Our mortgage company insisted the insurance be used to put in a replacement home. Then 2 months after the house was put in they still wouldn’t let us move in until the city finished all their inspections. On Sept 12 they gave us the “go ahead” and we moved in even though our rent where we stayed was paid through Nov. 30. That landlord didn’t give us back the money and we are out the $1,500 from that. He’s on the county board so who could we complain to? My factory closed and I was laid off July 28,2006. My unemployment benefits ran iut and there are no extensions as the company didn’t leave the country..they just shut the doors. My Mom died unexpectedly at Thanksgiving time and my husband did not have 90 days in where he was working. They told him to take the time off to be with the family but then let him go for missing time before 90 days service. While I was working my hand was caught in a conveyor belt and is permanently deformed. I have arthritis and walk with a limp after knee surgery. Now my shoulder needs surgery and the doctor thinks I should be on disability but we don’t have the money for the tests they want done to “prove” my handicaps, which are visible just seeing me. This is a hard situation as in the past I have always been the one to help others and it is very hard for me to ask for help. It IS much more blessed to give thant to receive. When our home burned REd Cross put us in a motel room for 2 nights. Their funds were depleted by so many people giving and saying it was to go to Katrina victims. That is fine but we must not ignore our own local people. Our county has shelter for homeless animals, but nothing for homeless people! Before my fire I took in those less fortunate than us 26 of them anywhere from 1 night to 3 years. Now I cna’t even get my husband and grandson the necessities. WE did qualify and receive some food stamp assistance but the needs of laundry supplies, cleaning supplies, paper products are not covered by food stamps. My husband has diabetes and is on insulin and heart medication as he had a heart attack Nov. 14,2004 and has been on the meds when we can afford them ever since then. Sometimes the dr can give samples but he doesn’t always have them on hand. Now with our insurance gone we can’t afford the $95 office calls so we’ve found a free clinic to go to once a month which has been an immense help. Salvation ARmy has low supplies of funds also due to the very dire economical situation here in Michigan. I know there are people out there with hearts of gold. Many gave us clothes, money, food, and furniture after our fire. WE just want to be able to get back in the routine of a “normal” life where we can make enough money to pay the bills and get food, medicine, gas in the car and maybe help others once again. But we need to remind everyone to help their LOCAL people first.