Who wants to be a zero-aire?

October 11, 2011 5:34 AM

I'm unemployed in Texas. I've officially run out of money. What should I do now?

I have been out of work for a year now, actively seeking employment for nine months. I am still unemployed (despite having an advanced degree, but no grumbling in this post, I promise). I had enough money saved back that I have sustained myself through careful budgeting, but now the money has run out. My question is what, if anything, can I do now?

The inevitable result seems to be that I will become homeless following the first of November due to nonpayment of rent. No other places to go, I'm afraid! I appear to qualify for temporary nutrition benefits, so food will apparently not be a problem, but that does not help with a roof over my head or electricity.

I can already hear the ""go work at McDonald's", but I have already put in my application there twice. There and every other location within fifty miles in which I can physically perform the labor. I am no work snob; the only work I haven't sought is trucking, and only then because I have certain obligations that would not allow me to travel very far. For whatever reason, I am long-term unemployable. Also, selling my things won't work because the only thing of any value I own is this laptop on which I type and my old junker car, both of which are kind of necessary.

How to bootstrap myself out of my overall work situation isn't what I'm asking in any case; I'm seeking out the wisdom of the Hive Mind in how to keep myself alive and housed. It appears that I don't qualify for unemployment benefits (must have had wages in three of the last four calendar quarters), but maybe there is some other program for folks in my situation? Perhaps a Texas charity I can hit up?

Thanks in advance!

posted by anonymous to work & money (30 answers total)

Where in TX? Different areas will have different charities/ organizations that may be able to help you out. Obviously state programs will work wherever.
posted by raccoon409 at 5:44 AM on October 11, 2011

You've no doubt looked into this, though you don't mention it - can you at least get some sporadic income without an employer? Eg doing odd jobs or freelance or fixing computers or bikes or making stuff for ebay or whatever skills you have that someone else could use?
Even if you can't get cash, perhaps you can barter for a room?
posted by -harlequin- at 5:47 AM on October 11, 2011

More ideas for making money.
posted by devnull at 5:49 AM on October 11, 2011

I've been using Leapforce to make a bit of extra money during my unemployment/underemployment. The hours are so unpredictable that it's not something you can count on to make rent by itself - or even for a steady cashflow of any particular size - and it requires Internet, but income's income.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 5:53 AM on October 11, 2011

What is your advanced degree in? What sort of past experience do you have?
posted by superduperfly at 5:58 AM on October 11, 2011

Yes, where in Texas and what field are you in? If you're in or near Houston, memail me as the company I work for is currently hiring.
posted by jschu at 6:05 AM on October 11, 2011

Slightly off topic but can't memail since the post is anon: If you're in Austin, TX and truly are a good worker I may be able to refer you to a friend that's a GM in a restaurant that's constantly having staffing problems. Namely the problem is finding staff that's worth a damn... Memail me.
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:13 AM on October 11, 2011

Anonymous, I have done jobs from home on the internet. You could conceivably make enough to cover the rent, or hold off the landlord at least. Memail me if interested.
posted by Not Supplied at 6:16 AM on October 11, 2011

Temp agencies. Sign up with as many as you can to find one that actually has a job or two that might fit you. Especially if you can find any that specialize in your past field of experience. Retail seasonal work is also hiring right now.

And for your immediate need for rent next month, check out local churches to see if they have programs to help pay your rent for that month to give you some breathing room. My sister has used this at her church when she was long-term unemployed and ran out of money. It takes a little time to fill out paperwork and get the help, but it might help you pay rent for a month or two.
posted by blacktshirtandjeans at 6:36 AM on October 11, 2011

It appears that I don't qualify for unemployment benefits (must have had wages in three of the last four calendar quarters)

Did you apply for benefits and get rejected? If you haven't applied, apply right now. It's not your job to decide whether you're eligible for UI benefits, it's the state's job, and some states will allow you to claim benefits retroactively. I have no idea whether Texas is one of those states (and their website is pretty deeply unhelpful-- which shouldn't surprise me as much as it does) but you lose NOTHING by applying. Apply, and then if you ARE rejected out of hand because it's "too late," appeal. If necessary, appeal all the way to a court hearing. If your story is "I didn't apply for benefits when I first lost my job because I had savings and didn't want to be a burden on the state," then even in Texas I would hope you're likely to find a sympathetic ear at some rung on the ladder.

