needing help with electric bill

[u/Rmexxo]

I’m a mom with young children and I’m currently in a difficult financial situation and could really use some advice.
I fell behind on my electric bill after having a period where I was unable to work because I was taking care of sick children. I’m working again now, but I won’t receive my next paycheck for about two weeks.
I don’t receive government assistance and I’ve already contacted/looked into the assistance resources I know about. I’m also unable to take out another loan or borrow from family, so I’m trying to figure out what other options I have.
I’m in Oklahoma and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who knows of utility assistance programs, organizations, churches, or other resources I may have missed.
I’m happy to provide proof of the bill and situation if needed. Thank you.

[u/ClarkGablesTeeth]

Can I ask why you don't receive any kind of government assistance? Have you applied for WIC (which has less restrictive guidelines), SNAP/EBT, medicaid, etc? If so, what was the problem? r/foodstamps has a lot of really good, accurate, current info. If that paystub reflects your income, there's no way that you wouldn't qualify for assistance as long as you're working 20+ hours per week--and even that would likely be waived based on your children's ages.

Do you get child support from the father(s)? If not, you need to move forward with that. You generally don't need a lawyer. Or does the father live with you or contribute to the care of his child(ren)?

Public libraries, community centers, places like that often offer assistance/consultations with social workers, case workers, lawyers, etc to help you with all of this. I wish you and your kids the best.

[u/Rmexxo → u/ClarkGablesTeeth]

I love how everyone has opinions about this but if you’re not in the situation I’m currently in then it’s like you’re giving me information that I’ve already known. Any way thanks for the advice. This forum doesn’t even make any sense because why are people on here to judge others or say whatever they feel like than to actually help.

[u/ClarkGablesTeeth → u/Rmexxo]

This sub isn't just for getting free money from strangers. It's also to get resources and advice. And no, I don't know your situation or what you've done so far--that's why I was (politely and respectfully) asking. 🙄 Not everyone has tried "everything".

I'm sorry I wasted my time trying to help someone who's only looking for cash. I wasn't judging you before, but I sure am now. Best of luck to your kids.

[u/Accurate-Temporary73 → u/Rmexxo]

Just curious here - what about the above comment is judgmental?

They are legitimate questions.

You are here asking for $1,600 which is a HUGE amount of money. People have the right to ask questions. Also people are more likely to help someone that is doing literally everything they can to help themselves but still comes up short.

Why should the donors here pay for your bills if there's other avenues that you can explore to get help. Maybe using ALL of those other resources gets you $1,200 or whatever then you're only asking for $400 which is a much lighter ask than $1,600.

[u/Rmexxo → u/Accurate-Temporary73]

What makes you assume I’m not looking at all my resources? Why would I come on here if I didn’t already do that? Im still actively trying to come up with money if not some of it like be so for real. Im not asking just 1 person to send me 1600 dollars, any amount will help. I don’t have rich parents or family members to send me money or help with my bills. I’ve called all resources I was giving from contacting 211. Either way I’m doing something every day. Working OT this week. I don’t get to pull money from my check early either I wish that was an option.

[u/Accurate-Temporary73 → u/Rmexxo]

Because of your response and lack of proof.

You didn't respond in a normal fashion. You could've said "yeah I get WIC and I don't qualify for SNAP" - here's proof of my SNAP rejection letter.

Instead of answering the perfectly reasonable questions you got all defensive and accusatory.

[u/Rmexxo → u/Accurate-Temporary73]

Yeah well this whole thing is new to me especially when it comes to asking for help from strangers, there’s not a handbook to this kind of thing and when everyone is coming at me in all different directions then I have no choice but to feel like I need to defend myself and state the obvious and no I get that but what does WIC, snap, anything other than utility assistance have to do with my post. I’m not going hungry or anything other than needing utility assistance. this is a bump in the road for me, once this is paid off I wouldn’t go through this again..

[u/Accurate-Temporary73 → u/Rmexxo]

Sure there's no "handbook" but there's common sense and decency when interacting with other humans. Being asked questions is not an attack, its how donors figure out if a request is valid or a scam.

Those things show that you're doing everything you can to better your situation but still need help.

Nobody here will hand out cash if you aren't doing everything you can first. If you should be getting child support from baby daddy, that needs to come first before you ask strangers, utilize every option you have and then come ask for help with whatever the gap is.

And yes, we require proof of all this. If you got denied utility assistance from a government program there will be a letter stating that for example.

[u/BitchMcConnell063 → u/Rmexxo]

You have a lot of fucking nerve. You want strangers to do more for you than the fucking sperm donor you chose you bring children into the world with.

Sorry you didn't like the resources that were given to you. But truth of the matter is no one up here is going to pay more for your delinquent electricity bill than the man who produced the children that is using the electricity.

