I have learned, this too shall pass.

If your situation is legitimate, then it's time to make some hard decisions rather than play social games.

[phil89]

77. Exactly. This is getting tiresome.

We all have needs, I don't see why this kind of thread is appropriate.

[roody]

92. Tired? Don't read it. eom

[Liberal_in_LA]

101. cold hearted bastards

[LiberalElite]

104. I know - kind of gives the lie to the assumption that

DUers are all so warm n' fuzzy, you know, caring, helpful, compassionate people. Some of these posters could cross over to the GOP and be right at home.

[ND-Dem]

124. that's because they ARE gop.

[phil89]

252. No I'm not gop.

Not sure why skepticism is mystifying to you. I don't think cyber begging is appropriate. There are resources in place to assist.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

147. Sometimes libertarians figure out they want health insurance and start identifying as Democrats.

You'll know them by their words and deeds.

[LiberalElite]

103. Are we all being evicted? nt

[uppityperson]

106. Check out this link, to hide this thread. Welcome to Du, where people help each other.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6221474#

[ScreamingMeemie]

111. Speaking for myself, I know where I'll be sleeping tonight, next week, next month...

...

And I am willing to share what I have with my community. It's that simple. Instead of spitting on someone, why not move on by?

[ND-Dem]

123. maybe you should go to a winger site, then.

[Starry Messenger]

126. Wow. fyb.

Both of your needs are apparently a heart.

[WillowTree]

136. That's cold. If you so easily tired, why even open a thread like this.

She's got plenty of problems already. She doesn't need your unkind exhaustion dumped all over her, too.

[phil89]

255. Assuming any of it is true.

The poster seems to good at finding ways not to find assistance. Someone suggested a catholic charity and she immediately goes into explaining she doesn't know who to talk to at a charity. Freaking seriously?? Pick up the phone, call and ask questions!

[SammyWinstonJack]

215. Wow!

[uppityperson]

105. FWIW, Admin has said these types of threads are allowed by them, up to members to

decide whether or not they are ok but they said they are allowed without need to check with them first. Back on DU2, permission was needed, but not on DU3.

[Android3.14]

114. Thanks uppityperson

It's good to know.

It was an error on the part of Admin, to allow this sort of scam to occur. They take advantage of persons with good intentions but a deficit in commonsense.

[ScreamingMeemie]

119. With all the respect in the world, you DO you, and I'll DO me.

What I choose to do or not do with my own hard-earned money is up to me. While I don't always agree with Torch, she is a constant in our community, someone I enjoy reading in the Pets forum and an all around good person.

You don't get to make decisions/assumptions about the common sense (it's two words, not one) of others when you have no idea who they are.

I give to people because I want to. End of story.

You can correct the "error on the part of Admin" as it affects you by simply hiding the thread that the rest of us "simpletons" are participating in.

This post reminds me so much of the people who claimed Andy Stephenson was a fraud and we were all fools...and then he was dead.

[riderinthestorm]

120. +1 million....

RIP Andy...

[Android3.14]

167. For someone with so many postings

You sure don't have much to say with any substance.

"What I choose to do or not do with my own hard-earned money is up to me." Tell that to the tax man, the grocery store or the pharmacy.

"You don't get to make decisions/assumptions about the common sense (it's two words, not one) of others when you have no idea who they are." But you do? Kettle, meet pot.

[lisby]

171. Why don't you take yourself to a post that pleases you?

And I do hope, truly, that you never find yourself in a world of hurt, because no one is going to lift a finger. Really.

[Android3.14]

173. Been there.

I found help through state agencies for LiHEAP assistance, rental assistance, WIC and the local food pantry, used clothing store, etc.

It was a rough time, and we had to move to a smaller apartment to make our expenses match our resources.

I fail to understand why you would think no one would lift a finger to help me. When we were in our rough spot and I asked in my town, showed the proof of our situation when applying for assistance, and went to the local organizations for assistance, I was taking the pragmatic steps necessary to deal with things, and I received the assistance my tax dollars went towards and the previous support I'd made to the Good Shepherd store and the food pantry.

You seem to be saying that, because I am not falling all over myself to help some anonymous person online with a sob story asking for one heck of chunk of change, that somehow I deserve for karma to bite me on the ass. You have no idea who I am or what I have done outside of the text I leave here in my wake.

I could claim that I've spearheaded fundraisers that raised tens of thousands of dollars to support homeless people and other progressive causes. Claim I've given money out of my pocket so my coworkers could make ends meet when the auto repair shop screwed her over, or even claim I donated the money for a new home buyer to purchase their rental home in order to keep the rent from going through the roof.

Would you believe it? I wouldn't. Not without proof.

Just like the OP, I could write anything. Just like these sockpuppets running up to chime in with a claim that they sent money to this person's PayPal account, you have no way of knowing anything anyone says online is true, and only a damn fool would give money to someone with an Internet sob story.

All I can say is, whatever.

[Android3.14]

253. Do they call you Legion?

It is so odd that some of the so-called posters seem to think that a person who questions the basis of this thread deserves to suffer. A post such as yours calls into question the sincerity of your expressed commitment and enthusiasm to help others.

Why would anyone ask for money in order to stay in a situation as awful as the one the OP describes?

I recognize that I come off as acerbic, but the caution I am promoting is good advice. The longer this thread goes on, the more unreliable the OP appears, especially with these weird personal attacks.

[samsingh]

251. agree and disagree

if your point is that we don't really have any way of knowing if the story is real - I agree.

if the story is real, I sympathize and hope the situation improves.

However - I don't understand why someone will stay in a 3 bedroom apartment that is crappy and not in a 1 room apartment, or with some friend/family until the situation gets better.

[Android3.14]

254. I think you ask the key question

Why would someone beg for money in order to maintain such an awful situation?

The answer or lack of an answer to that question forms the base of pragmatic caution.

[haele]

266. Because she has a large dog, and it's difficult to get a rental that allows large pets?

Or is some other situation, like - it costs more three times the money to move than it does to stay where you are, even if you are in a crappy situation - and she doesn't have a job. Or you don't have the strength and time to pack everything up, find a safe place for them, or move them within 30 days. Or, maybe, you're just overwhelmed, and can't cope with moving just yet because you're busy looking for a job and don't want to move until you have one locked down. Maybe you have an significant investment in a garden that you don't want to give up or don't know how to take with you if you move.
Maybe it isn't the perfect place to live, but from what it sounded like, if her landlord had kept up with repairs properly, she would have been perfectly happy to stay there - after all, she put up with the landlord's BS for ten years until it started affecting her job last year.

To many people, it's "Just sell everything and move", or "if she just trades the dog she has in for a smaller one so she can get a better/cheaper place - if she just does all that, it's all hunky dory. It's sooo simple when someone is comfortable or young, right?

Look, I've never lived in one place for more than five years my entire 55 years of life. I'm an expert in moving "clean" - whether it was a month-to-month or year lease, I've always got the security deposit back with no more than 5% off for any cleaning or re-renting fees. When I was young, moving was basically just an "inconvenience".
But during the past five years, I've moved a full 3-bedroom household with pets and a disabled spouse just "across town" three times. It's a hard, expensive, three-four month long f***g full-time job that can't be done for the price of a "first and last month's deposit" and a weekend with a bunch of friends and co-workers for the cost of a couple pizzas and six-packs of beer. The last time, it cost at least $5K, if I wanted to get even half of the deposit back. Each time, I had to make the cost-benefit estimation of when to move, and start seriously saving at least six months in advance to pay just for the movers - not to mention the "first and last" or any lease-breaking fees, throwing the dice as to whether they would be raising the rent the 2 - 3% a year they were allowed that year instead of the next.
And I have a decent paying job (not really that good, but around the median for the city residents).

Torch the Witch is living on savings, and looking for a job now. If she has the resources to move, and a place that was acceptable for her to live in long term, don't you think she would have moved by now instead of asking for help?
She might be able to come up with first and last rent for a cheap place, she probably has to rely on the kindness of strangers to move the items that are important in her life, and give up those members of her family that this new place probably won't accept.
Living alone, or with dependents (i.e., pets) it's a daunting task to move. I don't judge her on what her cost-benefit estimation for what she needs to do for her situation is.