By the way, why DIDN'T you apply for benefits as soon as you lost your job?
posted by dersins at 6:54 AM on October 11, 2011 [10 favorites]

Contact every single local charity you can think of. They will have all sorts of advice for ways to help you, if not find work at least help you get all the benefits, food stamps or the like you are entitled to. The seasonal retail rush is starting, I know they are hiring fools in my area at the moment with signs out in most every big store I go in. Apply like a mad to those.

Have you tried temp agencies? If you are vaguely good at using Word Processors and spreadsheets, or even have good data entry skills these are skills you can take to a temp agency. They don't necessarily want experience as most will make you sit a test so they have an idea of what you actually can and can't do. I got through a really broke period doing data entry even though I had no experience as I have a fast typing speed from way too much time on computers.

When I've worked hospitality/retail, I've found its best to make sure you don't overplay the qualifications, I've found managers can get intimidated hiring people with advanced degrees for basic jobs, they worry they'll get bored, or even try and take the bosses job.

Work your networks. Tell every single person you know what your situation is and that you are looking for work. Now is not the time to be proud, people like to help and maybe someone needs some work done around the house, or a lawn mowed or something every bit helps. If you belong to a church try asking around there as there is that added sense of community.

I don't know the housing laws in Texas, but in most places you don't get kicked out the second you are late with the rent there are processes they must go through first, it might be worth you spending some time researching that to find out what your timeline actually is.
posted by wwax at 7:13 AM on October 11, 2011

I don't have personal experience with it, but in the past I've been impressed by the listings at Hire My Parents, which is a flex-work enabling site. (Stuff like programming, sales, technical writing, virtual assistant work-- things you can telecommute for if you've got an Internet connection.) It was originally intended to create family-friendly flexible work arrangements, thus the name, but it's not like they'd ask for pics of your kids, KWIM?
posted by instamatic at 7:16 AM on October 11, 2011

Do you have a religious faith or an affiliation history, i.e., were you raised in or confirmed in a particular church? If so, no matter what your current state of belief, get to the nearest church of that faith. Explain your situation and ask for help.

They may have a program, as blacktshirtandjeans suggested. Even if a formal program doesn't exist, connecting with a community can expand your network of contacts who could suggest local resources, possible short- or long-term employment opportunities or a last resort couch-surfing situation. At the very least, you may find an objective and sympathetic counselor to help you deal with the stress of your situation. Today's counselor can become tomorrow's champion.

Hope of employment is not gone. If you are near the RGV or Hill Country, the Winter Texans will be arriving soon in the region's RV parks and resorts. Also, the holiday retail season is just around the corner. Make sure you keep your name and face in the minds of those who could need seasonal help.

You say "certain obligations" keep you tied to the area. Consider carefully whether those obligations are more important than your responsibility to keep your own body and soul together. Relocation may be your best option long-term, so be sure of your reasons for taking it off the table.
posted by peakcomm at 7:21 AM on October 11, 2011

Is moving back home with your parents an option?
posted by craven_morhead at 7:24 AM on October 11, 2011

There are a whole lot of charities that can help you. Do some googling and I guarantee you'll find some local group that provides bill-paying or job-finding assistance in your town. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to name a good one, has chapters in several Texas cities and this is exactly what they do. They're a Catholic organization, but religion isn't required or involved in their services. A whole bunch of the other groups out there are going to be church-based and some may have a bigger emphasis on saving your soul than saving your home, but it's certainly worth a try.

Also, no matter what it "appears" you qualify for, apply for every kind of government assistance you can think of. You're not going to get in trouble for applying for something you don't qualify for, and you might end up getting enough help to get you through until you find a job.
posted by Dojie at 7:29 AM on October 11, 2011

In the same vein as Dojie's suggestion, look into your local United Way. In my area, the United Way cooperated with other orgs (like St Vincent de Paul) to provide income assistance.
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:36 AM on October 11, 2011

Do you have family that you can live with while you retool yourself?
posted by Seymour Zamboni at 7:43 AM on October 11, 2011

If you have internet, you can do this. It apparently takes a day to start making money, and then you receive 30 cents for every answer you provide. A friend of mine did this and made enough to pay rent.
posted by Cwell at 7:54 AM on October 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

