I am a single mother of two and have a bad sewage leak under my house in need of repair. There is a lot of water under my house that is on the ground. It has caused my floors to rot out that are now caving in in two bedrooms and the kitchen.
It also has allowed mosquitos to breed under my house. They come inside and are biting my family. I am in desperate need of some help for my home and my family. Is there anyone that can help me?
By Michelle W. from Port Allen, LA
It seems you may be asking for financial "help" from Thrifty community members so undoubtedly you do not realize that most of us are just trying to make ends meet and save a little for repairs when the time comes.
The first question - do you own the house?
If so you can go to all the usual places (mentioned before) and apply for assistance but most likely - if the house is in this much disrepair - you will be informed to find another place to live as you are placing yourself and your children in danger by living under these conditions.
I do not believe you will find anyone that will do this much repair so maybe you should just be asking for housing assistance.
Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.
My bathroom shower control for the hot and cold water needs to be replaced. I am disabled and on a very limited income. Is there any assistance out there I can get?
This type of repair will usually get better results if you try local places, especially places near your residence.
I am in need of monetary assistance to repair my plumbing. I need all new pipes.
The US Government has a site that helps out in these issues. They either have grants or low-interest loans that can be paid back. I would check out this site to see if you can qualify for a grant to help you repair your home. www.usa.gov/
Here is another site that also offers low-interest loans or grants to repair your home. www.rd.usda.gov/
Daily Caring is also another great site for seniors that will help them find assistance for home repairs. Here is their site you can look at and find the help you need. dailycaring.com/
My kitchen sink pipes have burst and I'm on benefits. I can't afford a plumber. I have got no water and no heating. I have 3 children in the house.
Like the others have said HUD would be the place to start. However, you can try a few local charities in your area and see if you can get some help through them.
Our house has a main sewer line from the house to the rode that is broken. I can't afford the repairs. Is there financial help available in my area, zip code 44432?
My mother's toilet and shower don't work. She is 81 and living on a low income. She lives in Ft.
Worth Texas. My friends want 5k to fix it. Some friends, huh? How can we get this fixed affordably?Try this site for repairs:
SENIORS-National Council On Aging (NCOA)
The National Counseling On Aging has a free resource site:
www.BenefitsCheckUp.org
This site is a confidential and free and easy resource service to help people 55 years and older locate and apply for benefits. There are numerous financial assistance programs, both public and private, that can help struggling Seniors trying to make ends meet. The site has information on more than 2000 programs. Many are available to anyone in need who qualify, while others are available only to older adults and can help them retain their independence.
Benefit Types:
Food Assistance, Health Care, Prescription Drugs, Utility Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), low income housing, tax relief, respite care, free legal assistance and many other benefit programs are available.
To use the site, you enter basic information about the person in need-date of birth, zip code, and check boxes for what the person needs assistance with. The site generates a report instantly, listing links to the programs and services that the person may qualify for.
Some assistance programs can be applied for online while other have downloadable form to be printed and mailed, faxed or emailed in, and some require you to contact the program directly.
Benefits Enrollment Center
It is also possible to get help in person at a Benefits Enrollment Center. There are currently 36 centers in 24 states and 12 more will be added in 2016. Visit the online site for locations:
I am a 66 year old female with a low fixed income. Currently the hot water faucet in my bathtub is leaking badly. In the past 48 hours the leak has put from one to three inches of warm water into the tub that I have plugged closed. Yesterday, October 12, 2014, I endeavered to do what repairs I could do myself. I purchased a package of replacement gaskets and some tools that I could use for the repair. I was successful in removing the handle, collar, and the 'hex shaped nut' holding the stem in place. Each of the mentioned item were badly covered in chemical crystal from water.
By E. Brown
Check with your County Offices - the local Housing Finance Association (HFA) or HUD (Office of Housing and Urban Development) often have low income emergency home repair programs that can help you. You can also check with local churches, senior centers and see if they can connect you with local resources that can help.