Haele

[samsingh]

269. i'm not judging or expecting

when we are dealing with anonymous people over a discussion board, it's really difficult to know if someone is telling the truth or not.

peace.

[kentauros]

180. I call it "Conditional Compassion"

and it's rampant on DU. Supposed "liberals" that have way too many conditions on whether or not someone gets the help they need, and in what form. Or they're paranoid that it's a scam and then become concerned about how we use our money and/or services in attempting to help out.

Basically, putting their noses in our/other people's business because they can't fathom how anyone could not think just like them.

[MrMickeysMom]

194. I so agree, and thus will share results of jury service...

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service
Mail Message
On Sat Feb 14, 2015, 02:04 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Thanks uppityperson
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6222881

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

"scam" -heartless right-wing a-hole making du suck...

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sat Feb 14, 2015, 02:17 PM, and the Jury voted 2-5 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I don't think this is hide-worthy.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Heartless as it reads, it's not hurtful. Administration probably recognized that, so who gives a shit what alerted thinks was rightful by the administration. It's their board, not the alerters. So, trash the fucking thread, but let this jackass remark stand!
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[stage left]

235. + a billion

I will err on the side of compassion as well. If it makes me the fool sometimes, so be it. It's nice to be in a position to do something to help someone. I'm not always in that position. It gives me joy.

[uppityperson]

121. I would like to see what evidence you have this is a scam. Please post it or retract that. Thank you

[Android3.14]

165. Evidence? Really?

You want me to produce evidence that a stranger typing behind an Internet pseudonym is scamming people before you would want to make sure that an online request to gain money was legitimate?

Are you high?

A person who has been posting for years claims ignorance of fundamental Internet avenues such as gofundme and PayPal is without credibility. Claiming they are unable to access any public services for help before coming to a community with a high percentage of sympathetic-but-overly-trusting people would be another indication of dissembling.

This might not be a scam, but when someone begs for a couple of thousand dollars, plays one of the most common social games, and does so from the faux anonymity of a social network of a heavy liberal community, a smart advocate for social justice would err on the side of caution.

If this isn't a scam, then the OP needs to make serious decisions, advocate for himself or herself through the local support systems, and stop playing games long before they start asking strangers for money.

You're welcome.

[uppityperson]

183. You have nothing, gotcha. Neither did those claiming Andy was scamming. eom

[marym625]

187. Thank you

You're a good person. But I already knew that

[Android3.14]

191. Nope.

All I have is a sharp-honed sense of caution.

At this point, I don't know anything about this Andy thing you are referencing.

[Kali]

200. well, geefuckingwiz...

you would thing anybody that has been on the internet or Du for any length of time would know about Andy....

god damn, you are being an insufferable, heartless ass. get out of this thread and think about a different political site as well.

[Android3.14]

201. Do you have a point?

Thought not.

[Kali]

204. ...

A person who has been posting for years claims ignorance of fundamental Internet avenues such as gofundme and PayPal is without credibility.

you use this as evidence of a lack of credibility? I would think it was more like proof they are desperate and doing this for the first time.

either way, your attitude in this thread is disgusting. if you don't want to see the suffering of other human beings, keep your eyes forward and go on your way. You don't need to ADD to it by suggesting they are running a scam or have credibility issues. YOU are the one lacking in credibility here.

have a nice day. In the classic Amerigo Vespucci way.

[Android3.14]

208. My credibility isn't in question

In fact, it's really about commonsense behavior and recognition of social games. The behavior I've observed on this thread, from the OP, the overly strenuous attacks directed at anyone who questions the situation, the caustic attacks by some of the long-time super-duper posters (odd how people with high posting numbers assume others will see this as a virtue of credibility rather than an indication of the exact opposite), to the newbies jumping in with enthusiastic proclamations of how they made their donation to this cause are all strong signs that there is something seriously off about the situation and that caution is the best policy.

Your insults are ineffective because the only metaphorical coin of any real value in these types of interactions is clarity of thought, consistency of persona and the ability to change your opinion in the face of convincing rhetoric.

If I am wrong, I learn from it rather than double down on the error, just because I might look bad.

But please proceed. Send your money. If the OP is scamming, the worst that could happen is you encourage him or her to do it again, perhaps taking advantage of other innocent marks who haven't learned the lessons that experience brings. The best thing is that the OP is telling the truth and the $2000 allows the OP to continue living in a situation self-described as unreasonable.

Or would that be worse than the latter? The ROI is such that the only reasonable move is not to do anything.

[ND-Dem]

220. Your credibility is very much in question.

[ND-Dem]

125. well, maybe you better tell the admin how they're getting scammed then. do it quick! someone

might get something they don't 'deserve'.

btw, the poster who needs help has been here for years. since 2003. way longer than you. and has nearly 11,000 posts. a lot more than you.

so I imagine people know who she is a lot better than they know who you and your friend are.

[Android3.14]

164. Couldn't care less that someone receives something they don't deserve

I'm more concerned of someone playing the unhealthy social game of "why don't you - yes but" than someone taking advantage of another's good nature.

Of course the OP could be a scam, but that could be true of anything. The interaction the person evoked from the community is more of a cry for attention than a request for help.

[ND-Dem]

184. which you, with your powerful mind-reading ability, know to be a fact. thanks for helping those

who don't have your super-powers.

again, tell the site owners if you think there's a problem.

[Android3.14]

192. I did tattle

Someone responded that the owners decided to leave it to the people foolish enough to do this sort of thing.

It was a libertarian response, and I appreciated it. Still, the good advice to people is to not engage in this sort of social game, and to exercise healthy skepticism before throwing actual funds at it.

[ND-Dem]

196. sure, anonymous guy. funny that 'ttw' has been a member for 11 years, has over 10K

posts, is well-known to old-timers, and and this is the first timeshe's engaged in this so-called 'social game' in all those years.

whereas "Android3.14" is....?

[Android3.14]

199. Android3.14 is the guy with no dog in the race

Darn, I only have nine years of posting anonymously. Amazing how that has nothing to do with competence, or the ability to make strategic decisions.

So if someone has a lot of posts, it's okay to give them money, because that posting number means that person is more trustworthy?

I will give that bit of insight the thought it deserves...moving on.

[ND-Dem]

207. <2000 posts. people get to know people by repeated interactions with them.

[Android3.14]

209. Only if the person posting is honest

Otherwise the mental model each of us may have of a deceiver on this board is inaccurate regardless of the number of posts.

Oh look, I just hit 2001 posts.

[ND-Dem]

219. right. torch the witch posted over 10,000 posts in 11 years, just to deceive people in prep-

aration for asking them for help with her rent.

sure, android.

[Android3.14]

222. Oh, if this is deception

I'd bet it was for more than rent.

[uppityperson]

227. Just like Scamdy. eom

[uppityperson]

228. on DU for 8 yrs, says doesn't know about Andy and cautions us.

Yup, their credibility is in question.

[ScreamingMeemie]

229. I decided not to waste my breath on replying.

My message was clear; he/she chooses to continue with the idiocy of his/her stance.

Happy Valentine's Day uppity.

[LeftishBrit]

239. WOW!

You really mean that?

You really mean that you are 'more concerned of someone playing the unhealthy social game of "why don't you - yes but" than someone taking advantage of another's good nature'?

You are more concerned about whether someone is playing 'unhealthy social games' (according to mostly-discredited 1970s pop-psychology), than about their own needs, or for that matter about whether others may be conned???

THAT is one of the most shocking things that I've read/heard in a long time!

In any case, my anger at your post has motivated me to give twice as much as I was originally intending, so it served some good purpose!

[roody]

149. Have you ever experienced the

joy of giving?

[ND-Dem]

223. winger trolls are incapable of it.