* Homeless Forums can be useful.
* Do you have any friends you could stay with for any length of time?
* United Way or sometimes similar agencies often have an online directory of local services and agencies for needy people.
* Look for live-in type work, such as pet-sitting, house-sitting, being a nanny or housekeeper, taking care of someone elderly or disabled.
* If you don’t have, or will lose, phone service, see if community voice mail is available in your area. This gives needy people a voice mail box.
* Do you have anyone who would let you use their address, if needed, as your home “address” when you fill out forms for work or assistance?
* You say you have obligations that keep you in the area. Think hard about whether that still applies now. Being open to moving could help you. If so, I might have more ideas.
posted by maurreen at 8:01 AM on October 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

I heard this guy on npr who lived out of his car and wrote a blog about it. He had good advice, but I can't find his blog. He did get a place to stay for a month by someone who read his blog and he said his computer was his most valuable asset (so you are right to hold on to your computer). This article seems to include much of the advice he gave. Good luck and be well.
posted by bananafish at 8:02 AM on October 11, 2011

By the way did you look at the gigs section of craigslist? Here's the one for Austin. There's a guy looking for someone to rake leaves today for 10 dollars an hour for example.
posted by bananafish at 8:10 AM on October 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

Also, call 211.

In Texas, and many other places, it is a referral number for "help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more."
posted by maurreen at 8:54 AM on October 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

Here's a Survival Guide to Homelessness.
posted by maurreen at 9:38 AM on October 11, 2011 [2 favorites]

Can you get food stamps or whatever it's called now?
Can you get a roommate or do you have enough room to store things for people?(I stored boxes for college students over the summer, charged $10 a box per month and I could have filled my entire loft, except my family would have objected.)
Do you qualify for a Section 8 voucher?
Can you make a deal with your landlord to use any security deposits until you can earn rent?
Good luck!
posted by Ideefixe at 9:40 AM on October 11, 2011

Random idea: Some guys in our neighborhood bought some number stencils and black and white spray paint and went door to door offering to paint house numbers on the street curb for $10 (so EMS/police whatever would be able to find the house quickly in an emergency). For that price it was worth it to most people to have it taken care of. They moved pretty quickly and made a nice chunk of cash pretty fast.
posted by halseyaa at 10:18 AM on October 11, 2011 [3 favorites]

Seconding calling 211.
posted by small_ruminant at 10:29 AM on October 11, 2011

Another reminder to call 211 - in our area it's organized by United Way, and they refer callers out to a variety of area agencies based on the need area.

Good luck.
posted by hms71 at 4:41 PM on October 11, 2011

Are you applying to lower end jobs with your degree listed? When I graduated from physics, I couldn't get a job anywhere with my Masters listed. I ended up removing my university education when I applied to a custodian job and while I went back to school for a computer science degree.
posted by DetriusXii at 5:58 PM on October 11, 2011

maurreen: "Here's a Survival Guide to Homelessness."

That's a great site, maurreen -- thx for posting.

OP, if you're in Austin, I'm almost positive that the city of Austin has a hardship setup for electric bills -- I know that I've been over two months late on mine, once I think even three months, they do charge maybe 5% per unpaid balance but that'd be the place to start, a cushion of sorts, gives you a softer end date on your electric bill.

I just don't know how to help you with the rest of it and I wish I did; my heart goes out to everyone/anyone in hard times, I know how easily it could have been and/or could be me, as time unrolls.

You're in my thoughts, shoot a memail or email to listed email address on my profile page if you want to dig into this thing -- I did love the numbers on the curb thing, that could fast end up with a pocketful of ten dollar bills I'd think, for the price of a couple of cans of spray paint and a few stencils, and it's damn sure needed here in Austin, so many addresses totally unmarked, very annoying to me esp when out at night but really just any old time.

And that may be how you're going to have to do this, in the short term at least -- find a needed gap and fill it, do small things on your own rather than depend upon getting a regular job-type job. When I was a kid I went door to door shoveling snow off driveways and walkways, made real good money at it -- esp for a kid, damn it was something -- knock on the door and smile at the nice people, my shovel in my hand. I know you're not going to shovel snow but maybe you can find that comparable niche in your area, again, not as a job-type job but just enough to get your through whilst still sending our resumes etc. Editing papers for local college kids? Writing papers for local college kids? I mean yeah, that sucks and all, but if they're going to do it with you they'll do it anyhow, might as well be your rent that gets paid...

Good luck.
posted by dancestoblue at 7:41 PM on October 11, 2011

I'd suggest donating plasma in the short term. I did it for about a year and a half when I was younger. It worked, even though I have narrow, hard to see veins. You can make $50 a week where I come from (that was back in 2003).
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 10:43 AM on October 12, 2011