I am a 64 year old senior on disability who needs help. I have a water leak in kitchen that has caused mold under my sink. This has caused the floor to rot.
I am on a fixed income. Are there any government programs available for me? This mold is making me sick!This site for seniors may help you:
SENIORS-National Council On Aging (NCOA)
The National Counseling On Aging has a free resource site:
www.BenefitsCheckUp.org
This site is a confidential and free and easy resource service to help people 55 years and older locate and apply for benefits. There are numerous financial assistance programs, both public and private, that can help struggling Seniors trying to make ends meet. The site has information on more than 2000 programs. Many are available to anyone in need who qualify, while others are available only to older adults and can help them retain their independence.
Benefit Types:
Food Assistance, Health Care, Prescription Drugs, Utility Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), low income housing, tax relief, respite care, free legal assistance and many other benefit programs are available.
To use the site, you enter basic information about the person in need-date of birth, zip code, and check boxes for what the person needs assistance with. The site generates a report instantly, listing links to the programs and services that the person may qualify for.
Some assistance programs can be applied for online while other have downloadable form to be printed and mailed, faxed or emailed in, and some require you to contact the program directly.
Benefits Enrollment Center
It is also possible to get help in person at a Benefits Enrollment Center. There are currently 36 centers in 24 states and 12 more will be added in 2016. Visit the online site for locations:
www.NCOA.org/centerforbenefits/becs
Where can I go to get a free new roof on my home. My insurance company has denied me twice my roof caved in I have used.all of my finances on repairs the mold is making me sick. Please help.
How can a disabled low income senior get help putting in a new sewer line? I live in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Try these sites:
You can try this agency for possible help-scroll down to your state for the correct agency.
www.eldercaredirectory.org/
www.disability.gov/
I am a senior who has a water leak that has leaked water onto the sidewalk. The leak is in my yard the city says. I am on fixed income. Where can I find help?
You can try this agency for possible help-scroll down to your state for the correct agency.
I've been told that I have a hot water slab leak. I'm disabled and live on a fix income. The plumners tell me it's going to cost anywhere from $1000 to $7000 to fix and replace the pipes. I can't afford this cost. Do I have other opions?
By Joe
First, what is leaking? If you live in a large city their probably is an organization that your local social service would know of that does repairs for seniors or people of limited means. Or call a local church known for community work. They probably can think of something. Call Salvation Army or similar.
My septic tank is not working properly. Water is coming up out the ground. I've had it dug up and sucked out 6 months ago, and the company told me it would be at least 10,000 dollars to repair it. I do not have that kind of money; not even a quarter of that amount. I have bad credit, so no one will finance the work for me now. I don't know what to do. I need help very bad.
By Rodney W from Snell Ville, GA
Rodney, I'm not an expert, but I know a good bit about things such as this. Most likely, all you need is more field line(6"perforated flexible plastic pipe) added to your existing field line. Ask around and find someone who does this type of work, doesn't mind working and getting dirty,and will get the job done. This company is out to rob you; this is a half day job. This shouldn't cost but $1000-$1200. Don't let someone take advantage of you and rip you off!
I'm having trouble with my plumbing and winterizing my home. I'm out of water as of now. I'm a one income household. Trying to live on $8.35 a hour. I'm attempting to pay heat, mortgage, electric, and all other bills. Could really use some help.
By Lisa
I bought a house that needed renovation just to bring it up to safe standards. Our winters get to -30 and the walls were cold. Lucky us the wall finish was wall board which we could pop off and reuse. The old disintegrating insulation was replaced then the wall covered with vapor barrier. We could immediately feel a difference as we worked around the house. That reduced heating costs. You can learn how to solder, call your friends until you find someone willing to teach you. Hubby told me if you think it's hot enough, get it hotter. He was right.
My wife and I are both on disability. We can't use the plumbing; nothing drains. The sewer line is broken.
We have no money for repairs and don't know what to do. I did serve 15 years in the army.