[SammyWinstonJack]

221. Holy crap! Jaded much?

Scam? deficit in commonsense

You apparently have a deficit in empathy.

[phil89]

256. Nope I'm just not gullible

I tend to be skeptical about these things. Bet the scammers see you coming a mile away, but that's just not for me.

[pipi_k]

262. Been reading this thread

Last edited Mon Feb 16, 2015, 11:42 PM - Edit history (1)

with interest since it was started and have been biting my fingers to keep myself from jumping in, but now I feel like I have to say something, especially in defense of people who are, as you put it, "jaded" and "have a deficit in empathy".


I wonder why so many people think that someone who is jaded lacks empathy. How do people think someone got that way in the first place?

Answer: By having empathy.

People who have been scammed in the past aren't heartless asshole bastards.

Now, I'm not going to claim that the OP is a scammer, because I don't know. And, contrary to what some people may claim about someone NOT being a scammer because of the number of posts they have, or the length of membership, that's pretty much a useless measuring stick by which to judge.

Case in point...a whole lot of people on a discussion group for anxiety disorders got freaked out and emotionally scammed when one of the LONG TIME and fully trusted members faked his own death. One day his "brother" posts saying that the guy had died. Someone suspected a bit of fakery, and after some investigation, the ruse was uncovered. The guy apologized, but the damage had already been done. Why did he do it? Who the hell knows?

So. Instead of so-called "compassionate" people understanding that someone else might be skeptical...untrusting..."jaded"...they call someone who may have been emotionally or financially scammed an asshole. Great.



At the end of it all, I have no idea as to the honesty of the OP.

I know that some people don't care if, and how many times, they get screwed over or scammed. That's fine for them.

But they don't have the right to tell someone expressing a bit of skepticism that they are lacking in empathy. Maybe skeptical people just got tired of being, or seeing others, be victimized.



And PS, on edit:

Another DUer reached out to say she's in a similar situation. Just the other day she said she was going to leave DU, and was convinced to stay by people who said some pretty nasty things to other people who said they found "GBCW" posts to be suspect.

I had to do some digging, but I found her OP saying that she's having financial problems as well.

It got exactly TWO replies, and I'm wondering why.

Is there some kind of double standard at play here?

[NikolaC]

62. Kick

There are great options offered earlier in this thread for assistance. If you set up a GoFundMe page, I would love to help by donating. Kindly let us know how it goes and all the best to you!

As an aside, responses like the ones in this thread are one of the reasons why I love DU some days. So many of the members here are compassionate, helpful and understanding.

[ColesCountyDem]

66. Kick for visibility.

I can't help financially, because I'm in the same boat, but I can help keep it kicked for you.

[frylock]

72. kicking

I'd like to help as well. Please post your PayPal info when you get an opportunity.

[cherokeeprogressive]

73. If I had your email address, I'd have already sent money through PayPal. That's the bottom line.

I've searched the thread though and don't see your email address even though you've been told here that all anyone needs is the email address you used to set up the PayPal account.

I'm wondering why.

Like I said; I would have already sent the money as I'm sure lots of other DUers would have.

[ScreamingMeemie]

97. It looks like she posted it right after you posted this.

[e-mail]

[cherokeeprogressive]

107. And my PayPal says I sent it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

112. .

[Fumesucker]

75. Kick for visibility

[TorchTheWitch]

79. Ok, I think this is all I need for the paypal account

[e-mail]

Can someone let me know if there's anything else I need to do to make my account accessable to you lovely people willing to help?

[stage left]

86. Hey Torch the Witch.

No problems with this info. That's all it takes. I sent a little your way. I'm sure a lot of others will do the same. Duers are a helpful lot. Hoping things get brighter for you and Yoshi.

[riderinthestorm]

89. Here's TTS's email address folks! Please donate! Nt

[madamvlb]

94. How are you donating?

Is the gofundme account set up?

[riderinthestorm]

100. TTW has a PayPal account. You have to have one as well

It's very easy to set one up if you don't... Just follow the directions.

When/ if you do have an account, simply log in. Go to the "Tools" icon on the top bar. Enter TTW's email address and the amount you want to donate.

Select the icon for "I'm sending $ to family and friends".

Review. You can also add a message if you like.

Hit send!

Welcome to DU! TTW has been here a long while and I know how touched she is (I am!) when DUers new and old help out.

[emsimon33]

157. You will need a bank account or a credit card

I have had a PayPal account for years so I couldn't remember how I set it up. I used another email address and started a new account just to see. You will need a bank account or a debit card or a credit card--PayPal needs some way to get the money to you. When I registered, I had to write a check for $1.00 so PayPal knew that the account information was valid (I guess that is why I needed to write them a $1.00 check).

Another way to get money quickly is Western Union--Just a suggestion.

Gofundme is a great idea but I don't know how long it will take.

Finally, there was a DUer who had a website to fund people in need and she funded several people on DU. I don't remember her name or ID but someone else on DU may.

I have not been posting on DU because I grew tired of the trolls and the failure of Skinner, ELad, etc. not to stop all the ugliness, but I was touched by your situation while I was lurking.

[kentauros]

181. DUer OneGrassRoot often has threads like this to help people :)

OneGrassRoot has a site called Wishadoo with a section on fundraising to help people. She's used it successfully in the past to help people in similar situations.

[emsimon33]

224. Thank you. Yes, that's it.

She used to alert DUers who had helped before to new ones in need. She seemed very successful in helping people.

[backwoodsbob]

81. almost 2,000 a month for a dump with holes in the ceiling?

where do you live?

[Tree-Hugger]

90. Philly burbs

I don't know which area she is in specifically, but iapartments can be pretty expensive around here. If I read correctly, the $2,000 is not for one month?

[ScreamingMeemie]

96. I think she said 2 months.

Which sounds about right for a place a landlord doesn't care much about in that area.

[Tree-Hugger]

98. That makes sense

That would be $1,000/mo rent, which is very common in these burbs.

[notadmblnd]

82. Did you work in 2014 and have you filed your taxes for this past year?

Federal refunds are only taking about a week to be sent out.

[Tree-Hugger]

88. To add to this

Please google IRS VITA. Again, my phone is an ass and I can't copy and paste. VITA is Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. You should be eligible in your situation. They will help you 100% step by step getting your 2014 income taxes filed. All you need is your W2 from the craphole that fired you.

[MelissaB]

95. Kick!

[happyslug]

109. I check your profile, you are in the "Philly burbs" which means Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has several programs to help low income people who fall behind in rent. First is the Housing Assistance Program run by the Pa Department of Welfare. They can pay up to $400 if the landlord will continue to rent to you ANd you can resume rent payment afterwards. I read that you applied for Food Stamps, but knowing Welfare they did NOT tell you of the Housing Assistance program.

Now, if you apply to Welfare, watch them. They like verbal Denials. If they verbally tell you that you are NOT eligible, and you then leave, you were NOT denied the service, you withdrew your application. I have had several clients make application, get a verbal denial, I send them back to get a written denial, they never come back for they are approved.

Community Action is another source for revenue to pay rent. Similar rules as to the Housing Assistance Program.

Please note, both programs can also be used to pay for moving to a new home. Make the Applications and get a written Denial.

You also should contact the various aid agencies in your area. Catholic Charities is always a good place to start (and you do NOT have to be Catholic to apply). They do NOT have the resources of the Department of Welfare or Community Action but they often can provide the little money to help someone in your situation. These agencies also know each other, so by going to one, they often will tell you of others. The people who are running these programs do want to help people in need, but do to financial resources $50 or so is all they can provide, but it does add up.

PA EVICTION PROCEDURE:

As to the actual eviction. Pennsylvania law is quite clear on how an eviction is to take place. First you MUST be given a WRITTEN eviction notice. Since you are behind in rent, the notice should include a demand for rent. This notice can be hand written. It does NOT have to be notarized. It MUST be given to you personally or posted on your front door. Certified mail is NOT sufficient if you do not sign for it (it may be sufficient if you signed for it, for that shows the letter carrier personally handed you the notice). First class mail is NOT sufficient. A Verbal Eviction is NOT sufficient.

