St. Paul Episcopal Church

My name is Mike, I am a veteran. I served 15 years in the US Army from 1993-2008. I served during several conflicts, Bosnia, both Gulf Wars and Afghanistan. The struggles I am suffering more in life now in some ways. I am embarrassed that I am struggling to even even take care of my family at this point and for me that is way worse that anything I encountered as a soldier, an NCO, a leader of men. I never, ever imagined that when I hit my fifties I would have health issues that prevent me from working to make a living for my family. I have had several jobs before I became disabled about five years ago. I never knew back then during my time in the military that I would be disabled living on an income of $725 for myself and $725 for my wife because is also disabled. That is $1,450 a month but when your rent is $940.75 and you must have pay all utilities, auto insurance and child support it's hard to survive on that amount. Almost every month, we struggle to have food or non-food essentials such as personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies. We are living on SSI. SSI is basically a needs based form of disability payment for people who are disabled or unabled to work, but haven't reached retirement age. It is often confused with SSDI or even VA disability. Both SSDI and VA disability are much higher benefits. I do not recieve VA disability benefits or SSDI benefits. That being said my family needs help now. I have just ten days to find help, if our electricity is turned off. According to our lease we signed 14 months ago where we live here in Elyria, we can also be evicted. We would have no where to go if that happens. We need help to pay this bill regardless there's no way I can pay that amount and if the church can help with even a partial payment directly to Ohio Edison which is who we owe the electric utility bill too that would help us out tremendously. Unfortunately, I've been trying to find help for 3 weeks now and none of the churches within Elyria or Lorain County that I've contacted have offered any help. I do not receive VA disability or any type of disability benefits and most of the veteran organizations I've contacted for help won't help me because I'm not a service connected disabled veteran. I contacted every church of every denomination either by phone or email. All they have done is refer me out to other organizations and every organization that I've contacted whether it's a veteran organization or some other type of charitable organization also has not been able to help for whatever reason I just don't know what I'm going to do and I'm running out of time. We have other problems as well and this utility bill is causing a lot of stress. My contact phone number is 440-691-8038 please as soon as you read my email at least contact me back. Thank you