# It looks like I am going to be homeless and unemployed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 10, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780 "2014-04-10T04:45:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/21 "2014-04-10T17:25:48Z")
Er… **Vita Beata** , the OP is in Australia. Signing up for temp work in the US is probably not the first choice on the list for solving his problems. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/22 "2014-04-10T17:28:59Z")
Broomstick, Yes, I did read that Imasquare is in Australia … but I’m thinking there are most likely temp agencies to be found there as well. Is that not a good assumption? Apologies to Imasquare if I’m giving bad advice. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/23 "2014-04-10T17:45:02Z")
Broomstick, A Google search does show plenty of temp agencies for Sydney Australia, so here’s hoping a few are located in close proximity to where Imasquare is. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/24 "2014-04-10T18:13:08Z")
The following are some matters that caused my BIL to complain to my sister when I visited her. I’m talking about a visit that lasted for just 2 or 3 hours. He complained to her behind my back but smiled at me and welcomed me to my face. Do you engage in any habits that they might consider objectionable? Specifically, drinking, smoking, any form of drug usage? (even extremely mild usage, including prescription drugs). Have you had any interaction with their children that they could view as objectionable? Even though you can’t imagine it being objectionable? Are the hours you keep markedly different from theirs? Would that create a source of conflict for them or their children? Do you clean up after yourself? One of the most common reasons why a houseguest wears out their welcome is because they leave dirty dishes for the lady of the house to clean up. Substitute “dirty dishes” for “dirty laundry” or just about anything else that would require your sister to clean up. Basically, do you do anything that causes your sister to do any work that she would not have to do if you weren’t there? Finally, have you broken anything in their home? Have they complained to you about anything that you’ve done that cost them money or caused them any extra work? Any reason at all that would cause them to resent your presence? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/25 "2014-04-10T18:18:39Z")
> [@Imasquare](#): > > I will qualify for unemployment benefits which are about $600 or so every two weeks. So I’m not going to starve. Aren’t those benefits extremely limited? Don’t they only run for a few weeks or months? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/26 "2014-04-10T18:19:59Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/27 "2014-04-10T18:45:45Z")
> [@LibrarySpy](#): > > Social phobia is an easily treatable medical condition. No, it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/28 "2014-04-10T19:15:08Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > No, it isn’t. It’s treatable much as all anxiety issues are, with a combination of medication and CBT, the details and proportions of which will need to be worked out with medical professionals. “Easily treatable” doesn’t mean “easily cured”, but there exist a number of well known and commonly effective treatments. If the OP has access to these treatments, and hasn’t tried them, that should be something he does as soon as is practical. I don’t know enough about the Australian health care system to know how soon that will be, but if it’s more like the UK (where I’m currently receiving treatment for anxiety, among other things) it should be quick and cheap/free. ---
**Author:** ![delsina363](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@delsina363](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delsina363)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/29 "2014-04-11T01:07:50Z")
Hi there, I really do not have any advice that has already been given. I just want you to know, I feel for you. I was once homeless and hungry in my late teens. Only a few months, but that experience has scarred me. I really hope you can find some help. I wish there were something I could do for you, but know you are in my thoughts. I wish you all the best. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/30 "2014-04-11T02:13:09Z")
OP, while I’m not religious myself I do know that a number of them work with people who are down on their luck. They can easily find you a small room or apartment to live although it’s not going to be as familiar as your current surroundings. You should contact them ASAP. Also, I’m curious as well as at what you have been doing with your money. If you experience social anxiety and you live in a nation which pays for health care as well as living in your sister’s home, you should have been able to save a considerable amount of money. Even with a low wage job, you should have been to save at least enough to pay the rent at an apartment for 3-6 months, if not more. Where has your money been going? Look…your sister doesn’t have to allow you to live in her home. That she has for the length of time that she did is an indicator that she cares for you. Now you have to begin to care for yourself. Sorry if that sounds cold, but at least she didn’t toss you out in the streets. