Help J Graham get back on her feet!

I'm recovering from cancer treatment, disabled, unemployed, and unable to work full time. Without an income, I will be destitute in about two months. 

BACKGROUND:

My story starts in early 2017 when I went back to finish college. My significant other, who was my cheerleader and support system, became seriously ill that summer and passed away months later from complications after surgery. After he passed, I survived on savings and university financial aid, with a plan to go back to work after graduation.

But shortly after I graduated last year, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I was unable to look for work while undergoing surgery, chemo, and radiation, which I completed this summer. I now have some disabling side-effects from the treatment and my recovery is ongoing. 

I’m looking for part-time remote work now. It’s difficult to find in these pandemic times, but I’m looking at every possible opportunity and have a few more rocks to turn over as of this writing. Some of my challenges work-wise are: I’m unable to do manual labor or essential worker jobs, such as grocery shopper or driver, because I have a frozen shoulder and can’t lift things. I can’t work around people because I’m high-risk due to my age and health condition. My young-adult daughter lives with me but is unable to work. She has an anxiety disorder and has applied for SSI, a process that takes months to resolve. 

Other state and federal (SSDI) disability programs rely upon work months or quarters completed and because I haven’t worked since 2016, I am unable to collect disability. So I’ve fallen through some cracks in the safety net. I’m receiving Medi-Cal healthcare coverage (CA’s Medicaid) and $184/mo. in food stamps for my daughter and me. I’m applying for utilities discounts. I've applied for In-Home Supportive Services through Medi-Cal, which - if we receive it - will pay my daughter to help me until my shoulder heals and I recover more fully from treatment, in about a year. The application process takes several months.

Our cat, pictured above, recently passed away. She was my constant companion during treatment and I will miss her terribly as I go through the next months of recovery and beyond.

I’m asking for contributions, up to $15,000, for rent, utilities, food, clothing, and medical supplements, until I can find a job or other ongoing support. My rent is $2,280 per month for my two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, but I was able to get a Covid-related rent reduction between June 2020 and January 2021. However, at the end of January, unless state or local laws change, I will be required to start paying my full rent as of Feb.1 and paying the substantial (Covid-relieved) back rent I owe. It's estimated that it takes 6 months to find a new job, but if I find a job sooner than that, I can use the funds to pay back my back rent.

Thank you for your generosity!