Now, Community Action and the Department of Public Welfare will often ask for a Notarized Eviction Notice. This is NOT a requirement that the Actual eviction notice be Notarized, but that you took the Notice to Legal Services in your county and had them notarized a statement they will type on the back of the Notice that you received that notice. I do not make up these rules, I just tell my clients what the rules are. This relates to getting Housing Assistance and Community Action assistance that I mentioned above.

Now the "notice to quit" (The name given to such notice under State Law) has to have a ten day eviction period on it (or a lesser time, if that is set forth in any written lease you signed). At the end of that ten day period, then and only then can they file in Magistrate District Court a Landlord and Tenant Complaint. The Complaint will be served on you and it will contain a hearing date, not less then five days after it was filed in the Magistrate Court but no more then ten days from that date.

Side note: Depending on the Magistrate the scheduling may be longer than ten days.

Now at the hearing the Magistrate will ask you are you behind in rent and when you say yes, he will give you 10 days to be out or file an appeal. If you do NOT file an appeal within that 10 day period, a constable will serve on you another notice that he will come back in 10 more days (20 days from the hearing date) and physically remove you.

While self help eviction is NOT legal in Pennsylvania (i.e. the landlord locking you out of your apartment) it is done. If you find yourself locked out of your apartment AND it was NOT done by a Constable subject to the procedure set forth above, your landlord had NO LEGAL RIGHT TO LOCK YOU OUT. Thus you can break back into your Rental unit and reclaim possession. You are liable for any damage you do to break back in, but you are the person with the right of possession till a Judge says otherwise.

Now, the ten day appeal period is set by Law after the Magistrate Hearing. In that period you can file an appeal to Common Pleas Court for that Court to hear the case. There are Two ways to file the appeal (and both MUST be done within the 10 day period).

1. File the appeal by posting the lesser of three months rent as determined by the Magistrate Judge OR the amount of Rent due.

2. If you meet the requirements of being someone of low income and can file In Forma Pauperis (IFP) all you have to post as a bond is ONE MONTHS RENT.

Legal Services does this type of appeal all the time for low Income people. I would give them a call. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania covers the Philly burbs, see them for legal help:

http://www.lasp.org/

Please note, if an appeal is filed and you post the one month rent as bond, you have to pay your monthly rent to the Prothonotary (Clerk of Court - Civil Division in the rest of the States) of whatever county you are in. As long as you make those payments you can stay in your rental unit till a hearing is set up in Common Pleas Court. In common pleas court, you file the appeal, which includes a "Rule" on the Landlord to file a "Complaint". Once the landlord files the Complaint, you file an "Answer" and the case is then set for a hearing in front of a Judge.

My advice to anyone in your situation, if you do get a "Notice to Quit" from your landlord, contact Legal Services in your County, Each Pennsylvania County has its own rules and they know what those rules are in your county.

I wish I could help you financially, but right now I am broke.


Please note, in my experience in Western Pennsylvania, if a landlord has a in-habitable house they will NOT pay the $125 filing fee to evict you. Thus the above may become moot quickly. They will try everything else first, including turning off Public Utility Services. If you are NOT paying for such service (and you should NOT be UNLESS you have complete control over the usage of that service from the meter onward) AND it is NOT a municipally owned utility service (Water and Sewerage tend to be provided by local Municipalities), if the utility company is told to terminate service by the Landlord, they have to contact you first to see if you agree, and if you do NOT, they can NOT terminate the service.

Electricity is the most common form of such Public Utility commission (PUC) regulated Public Utilities. PECO is such a regulated utility. Sounds like PECO is working with you. You do not mention heat, so I am presuming that is being provided by the Landlord. If that is the case inform the Natural Gas Provider that you are renting your rental unit. The Landlord SHOULD have done that, but almost none do, but if the Natural Gas provider knows the property is leased, they know to contact the tenants before terminating Natural Gas service when such termination is requested by the landlord.

Also, you are taking "anxiety meds". I do NOT want to go into details on the types of meds or your problems, but if you are seeing a Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and/or therapist more the once a month you MAY be unemployable under Social Security Disability Regulations. For most people if you are going to miss more than one day a month form work, to see any of the above on a constant basis (i.e. one year or longer) then you are unemployable. If you are going to miss work more then once a month on a constant basis, you are unemployable.

Being unemployable do to disability makes you eligible for Social Security Disability (Or Supplemental Security Income, SSI, if do NOT have work record to be eligible for Social Security Disability, or what you get on Social Security Disability is Less then the "Standard of Need" which is $741 in 2015. SSI is reduced by how much Social Security Disability you do get).

I did see you did talk to a Legal Aid Lawyer, the problem is till the Landlord actually gives you an eviction notice OR files in Magistrate Court, they is nothing they can do. On the other hand apply for the programs above and lets see what happens.

[riderinthestorm]

128. Excellent advice. BIG kick!! Nt

[JimDandy]

150. A really exceptional reply.

Info like this can be as helpful as money

[peace13]

166. Amazing response!

You rock!

[TorchTheWitch]

247. this is so great!

I had to copy all this and put it in a word processing file for reference.

One of my brothers was helping me out all week with finding resources, phone numbers, info, etc. He got me hooked up with all of these which is mostly what I was doing all week and seaking out other avenues.

I already talked to the legal aid office. The nasty piece of work that took my call interrupted every time I tried to say anything, was unbelievably condesending and it seemed to me that she was pissed off at me for interrupting her usual rehersed interrogation. I very nearly told her that if she questioned a witness like that she'd be reprimanded by the judge and the jury would hate her client because they hated her.

I have no idea why I'd not thought of it before, but I didn't spend all those years as a paralegal without having attorney resources. And I know just the person to call. I wish it wasn't the weekend when that dawned on me or I would have thrown myself on the phone.

I'm employable. I can't stand the very idea of my ever not being employable. Since I lost my job I've been going stark raving mad not having work totally aside from the income from working... what on earth does one do all day with their brain without having some kind of thing to spend one's time, mind and effort on? Without work I feel like I have no purpose and no interaction with the rest of the world.

PECO bills for both electricity and gas. I've actually never known it to be any different.

My slumlord provide anything for her tenant? Sorry, but that just makes me want to laugh hysterically just to try to picture. Knowing her as I do she's so completely self-absorbed and narcasistic she wouldn't piss on her own kids if they were on fire. She'd accuse them of fraudulently trying to steal her piss. I'm serious, that's exactly how she thinks and is totally oblivious to how outrageous that kind of thinking is and how it slaps others in the face.

The slumlord does not want me to stay. She knows that the conditions here and her refusal to fix a damn thing puts her in a very bad position. Extraordinarily bad. She wants me out ASAP because she's scared about anyone finding out about the outrageous gross neglect of this property she's responsible for.

[happyslug]

249. My practice is to try to address as man of the legal problems of my clients that I can

Unemployment, Disability and evictions often go hand in hand thus I addressed them. I have been accused of being rough on the phone, so I have to say a lot of phone calls Legal Services get tend to be handed well, but occasionally we do it badly. That does not mean the person you talked to may not talk to you again and do a good job, but a lot of question we get tend to be the same questions and thus the same answer. We do try to address the problems of the clients, but we do fail. If you have any questions send me an E-mail.

[msanthrope]

265. Are you in Philly proper? I've done tenancy work in Philly. nt

[greatlaurel]

113. Kick for visiblitly.

Good luck to you and Yoshi. Having a pet makes it so much harder to finding a place. You have to take care of your dog. Hang in there and follow the good advice from all the smart Du-ers.

Keep us posted.

[LibDemAlways]

116. I sent a little something through

Paypal. I hope your circumstances improve very soon. I know how tough it can be. DUers have your back.

[LiberalSoWhat]

117. I can empathize

I am homeless, myself. Been in this situation for a couple of months. Most night sleeping in the car. I've been interviewing for jobs right-and-left, so far, no luck, but still hopeful. I would love to help if I could, I actually setup a GoFundMe account a few weeks ago myself, to try and get repairs made on the car. So, TorchTheWitch, I can definitely empathize. Wish you all the best of luck.