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/31 "2014-04-11T03:03:07Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > A few things I have learned: When staying with relatives… > > As my mother used to say, “After three days fish stink”. [Your mother knew Ben](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/benjaminfr151622.html)?? > [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > Aren’t those benefits extremely limited? Don’t they only run for a few weeks or months? Australia is known for having families with multiple generations on the dole, never having worked all their lives. It was that way when I was living there. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/32 "2014-04-11T03:04:12Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > Aren’t those benefits extremely limited? Don’t they only run for a few weeks or months? Not in Australia mate, you can stay on the dole for years. Also you should probably qualify for a redundancy payment if your job is being made redundant which it sounds like it is. Speak to the workplace ombudsmen or a job counselling service, this is about 4 - 6 weeks pay per year of service for most people (depends on award or if you are an employee or contractor) $300 a week plus rent assistance, free medical, cheap public transport etc could easily get you a nice room somewhere. Get down to Centrelink mate and look at all options, there are tons out there and there are really no reasons that you should be homeless for extended period unless that is your desire. If we can find places for drugged up single parents they should be able to help you. The issue of mental illness is the big thing here, see your doctor and you can get a referral to psychologist for 12 FREE visits and this can be extended if required. Best thing I ever did! Oh and your sister has asked for a timeline, she hasn’t kicked you out now. Ask if she can help you with Centrelink to help you with the whole anxiety thing, if she can’t get down to salvos or similar. Shit mate it sucks but it’s life. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/33 "2014-04-11T03:06:12Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > [Your mother knew Ben](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/benjaminfr151622.html)?? > > Australia is known for having families with multiple generations on the dole, never having worked all their lives. It was that way when I was living there. Yep very small amounts but they do exist. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/34 "2014-04-11T07:24:57Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > With an extreme mental disability like a ‘social phobia’ you should be able to get a psychiatric diagnosis to qualify you for the Disability Support Pension, or at least the provisional Newstart Allowance. It may not be a lot of $, but it will be enough to pay for a crappy room in a shared house, and enough to pay for Mi Goreng noodles for most of your meals. > > You might need to LEAVE your job though before it terminates…go visit your GP and take his advice from there. It may mean that you can continue to get wages while still being eligible for PNA. > > Just be warned that they’re really cracking down on DSP applications. Despite multiple physical disabilites, they’ve knocked ME back. Heaven help those with a mental condition! I’m already being treated for the social phobia. The drug prescribed to me helps enough to allow me to function and I will be able to attend interviews. But I still can’t bring myself to apply by phone when I see a suitable job advertised. So it’s email applications only for me. I want to avoid a Disability Pension if I can. There’s a lot of negative reactions toward people on disability especially if it’s due to a mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/35 "2014-04-11T07:26:04Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Sorry, but none of this makes a lick of sense. Really? What are you confused about then? ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/36 "2014-04-11T07:38:59Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Sorry, the change time limit cut me off - here’s the full post: > > Sorry, but none of this makes a lick of sense. Your family is kicking you out knowing you’ve no place to go? It doesn’t sound like it - sounds like they asked you to come up with a plan and timeline for when you will be leaving, and don’t know you’ll soon be unemployed. Which comes across like you being a drama queen, tbh. > > And you have to live in your car, rather than get your own place? You’ve no savings despite living in someone else’s home for the last two years and driving a 19 year-old car, at age 52 (typically the largest expenses people have are places to live and transportation)? Where’s your money been going all this time? With social phobia I doubt you’re out clubbing every night, so…? > > Here’s what actually appears to be happening: you’re being asked to get your shit together before you’re old enough to retire, which is none too soon. You’ve got weeks more income coming in and you’ll be collecting unemployment for some time after that, so rather than write off even attempting to find another job, you could actually try, imaginary phobias or not (yeah, I’m not big on everyone self-diagnosing themselves with problems, sorry). > > If your sister really is kicking you out, you’ve the time and resources to _buy_ a place to live, in the form of an old, small RV/camper/caravan, if you’re truly that desperate. There are several on[ebay.aus](http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-Econovan-Camper-Van-Motor-Home-Camper-Camping-Van-Lots-of-Extras-/161272541031?pt=AU_Caravans_RVs&hash=item258c97af67&_uhb=1), and that will beat attempting to