I'm 18, unemployed, have no food to eat, and soon won't even have a place to live. Do I qualify for gov' help?

Question

I'm 18 years old and just got laid off from my job and I've been searching for employment but unable to find any. I need help really badly. What do I have to do to qualify for unemployment? I worked at my last job from January of 2007 to July of 2008. I live in Florida. Right now I'm living with my mom but the bank is about to forclose the house so I'm going to have to find a new place to live. I have no family other than my mom here in Florida that I can stay with. They all live in Hawaii, Canada, and the Phillipines. Can I apply for unemployment/ public housing/ welfare/ food stamps? And can I do so even if I remain living with my mom? She doesn't support me at all financially. Ever since I was 16 I've had to pay for my own food and now I'm just screwed.

Answer 1

You can't have a separate food stamp case from your mom until you are 22 years old. My question is- have you been paying her rent, buying your own food , and buying all your personal needs since the age of 16? If so have you filed your taxes or is your mom claiming you as a dependent? If she did you can call IRS on her. Also since you are 18 I hope you filed your own taxes this year to get a stimulus package. When you do leave moms home you will be eligible if you meet other rules. When you apply for unemployment and were fired not laid off they will ask you and you may get denied based on your above reason but you will almost always win your claim if you file an appeal.

Answer 2

go to the welfare office and tell them that you have no place to live and ask them for the HUD application for your state also ask them for the emergency low income housing application and they should also help you with the unemployment thing too

Answer 3

Freedom fighter gave good points and is right, it is extremely difficult to get housing without having children, serious illness/disability or being elderly. When you go into your local social service office, you might want to ask them about programs that offer housing and job training. Some cities have nonprofits that offer low cost housing, but it depends what is available in your area. These places usually have social workers that can help direct you to food and other services. There are food pantries in most cities - ask about that too and check local church programs.

Answer 4

you are eligible for unemployment. as long as you were fired due to ack of work you're eligible and through no fault of you own. also you are eligible for food stamps,medical and even cash until you're unemployment kicks in. go first thing on monday. a good thing to to is make sure you take in your birth certificate, social security card,id and a letter from your mom stating that she doesn't provide you w/ means to support yourself and that she herself is losing her home so you can't stay w/her much longer. also provide any medical bills incurred in the last 3 mos. b/c sometimes they'll cover this as well. any bills in your name and proof of any bank accounts you have if any. take all the stuff i said and b/c of your situation you will be eligible for experdited(immediate)help. it helps to have it all available so you don't have to bring anything back and they can process your case w/in 30 days or less. as for shelter most public housing is for people w/kids and the elderly will be first priority. go to your local shelter and see if there's room it may not be i deal,but it's something.  

Answer 5

http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/conta...

Answer 6

I know what you're going through! You can file for unemployment. It's real simple questions they'll ask you and from there and using your past employment they'll determine what your weekly allowance will be. Now if you quit any job you've had, there'll likely be some kind of simple hearing to see if your quitting had a justified reason. Otherwise it shouldn't be so bad and you'll just have to be sure to look for work each week and record it to let them know when you file your weekly claim. You should be able to apply for public housing/assisted housing, but you might luck out with that if they're not accepting applications. I have a friend who goes through assisted living and they paid 13 bucks a month for rent. Food stamps shouldn't be that hard to get. It's better to apply for these things in person. Don't abuse the system but make sure you're straight up and honest with these people about your situation. Being face to face makes for a better effect so just take the initiative, work through it one step at a time and you and your mom will get through this.

Answer 7

Of course you can. You go through so much in life, of course they will help you. keep strong honey, you can make it!!!

Answer 8

Go to college apply for any financial aid, cal grant, bogw and go into the student work program ( the college provides you with a job on campus) that will give you extra pocket money and study real hard in school so you wont have to go through this in the future.. Also apply for unemployment money..