[riderinthestorm]

129. What can we do for you?! Welcome to DU! Nt

[LiberalSoWhat]

133. Thanks

Actually been a member for while, but only posted a few times previously. Just wanted the OP to know that they are not alone. When I setup my GoFundMe account, it was hard. I felt embarrassed, like I had failed at life.

[riderinthestorm]

139. Post a link to your PayPal acct! Who knows what can happen.

And never be embarrassed.

We care here.

[LiberalSoWhat]

142. Gratitude

While that was not my intent with my reply to the OP, I appreciate the thought.

PayPal email address:

[e-mail]

Thank you

[misterhighwasted]

143. What is your gofundme acct? If you don't mind posting it here on DU that is.

Some here may want to send a bit your way also.

[LiberalSoWhat]

146. Humbled

Thank you, I am humbled.

http://gofundme.com/laz0hk

[aprilschimke]

278. it looks like I'm a little late posting this :( definitely just need a little help. at a loss

http://www.gofundme.com/ghsqbw


Even 10 dollars would be amazing.
I'm at a loss with no where to turn.

[uppityperson]

279. Welcome to DU. please tell us more about you, how did you find us, who you are

etc etc

[TorchTheWitch]

270. and the best to you!

If I wasn't in this slumlord mess I'd offer you a roof here but I may end up in my car soon myself. Luck to both of us getting employment ASAP! I hope you're at least somewhere warm. No one should ever be reduced to this.

[James48]

118. YOUR paypal now works

I just successfully sent a few bucks to
your paypal account at: [e-mail]

everybody- that works now.

good luck!

[Texasgal]

122. TTW-

I just sent you a PM. Please get back to me.

Give Yoshi an extra kiss and hug... I am sure he can tell that something is going on. He needs our love and support too.

[one_voice]

127. Sent what I could...

I hope things get better for you! Please keep us updated. Hugs to you and Yoshi.

[madamvlb]

130. Ok, sent a little through PayPal...

Hope it helps you out a little. Good luck.

[Stargleamer]

132. K & R

it would seem that gofundme would be better for you than paypal, but I'm not fully sure about this.

[zentricity]

134. Society of St. Vincent de Paul

http://www.svdpusa.org/Assistance-Services

To secure assistance, contact the nearest Catholic Church in your community and ask if they have a Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference in their parish or know of one in the vicinity. Or, look for the "Society of St. Vincent de Paul" in your local White Pages.

[Eko]

137. Hope everything works out.

Lots of good help from fellow DU'ers, that's awesome. Been where you are not so long ago, keep your head up. Sorry, cant help, trying to find rent for myself also or I would.
Keep on Keeponin.

[dinger130]

140. Check out the food banks

in your area. Even though you will be getting food stamp assistance in a few days, they might tide you over. I don't know about your area, but here there are several churches that participate in distributing food. Doesn't matter if you receive food stamps or not, it's all about income. Good luck!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

141. Sent a little something through PayPal

Good luck.

[vive la commune]

144. Paypal says it worked..

Sent some to [e-mail]

[btrflykng9]

145. Just sent you something

You are in my thoughts. Keep warm and take heart.

[eggplant]

148. I sent you a little something.

All my best.

[tblue37]

151. K&R. nt

[MADem]

152. Contact the Saint Vincent de Paul Society nearest you.

They don't care about religion, they respond to need. Maybe they can help you. I've seen them help with car repairs, prescription drug costs, all sorts of things--they might even be able to bigfoot the landlord on your behalf, depending on who's part of the organization in your area. Worth a try. Best of luck.

http://svdp-phila.info/

[dinger130]

154. If you're not squeamish,

think about selling plasma. At least it's a little money to put gas in the car. Stay calm and stay strong. You WILL make it through this rough patch.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

155. I sent you a little something too...

I hope you will be OK.

[peabody]

158. I just added something to your PayPal

account. Stay strong and I'm hoping the best for you.

[TorchTheWitch]

160. FYI - I am trying to read through all this

Especially everything about the comments on the legalities of the situation. I wish I'd never talked to that mean person at the legal aid line. All the other advice is helpful too and I'd never thought of them or even heard about most of them. I've discovered that it's helped a whole lot just to unburden myself about what I've been dealing with. Yoshi is always sympathetic, but he's not much for advice.

I've hardly slept all week, never did at all last night and by now I surely must be leaking brains out of every orfice. I dozed off for some time right here in my chair. And I just realized I wrote that last sentence maybe an hour ago so I must be doing it again.

Thanks soooo much for the help and advice. I know there was other stuff I wanted to say but I can't seem to think of anything at the moment other than trying to catch all the keys running around on the keyboard and sliding onto the floor into a coma.

Can people keep this thread kicked? I can't seem to prop my eyelids open anymore.

Big hugs

[etherealtruth]

168. Kicking ... You are a good person and I am so sorry you are going through this!

[emsimon33]

161. Sent what I could to PayPal

I hope it helps.

Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

[lamp_shade]

162. Kick

[benz380]

163. Kick

[RobertSF]

169. Sent what I could via Paypal

I don't know you but I'm in a similar situation with the only saving grace that I did manage to get a small loan from my family. I hope it's not true that PayPal sits on the money for 3-5 days.

[renate]

193. welcome to DU!

[RobertSF]

240. Thank you! :) (eom)

[njlib]

174. Just sent a little something

and hope everything works out for you! We were in that same kind of situation when I was a kid....my mother, brother & I, with two dogs...and it sucks!! The ceilings in our complex were prone to collapsing. My brother's room had a huge hole in the ceiling, while other tenants had no bathroom/bedroom/kitchen ceilings. We all withheld the rent, got taken to court and EVICTED!! We ended up moving into an even shittier place, then back to NJ after a few weeks to live with our grandparents..it was an absolute nightmare.

I can't believe some of the posts in this thread. If you are skeptical or don't want to help, just move along to something else. None of us know what will happen down the road...you never know when you might be in the same situation.

Best of luck to you & Yoshi!!

[GP6971]

175. Kicking

[Fumesucker]

176. Kick..

[greatlaurel]

177. Kick

[tabbycat31]

178. Just a suggestion

Most local TV news stations have something like '7 on your side' etc where they investigate complaints. This sounds like something that a local news station would eat right up and made for something like that. Contact the local news stations (CBS, NBC, ABC, even the local Fox affiliate) about this.

Your landlord definitely is negligent. I would definitely talk to an attorney (even if there's one here) and get him/her to draft a letter (best if you know one).

[Omaha Steve]

179. So PayPal is the only way to send $ on this?

And that might be held 3 days?

OS

[onecent]

182. Omaha I hope they wll answer your question but I have a paypal account, but don't

know how to send to a person (I use it for ebay and such) If you or someone could make this a little easier to figure out, because the "fundme" name came up and I have no idea what that is.

Can anyone clarify in one email

how to send it to her...and is it held for 3 days. I would like to contribute a bit to help her.

[Omaha Steve]

186. Here is a DUer with a go fund me page

It tracks what has been raised vs the goal etc.

http://www.gofundme.com/cip3vw

[stage left]

202. Hey onecent. How are you?

Go to Paypal.com. Log into your account. When you do a page should appear saying "Hi again, onecent." At the top will be several options. Press the one that says request and send. When you get to the next page, press send money to family and friends. It will take you where you can enter TTW's email and the amount you want to send. Her email is [e-mail].

[onecent]

214. Thank you - I appreciate the help.

Then how does that money get to her via her email? Probably a dumb questions,
but I have never had to ask it before. I use paypal for ebay and a few books I buy online.

[stage left]

217. It goes into her account

which is linked to her email. I would assume a bank account, but I think it could be a seperate paypal account. When I pay with pay pal it comes out of my bank account.

