Try not to see this as a list of gripes. I really need help and cannot see a way out of my situation—no matter how much I’ve tried, and how much I’ve gone against the tide to establish a normal life for myself and a safe haven for someone I love.

I am in a phase of life when I am on Social Security Disability from being a victim of crime. During this interim of life—I met a woman who may have mental issues and is on SSI disability who has been further victimized by a very bad family. She had no support system such as a family for help. Together, we rented an apartment to avoid homelessness (I can live with my parents if need be, and my parents need my help—but this woman would otherwise be homeless). We are reasonably compatible.

Our combined incomes ought to work—about half our combined incomes go to the apartment—the rest to other needs and services. Not so hard. But it seems everybody and everything that can, WILL take economic advantage any chance they get,

For instance:

—The utility company charges us a $200 “security deposit” because we are “High Risk” (e.g. might not be able to pay?) due to our income.

—The utility company and the apartment complex BOTH charge a utility connection fee. Double billing? And the utilities were already connected from the previous tenants.

—The utility company includes a ‘water bill’ and the apartment also bills for water, separate from the utility company.

—The Apartment complex requires COMCAST cable T,V, as part of the lease agreement. But if you want anything more than basic cable (such as Internet / WiFi)—you have to pay EXTRA from Comcast (an additional bill)—and that COMCAST bill includes duplicate fees for the basic 40 channels.

—When my cell phone (under warranty) ceased to function, it was replaced with another phone that lasted about a week, and had a similar problem eight days later when the warranty had expired. I was then forced to buy a much more expensive phone because they didn’t make my phone anymore. I was charged a high-dollar “new equipment’ charge for every replacement. When I went back to the basic phone, I was charged a high “restocking fee”

My $30 cell phone bill has accumulated to over $180.00 (not exaggerating) for replacing a phone that was under warranty. Verizon has several times said they were modifying the bill, but it remains unchanged,

As for credit, well, I’ve never missed a bill so you’d think I’d have good interest rates. But I don’t—evidently I haven’t borrowed enough in my lifetime .

I cannot get affordable auto insurance—my friends who DO have affordable rates have high deductibles. I have not had an auto accident since 1997,

Economic subsidies for housing is available but requires knowing how to “work the system,” and seems to mainly be available to “families” with children

There is much more that I could gripe about—but you get the drift. I am trying to live responsibly and build a future for myself and my loved ones. But it seems that I am getting stabbed economically everywhere I try to do business with—and any or all of these crooks have the power to destroy everything I’ve eked a life out of chaos for.

I’ve borrowed from friends and churches who have given me money that I cannot pay back. I’ve paid for lunch with coins contained from fountains. I’ve stolen food from grocery stores. Its a wretched life. It ought to work, but too many services are double billing or overcharging me just because they can.

Topics: economics, personal finance, social services, aid