live out of a car. They don’t know that I have no place to go and they won’t. I do not want to impose on them any longer if they feel uncomfortable having me there and I don’t want them to feel guilty about it either. You are correct in my not having any money. I have been propping up the only friends I have for the last few years. When my income stops and I can no longer help them they will lose their business and their home. They made a really big mistake by cheating the tax man a few years ago and it has cost them their original business and over $20 million dollars in assets. But they are my friends and I wanted to try and keep them going. That’s where my money has been going. I am trying to get another job. I am applying but obviously there are other candidates who are not still cutting code in their 50s and who will be able to sell themselves better in an interview. I will certainly find another job but not in time to avoid my friends being bankrupted or me being temporarily homeless. I don’t have imaginary phobias. That is a very ignorant, judgemental thing to say. Do some research. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/37 "2014-04-11T07:44:03Z")
> [@LibrarySpy](#): > > Social phobia is an easily treatable medical condition. It is not a disability. Go see your doctor. Treatment might help you with other aspects of your life, the ones **epbrown01** mentions. I’ve often read that it’s easily treatable but in my case it has not been so. I was prescribed an antidepressant called Parnate three years ago that has alleviated the symptoms quite a lot but it’s not a cure. On medication I am merely very affected rather than severely. I have tried many other medications and various types of talk therapy in the past with no results. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/38 "2014-04-11T07:45:20Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Don’t give up Imasquare … this is just a speed bump in life. > > you will get another job … you will get another place to live > you will be all the wiser … you won’t make the same mistakes next time. > > Don’t give up … stay active. Try volunteer work at the soup kitchen, share your testimony with anyone that will listen. > > Stay clean, stay healthy, stay away from other street people drink just water, give up all known sin, have a little talk with Jesus, enjoy the fresh air. > > I’ll never forget using my back pack for a pillow and sleeping near the dumpster where people drop off donations for the salvation army and waking up with no backpack. Everything I had left was in that backpack and all I could do is walk away and start all over again. > > That was 1984 30 years ago and I am still alive and healthy and a better person for what I went through. Life is just a series of speed bumps, don’t give up, time is on your side. > > Watch out for cops and bad guys, put your back against the wall and think of a way out, but no suicide okay. Life is worth living even if it’s on the bottom rung of the ladder. > > Stay in touch on here through the library or something like Wi-Fi pad. > > I was forty when I hit bottom and now I am 70 … you’ll make it > > God bless Thank you. You are a kind person. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/39 "2014-04-11T07:47:11Z")
> [@Vita\_Beata](#): > > Broomstick, Yes, I did read that Imasquare is in Australia … but I’m thinking there are most likely temp agencies to be found there as well. Is that not a good assumption? Apologies to Imasquare if I’m giving bad advice. Thanks Vita Beata. It is good advice. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780/40 "2014-04-11T07:50:56Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > The following are some matters that caused my BIL to complain to my sister when I visited her. I’m talking about a visit that lasted for just 2 or 3 hours. He complained to her behind my back but smiled at me and welcomed me to my face. > > Do you engage in any habits that they might consider objectionable? Specifically, drinking, smoking, any form of drug usage? (even extremely mild usage, including prescription drugs). > > Have you had any interaction with their children that they could view as objectionable? Even though you can’t imagine it being objectionable? > > Are the hours you keep markedly different from theirs? Would that create a source of conflict for them or their children? > > Do you clean up after yourself? One of the most common reasons why a houseguest wears out their welcome is because they leave dirty dishes for the lady of the house to clean up. Substitute “dirty dishes” for “dirty laundry” or just about anything else that would require your sister to clean up. > > Basically, do you do anything that causes your sister to do any work that she would not have to do if you weren’t there? > > Finally, have you broken anything in their home? Have they complained to you about anything that you’ve done that cost them money or caused them any extra work? Any reason at all that would cause them to resent your presence? I go out of my way not to be a nuisance to them. I don’t drink or smoke. I do take prescription meds for hypertension and anti-depressants but they take meds for hyper-tension and their son who is moving home takes anti-depressants. I’m not actually there very much. It’s a 2 hour commute each direction to work so I leave at 7 am and don’t arrive home again until 8:30 pm. Then I’m in bed an hour later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-looks-like-i-am-going-to-be-homeless-and-unemployed/685780.md?page=3)