[KingCharlemagne]

225. Related question from a PayPal neophyte. I have a PP account that I set up eons ago but have

never really used. (I believe it is linked to my bank account and my credit card but I could not absolutely swear to it.) So how do I get money from my bank account into my PP account so I can send some to TTW?

On a related note, I keep getting these dodgy emails from some entity that calls itself PP asking me to verify my account and I've always assumed they are spoofing me or phishing for my account info so have never followed up. The whole experience has made me a bit leery of PP but people here seem comfortable with it so I've probably been excessively paranoid.

[ScreamingMeemie]

230. I used PayPal with confidence for my freelancing career and have never had a problem.

Ignore the majority of those emails if you have used your account at least once.

I don't respond to any PP emails because if they have a problem, they'll send you an alert right through your account. That includes verifying your account. If the account has already been verified (PP sends a few pennies in two deposits to your bank/credit card and then takes them back), you should be good to go.

It should say what accounts your PayPal account is linked to if you don't have a balance in your account. The default account (if you have more than one account) is the account the payment will come out of if you send money to TTW.

I hope I have helped.

[KingCharlemagne]

231. Thank you so much for the explanation. I do vaguely remember the $0.02 back-and

forth-thingy from back in 2010 when I set the account up. So I think your advice is eminently sound. Have to pay a couple bills first, then see how much $$ I have left, then make sure that's the account that PP is using and then I'll send some $$.

One final question (again showing how little I know about this). If you already have a bank account and a credit card, why would you ever need to use PP in the first place (other than to send $$ to TTW)? I think that's probably the main reason I never did anything with it -- b/c I was able to buy anything I needed, reserve hotels and car rentals, etc. with bank account or cc.

[ScreamingMeemie]

232. I do all of my writing on order, and I get paid quickly and easily with PayPal.

I invoice, my clients send the money through PayPal, and I can either deposit it through PP to my bank account or use the debit card you can order through PP to shop, pay bills, etc. The PayPal debit card works just like a regular check card or debit card from your bank. It's really helpful for the self-employed and even keeps a running yearly tally of the money coming in and the money going out for taxes. I save money in stamps, and I'm not waiting weeks for a check for stuff that's already published.

[KingCharlemagne]

233. Totally makes sense. IIRC, I set up the PayPal account for my wife's online

art gallery for customers to make purchases. We subsequently changed strategies about how and where to market her artwork and the need for PP sort of fell by the wayside. But it sounds as though our original plan matches your means for getting paid for your creative output.

Much obliged for the advice and explanation(s).

[ScreamingMeemie]

234. You are welcome.

I hope you both have a wonderful weekend.

[Beaverhausen]

185. Just sent a little bit

good luck!

[TorchTheWitch]

188. PHOTOS of my ceiling

Yoshi woke me up to go for a pee, and since I'd wanted to post these last night but ended up dozing off in my chair I'm doing it now.

This one is the leak from the shower that still hasn't been fixed so every time I take a shower I have to put a bunch of pots and pans all over the floor to try to catch as much as I can that leaks out...



This one is a close up of the worst edge...



As you can see, this was a patch they put in because they had this leak before I ever moved in, but they just patched the ceiling and didn't fix the leak! For several years of my living here that leak must have been going on though it might not have been as much of a leak as it is now since it took years before it finally soaked enough into the ceiling to make all the plaster and long strips of some kind of plaster tape that was around all the edges of that big rectangular cement board. In fact, when I first came to look at this place to rent the slumlord's husband was on the stairs painting that part of the ceiling, and she told me that her last tenants were pigs and must have been taking showers without a shower curtain that caused inches of water on the bathroom floor enough to soak into the ceiling. I knew at the time she was full of it, and that it had to be a pipe leak but assumed they wouldn't be so crazy as to patch the ceiling without fixing the leak.

That gray thing wedged into the corner that crumbled off that board discovered is the back side of the same ugly cheap bathroom tiles with the paper still on the back that you'd peel off and glue the tile to the floor. It fell out along with all the other crap when the ceiling went.

This is where the ceiling busted out when the toilet wouldn't stop flushing one night, the shut off valve behind the potty was a rusted ruin and wouldn't turn, so I raced down to the basement to try to find a shut off valve. Couldn't find it, heard a crash, ran back upstairs and a deluge of stinking toilet water gushed out so much water that it soaked through the living room floor and into the basement creating this big puddle (which was a lot bigger since I didn't think to take any pictures until I was part way through scrubbing the upstairs hallway carpet and living room carpet for days drying it out between scrubbings with an air blower that the slumlord brought over and turned around and LEFT forcing me to do all the clean up work. And guess what was directly under that hole in the ceiling where all those gallons of water gushed out?...



Oh Nooo! Oh YES!...



I just took those photos with the tv last night, so you can see I still have the big hole in the ceiling. This happened at the end of spring/beginning of summer last year. By some miracle after I cleaned all the stinky water and wet cement from the ceiling off all the electronics and let them sit to dry out for a week they still work. I'm not sure about how the VCR faired since I haven't tried using it since. Yes, I still have some films on VCR tapes - that's why I have a rewinder sitting on it's own wicker mini throne (I actually got that throne out of someone's trash... you never know what goodies you find on trash day while walking the dog). This was just the beginning of The Great Commode Disaster as one of my neighbors coined it, but this thread is supposed to be just the pictures, and just the pictures of the ceiling since that's not all the horrors I've had to deal with thanks to this slumlord from hell.

Here's all of the mess of the ceiling and another photo I took last night...



Now, what's all that hanging crud on the ceiling where the ceiling fan blades are? That's about four inches or more of plaster that just so happens to be right under the bathroom sink. Layers and layers of that plaster has been getting wet and shedding for most of the time I've been here. However, unless there's a sink leak from somewhere between the bathroom floor and the living room ceiling that spot is more likely because the water from the shower leak just travels in that direction and collects there because that's the outside wall of the building.

Notice how the area all around that plaster crud is much lighter than the rest of the ceiling? That's because the slumlord did a lousy job of matching the paint color. In other words, all those inches of sodden shedding plaster was covered up just as the she section where the shower leak is still ongoing because the slumlord didn't fix the leak. Both of the adjusters for her home insurance(s) actually pointed these things out to me when they did their inspections. And that's two home insurance companies because she actually told me that the first one canceled her policy after the adjuster did the inspection.

I just thought of something interesting I need to research, but my eyelids are going to half mast again.

[NCarolinawoman]

195. That looks dangerous.

I wonder about mold. I wonder about faulty wiring.

I want to send you something, but I've always avoided Pay Pal--just use the temporary one that DU offers. I'm just quirky, I guess. I wonder if temporary membership is created through PP or DU. Can't figure out how to access them without being a member.

Would send you a check if you e-mail me, but I don't know if that would be soon enough.. Maybe sometime, soon, I could do it that way. Wish you could just get out of there with your beloved dog.

[KittyWampus]

210. it does look dangerous. Not just mold but biological waste.

[stage left]

203. Wow!

Your "landlord" should be paying you. Hope things turn around for you.

[CountAllVotes]

206. What I would do is this:

1. Try not to panic
2. Call every place you can think of that is in charge of any/all aspects of housing in your county (look in the phone book under COUNTY and look for anything to do with buildings, housing, heath, etc.). I would also strongly suggest that you write a letter to your local representative, congressman/congresswoman and Senators and mail these via snail mail along with copies of these pictures.

I would report these conditions to these places (and yes they exist!) and wait.

In due time they will be come to the building without notice and inspect the premises and write-up all violations and send them to the landlord who will be required to repair/fix all of the problems that were found within a specific period of time. If he/she doesn't like it, well tough for he/she will end up in foreclosure (now isn't that what you call "sweet revenge"?).

If you have pests, like rats, contact the county Health Department and get them on his butt re: this separate issue as well.

That damaged ceiling and exposed dry wall in the picture is dry rot and a home to many things like ... termites, other pests you may be unaware of that are damaging not only YOUR belongings but also can be detrimental to YOUR health because is is dry rot! It is extremely unsafe and the picture you have of it proves it! It is therefore a HEALTH ISSUE for not only you but also your dog Yoshi! As for the stress issue, that too should not be ignored.

