I live in Jefferson Parish and struggle to pay bills every month

(Request from Bonnie in Harvey, Louisiana) I would like to know if you  can help me.  I’m in $2000 debt, and I don’t have the money to pay off, every month I have to struggle to pay my bills.  I am 63 yrs old, suffering from chronic hypertension, diabetes and kidney problems.  I gets a check, but It’s not enough to pay my bills and pay off these other bills. I am willing to pay back, if you can help me.   Thank you very much.

Dear Bonnie,

I surely empathize with your situation. I realize that it is not easy trying to cover all of your bills on a fixed income. Add in your medical problems and it makes it more expensive, plus you may find it difficult to work.

There is a real conflict that we should examine here though. I know that you have good intentions and would surely repay a loan if someone lent the money to you, that is, if you had the money available to repay the loan.

When you borrow money for rent, you are basically acknowledging that you can normally afford to pay your normal rent, plus a little extra towards a monthly payment so that you can pay off a loan. The purpose of a rental loan is to help you maintain your on-time payment history while you overcome a short-term economic hardship. These can work really well for people who exceed the income limits of most local rental assistance programs.

You stated that you have to struggle every month to pay your bills. This tells me that your situation is not a temporary one. A chronic financial hardship means that you will not benefit by borrowing money. In fact, it can make matters much worse. Keep in mind that payday loans and other predatory loan products are widespread in Louisiana. A predatory loan in Jefferson Parish can be unaffordable even for someone earning a decent wage.

I strongly recommend that you steer clear of rental loans and instead focus on subsidies that can give you permanent assistance. There are some programs in Jefferson Parish that could help.

You will find that these organizations can provide you with a case manager who will also likely talk you out of seeking a company that offers a loan in Jefferson Parish. Instead, they will provide real help so that you can pay your bills without struggling.