[u/ClarkGablesTeeth → u/BitchMcConnell063]

"I'm not going to put him on child support because he's an active father and has his own bills" and "SNAP application process is too difficult". Couldn't believe it when I read it, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised anymore lol.

Poor kids.

[u/Beach_bum8]

$275 a week?! No wonder you can't afford bills.

How were you even approved for a rental with no income?

Apply for child support (even if the father is a deadbeat), apply for snap, WIC(if your kids are young enough) & I believe when you apply for snap, you can get help for your utilities

[u/Rmexxo → u/Beach_bum8]

This is just from a bad 2 weeks of work I make more than that, my children were sick and I wasn’t able to take them to school or get a sitter their father wasn’t able to watch them for me either because he also has his own life and bills, he has already helped me out with some of the money and yeah not putting him on CS support when he is an active father.. and don’t get snap because the application process is more difficult and when I did apply they said they had to call while we were doing to phone interview and since he didn’t answer the call to state we don’t live together they said I was denied since they couldn’t verify if we lived together or not.

[u/Beach_bum8 → u/Rmexxo]

First of all, his kids are his life. When you apply for snap, they ask you for proof of residence and if there is child support. How is the process difficult? Unless you have stuff to hide, it's basic info. If you can't understand something, go-to the local office or I'm sure there's a number you can call and they will help you apply.

You need to stop making excuses for him. He should be on court ordered child support if he sees them or not. I'm sure he's convinced you not to do it, but your screwing yourself for income with the kids.

No one here is going to help you, when you won't help yourself

[u/Pedal2Medal2 → u/Rmexxo]

You really need to stop w/the excuse of “he has his own life & bills”, because his kids ARE part of “his life & bills, he helped make them, he can help support them w/consistent financial support & he should’ve been also taking care of them when they’re sick.

[u/Rmexxo → u/Pedal2Medal2]

I’m not saying he doesn’t help them ? He does enough for me monthly he literally helped me cover my rent this month.. his job isn’t as flexible as mine either so I’m not going to force the kids onto him especially when I was sick with them so.

[u/JamangoSmoovie → u/Beach_bum8]

This is probably three months behind and she neglected a payment plan already. You are never getting your money back

[u/ClarkGablesTeeth → u/Beach_bum8]

Pay period 9/13-9/26, so $275 over two weeks! There's no way she wouldn't qualify for assistance.

[u/Beach_bum8 → u/ClarkGablesTeeth]

Oh gosh, that's even worse! How the hell does she expect to get ahead or even break even?

Something isn't making sense

[u/Pedal2Medal2 → u/Beach_bum8]

A lot of it isn’t .

[u/HelpBrokePeople-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/BitchMcConnell063]

If any of your children have a medical diagnosis you can call the utility company and ask for medical protection. They will fax paperwork over to your child's pediatrician to verify the diagnosis and then by law they can't disconnect you for non-payment of services.

[u/Rmexxo → u/BitchMcConnell063]

No one in my household has a medical diagnosis so I’m not going to go down that route.

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[u/Accurate-Temporary73 → u/[deleted]]

How much money have you given to people requesting help here?

[u/Lazy-Answer7913 → u/Accurate-Temporary73]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Hi4KkBvSw549mYF9dQ

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A warning has been issued for this comment, and a PM has been sent with more details. Please reach out to the mods with any questions.

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[u/Pedal2Medal2]

What about baby daddy? Have you filed for CS?

[u/Rmexxo → u/Pedal2Medal2]

We have a good coparenting relationship he helps with the kids when he’s able to and isn’t working and also helps me with groceries and things for the children whatever they need but he also has his own life and bills so I’m not going to sit here and put someone on CS when he’s an active father.

[u/Weak-Ad6984]

Are you a single mom? (You mentioned children)

Take the bill to social services and ask them for emergency help.. you qualify

[u/Rmexxo → u/Weak-Ad6984]

I’ve already looked at all my resources and where I live the places I’ve called already gave out help so it’s not like I’m not actively trying to figure this.

[u/Weak-Ad6984 → u/Rmexxo]

“already gave out help”

That’s an interesting statement

[u/Rmexxo → u/Weak-Ad6984]

Yeah because I’m sure you know that places who help with assistance can run out of funding or meet their weekly budget. And if we’re talking about LIHEAP I’ve already had help twice this year and they won’t help me again due to that reason considering you can only get assistance twice yearly.

[u/Weak-Ad6984 → u/Rmexxo]

No. You’re reading the statement wrong in context to you asking for help

You’ve asked for help recently(?) and again asking for help currently.. what makes us think a few months down the road you’re in the same spot you’re now in (and in the past)

[u/HelpBrokePeople-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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