Again, best of luck and DO NOT GIVE UP. Fight the SOB's! Just think of the others in the building that are putting up with this same crap while the slumlord walks away seemingly unscathed when in fact he/she owns a building that should be condemned!!

If they attempt to evict you, I would sue them and I think I'd be looking for a lawyer to represent me already!!!

[TorchTheWitch]

263. oh god! What's dry rot?

Could you explain what you see in the photos? I don't know what dry rot is though I've heard of it. I've already been worried about mold but this dry rot thing has me worried now too. Is dry wall that board that was put in the ceiling to seal and disguise a previous hole from a leak?

I don't have a way to print photos at home. I was thinking about this before I conked out Sunday morning. They're on my computer so I can post them or email them and also still in my camera. I have some blank cd's, so I could put the photos on there if there's somewhere that can make prints of them.

The congress people idea is a really good one though I'd go in person since time is of the essense. Thanks, I'd never have thought of that.

Somehow I need to find out if the slumlord owns any other rentals. She's always whined that she can't afford to fix stuff, but she doesn't work and hasn't as long as I've been here and neither does her husband since I know he's been on full disability as long as I've been here. They have to be getting money somehow since they live in a nice big house, drive nice big cars, etc. and can't possibly be living on just my rent. Hell, rent money is supposed to cover maintenance on a rental property anyway! That's part of what the rent payment is FOR. I also have other reasons to believe that she has other rental properties.

I need to know and be able to prove that she does have the money to make repairs and has just willfully not been doing them.

[CountAllVotes]

271. Dry rot

Read all about it here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_rot

My husband says that this here is an example of it:



Eventually it turns to dust over time.

It is not good. I just spent a load of $$$ on my house having some water damage taken care of and it was not cheap.

I would contact my local District Attorney as well and see what they can do to assist you.

You can burn the pictures on to a CD and take it to KMART and they will print pictures of what is on the CD for you.

Best of luck with this nightmare!!

[TorchTheWitch]

272. OMG that is so revolting!

I hope to god I don't have anything like that in here!

Thanks so much for the info and advice!

Geez, I'm going to have nightmares about mold and fungus and other assorted creepies now.

[CountAllVotes]

273. Dry rot in a nutshell

Basically how this happens is this:

There is a leak in the roof. The owner of the property is either unaware of it or ignores it.

Eventually, you spring a leak inside of the house from the hole in the roof.

The water that leaks into the house goes through the roof and this is where the dry rot develops, above the patch job and into the crevices of the roof. The place you are living in should have had a new roof put on it and this whole problem could have been avoided.

By patching it up from the inside as was done in your case, it merely disguises the problem for a short period of time. Eventually, the "patch job" breaks (as your pictures reveal) and what is left behind is "dry rot". Dry rot is a breeding ground for all sorts of sh*t including termites, an assortment of molds and fungus', etc.

Dry rot is a very common problem and if it is not dealt with and ignored, the problem just gets worse. If not dealt with the property can end up being condemned and declared to be unfit for human inhabitancy. In the end, said property can end up being bulldozed down if not corrected.

If I was you, I'd be tempted to look for a "pet friendly" motel to stay in and send these SOBs the bill!

People that own property and do not maintain it end up with situations like this and good luck selling it! They cannot sell it as it would never pass a building inspection.

That reminds me, you should check in your county listings for Building Inspectors.

I strongly suggest to you that you contact your District Attorney and maybe that office can answer your other questions re: the owner of the property and what other properties they may own and direct you to other resources where you now live.

I personally went through a situation like this a long time ago. The landlord was a cheap SOB and would not fix anything and I reported him to every place I could come up with and in the end, I had to move out of said dump and the building was not repaired and the owner lost the building as it was condemned and declared unfit for human occupancy.

This was a number of years ago when I was a very young but tenacious woman, and to this day, I tend to not take crap from greedy SOBs like the ones you are now dealing with. I suggest you do the same and I would not discuss my finances with anyone! Let them guess what you are doing too!

Again, best of luck!

[Tree-Hugger]

216. Wow. That is dangerous.

I agree with others who suggest getting the county on your landlord's ass. These conditions are not legal. Try calling legal aide again.

[villager]

226. I got a property management company to settle with me that way...

...when they wanted to evict, instead of repair.

Ultimately, they let me stay there for about four months, while I looked for another place (mostly in the front of the house, while they were busy repairing all the mold I had discovered during this process, in one of the rooms in the rear!)

[glasshouses]

218. That's crazy

seriously there is wiring through that ceiling

[Liberal_in_LA]

259. wow. landlord doesnt care about property. just wants ur money

[marym625]

189. Good luck

I hope everything turns out well.

[Violet_Crumble]

238. K&R. Hope things turn good for you soon, TTW n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

241. PHOTOS - the REALLY scary sewage pipe

This is the one thing of all the others that scares the crap out of me and would definitely have the code enforcement office throw me out immediately if the slumlord tries to plead that she doesn't have the money to make repairs (and I have VERY good reason to believe that she's got plenty of money).

In April it will be TWO YEARS since the sewage pipe cracked though when it happened I had no idea what went through that pipe. I only knew about it because I was draining the tub after a bath and went down to the basement to deal with a load of laundry, and there was water just GUSHING out of a long vertical crack in the pipe. There was an area of the crack closer to the top that was as wide as a man's thumb, and you could look right into the pipe. Since the water gushing out didn't have a bad odor and the water was clear I thought that it was just a pipe that took away the tub and shower water.

I went to the Home Depot and spoke to a nice employee there about what the pipe looked like, where it was, the circumference, etc., and he said it was the sewage pipe and that EVERYTHING above the basement went through that pipe including whatever goes in the toilet. In fact two floors directly above that pipe is where the toilet is. That hole in the ceiling right above my tv didn't go through the bathroom floor but out into the hallway since the floors, walls and ceilings in this ancient house are warped from settling. The toilet is actually in the corner between the back of the tub and the outside wall... sitting on the potty is like sitting on one in a phone booth with the sink right in front of you. You can't bend over and scratch your foot while on the "throne" without cracking your head on the the sink (I know, I've done it more than once!), and I'm a small person...



That fluffy looking stuff is actually Yoshi's undercoat he was shedding out. He decided to have a nice scratch in the hallway and the fur went flying.

But back to the sewage pipe...

The employee at the Home Depot got me epoxy putty, explained how to use it, that I should dry the pipe faster with the hair dryer and not to let anything run through the pipe until the putty was completely hardened. He also emphasized adamantly that it was a temporary fix and that the pipe had to be replaced by a licensed professional in a week or two.

I took this photo of the pipe last spring/summer after The Great Commode Disaster since I just didn't think to do that with each thing that happened until then....



This is a close up...



All that orange and brownish stuff is rust which means the it's leaking. Worse, those dots of reddish color all over the pipe is rust that is coming out through the thin layer or paint or plaster or whatever the pipe is coated with. And that means the pipe is disintegrating.

This one I took last night that shows where the crack came to and end at the bottom...



Yep, that's all leaking rust. I don't dare even touch the pipe now since I'm scared to death it will crumble into a heap.

It's this that I know the code enforcement office will throw me out immediately over if the slumlord claims she doesn't have the money to make all these repairs, but I'm convinced that she does for a variety of reasons, and I need to figure out how to prove it. Is there a way to find out - and fast - that she owns other properties that she collects rents from?

I know she has never worked in all the time I've been here. Neither has her husband (who curiously has nothing to do with my rental) because I know that he's been on disability since I first moved in here. Though she's been whining to me that SHE can't afford to put gas in the car or eat or pay the mortgage in the nice big house she lives in when I sent her that partial rent payment I sent it on Jan. 6th but she didn't bother to cash it until the 23rd! And to top it off I was once told by one of the neighbors that grew up here and inherited his house just as she has as well as at least two other people here have that she's never worked a day in her life and not only inherited this house from her parents but several rentals from her well off grandmother. I also know that she's never had another tenant in this house because her, her husband and her kids all lived here before I moved in, and that she told me they had bought a bigger house because this one was too small now that her kids were teenagers.

There was also an interesting incident that the whole street was buzzing about for weeks was that one weekend night while I was at work her and a girlfriend of hers got so drunk that she drove here thinking she still lived here but got mixed up about which house and told my next door neighbors that THEIR house was hers. She then drove up my front lawn and peeled out leaving big tire gouges. What's interesting about this is that when she first told me she was going to evict me she said that she could have me out of here by the end of February, fix the ceiling and have the place rented by April and that she'd done it before. First, she didn't say anything about actually fixing the problems but only fixing the CEILING which is a dead give away that she HAS cosmetically repaired major problems without fixing the actual problem. Second, in saying that she'd done it before it couldn't have been anyone living in this house because she'd forgotten all about that I knew her and her family lived here until I rented it making me her first tenant in THIS house.

[CountAllVotes]

274. This is another example of "dry rot"

The pipe is rusted out and leaking sewage into your residence, another example of a two-bit effort to fix something that will likely cost another $10-20K at least (I do not know how large the place is where you live but if it is a sizable building the cost could be much much more)!

Ummm ... I think I'd:

#1: Call the District Attorney as I mentioned before.
#2: Look for a "pet friendly" motel to stay in
#3: Write the landlord a letter and tell them that you have vacated the premises temporarily until the conditions you point out are properly fixed.
#4: If they try to give you a load of sh*t, call the police. At least it will be on the record as having been reported even if they do nothing about it; another strike against them!
#5: Look for a tenant's rights attorney.
#6: I do not know what rights tenants have where you live but find out!

The "this to shall pass" meme thing is a nice thing to say but accomplishes nothing. It is up to you to act and up to you to get on these sucker's butts!

If you have raw sewage leaking into your place of residence, I think I'd get out of there quickly and if they don't like the bill you'll be sending them well too bad!

[mylye2222]

245. Hi TTW.

I hope everything will get better for you ASAP. I m sorry but cant really help. But my thoughs are w yoy.

[Omaha Steve]

246. Marta & I just sent $ by PayPal

How is the fund raising going?

[MelissaB]

257. I'm wondering if you got enough through paypal to make it though.

If you didn't, please set up a gofund me account.

[AtomicKitten]

258. I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.

Had to set up a PayPal account to send you money but managed to do it (derp). I hope it helps. Please keep us advised. We care.

[TorchTheWitch]

261. Insomnia caught up to me - been asleep for the past 24 hours

Ugh, now I feel worse than when I was awake for so long.

I'm still trying to read through everything here, so I'm not ignoring anyone, and I've so much to do today. Thanks sooo much to everyone for help and advice and info and everything. Just having people to talk to about this has helped me more than I can say.

[spanone]

264. k&r...

[NCTraveler]

267. Do you have a lease? nt.

[TorchTheWitch]

277. yes, it's month to month n/t

[Marrah_G]

268. Hugs- glad you reached out

There is no better online community then this one.

Also, check with St. Vincent DePaul or similar charities. They will help even if you don't share their religion.

[napkinz]

275. kick

nt

[Fumesucker]

276. Kick...

[Tree-Hugger]

280. Any update?

Were you able to pay your landlord?

[TorchTheWitch]

281. no

I didn't quite get enough for the rent (though I'm so incredibly grateful for every single penny I have gotten) but the larger problem at the moment is PayPal sitting on the money. I did everything they said I had to do to transfer the money into my account, but though they say almost all of it is "available" as opposed to "pending" they only let me transfer $500, and then after I did that I got a message saying that it won't actually end up in the bank account for 3-4 business days. So now that $500 is no longer in my paypal account nor is it in my bank account. It's somewhere floating in the ether and I have to just take it on faith that it's going to land in my bank account. I'm also scratching my head over why almost all of it is "available" yet they only let me transfer $500 and even after that I still have to wait 3-4 business days for it to arrive while it floats about in nowhereville. And I don't want to try transfering any more until I find out what happens to that $500.

I've been so unbelievably busy with all this other stuff trything to get food stamps and Medicaid, and any other help I can get and didn't have time left to do much of anything about getting a job which is what I should be spending most of my time on.

To make matters worse, I'd been too busy to keep on eye on the weather and was surprised the other day that we got a snowfall of several inches. When I was cleaning it off my car, I slipped on ice hidden underneath a thin layer of snow and in a split second I splatted on the ground. Since then my butt bone is KILLING ME. Is it possible to actually break your ass???? Sitting at all is really painful. I have to sit sort of canted over to the side on my thigh so my butt bone doesn't touch anything. In fact, I need to get out of this chair ASAP. I can stand, walk ok and lay down, but sitting is excruciating if my butt bone touches anything. I wish I had one of those inflatable donut rings like for people with bad hemarrhoids.

Ugh, I have to get out of this chair for a bit.

[Omaha Steve]

282. PayPal isn't a bank so they can do what they want

TorchTheWitch I'm sure a DUer would be glad to set up a Go Fund Me account IF you don't have the time with everything going on.

Can you use your PayPal toward any bills? That might eliminate the wait to get it in your bank account.

Best of luck,

Steve & Marta

[Tree-Hugger]

283. Paypal

PayPal has an option for you to withdraw more than $500. You have to provide them with additional information.

Weather - are you on Facebook? If so, run and follow Eastern PA Weather Authority. They are VERY accurate compared to other weather outlets. They have a website - www.epawaweather.com. Forecasts are updated daily.

You can break your tailbone. I have fractured mine and it hurts like a mofo. I have also bruised the area (nothing kinky - just a fall) and it hurts just as bad. Epsom baths work nicely.

Don't forget the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

[TorchTheWitch]

284. I think I've gotten things straightened out with paypal

I hope. I still have to wait that 3-4 transfer limbo though. It looks like that $500 moved out of the ether and into my account. Maybe that's what the holdup was.

I'm not on facebook. My next door neighbors always seem to get a reasonably correct weather report from whoever it is they watch on the tv. Since I don't get tv I just have to talk to them to find out what the weather is supposed to be doing. We're supposed to be getting more snow, but now it seems to have changed to a rain/snow thing (which is worse since regular snow is a lot easier to clean up) and they don't seem to have gotten it right when it's supposed to start. Today the trucks were out putting salt/brine on the roads, but nothing has happened yet.

As for my broken butt, yep, hurts like a mofo but only if I try to sit. It might be a teeny bit better now but it's hard to tell. I braved driving the car to go to the pharmacy and get one of those inflatable rings to sit on while driving. I had to go over no less than four speed bumps in the parking lot, and oh. my GOD! That hurt like HELL even though I creeped over each one. The pharmacy didn't have what I was looking for anyway. If it's still this hard to sit come Monday I'm going to build some kind of "nest" with old towels or something in the driver's seat to try to keep my tailbone touching anything.

I've not forgotten about St. Vincent's, but that has to wait until probably Monday. For days I've been doing a million things and this weekend I have to seek out a ton of paperwork just to get food stamps and medicaid so I can get my pills. The biggest thing for next week though is trying to get a job. I haven't heard a word from the slumlord. And now I need to get some sleep. Thanks for checking up on me. Since I broke my butt I've not been on the internet unless it's been pretty mandatory.

[Fumesucker]

286. Yes, it's possible to break your coccyx

The little bone at the end of the spine right between your butt cheeks, I had a family member who did that and there's basically no treatment but waiting for it heal..

[TorchTheWitch]

285. Thanks to all!!!

Just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the help and advice! I'm so incredibly humbled by it, you just have no idea.

[sunnystarr]

287. Looks like you have an ongoing problem

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6221474

[sunnystarr]

288. Looks like this is a big discussion

at the Conservative Cave site
http://conservativecave.com/index.php?topic=101582.0

Saw that when I was looking for the February post about same issue and googled.