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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:31 pm Subject: Modest Needs

Not sure if this is the right spot for it on the forum or not, but I found a place for people who need assistance with basic living needs like rent, moving costs, medical emergencies, back utilities, etc. I am trying it out myself because after getting out of the payday loan trap and the high winter bill, we got behind. So I will update you on the progress at Modest Needs. As far as I understand it, it's not a loan, but a donation, but you do have to demonstrate a true need to back up your request with documentation. It's just another thing out there to consider before turning to a payday loan.

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:53 pm Subject:

I wish that your situation becomes easier. Good luck!

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:25 pm Subject:

Joshua...that's such a good idea!! Thank you for posting that. I don't need it but I am sure there are many others especially with children that could use that service. I remember years ago when I was first divorced and living as a single mom with 2 small kids, money was very tight. There were several times I needed help like that and had no where to turn.I remember having to go to a friend or actually having my electric turned off more than once because I couldn't make the bill till payday.

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:40 pm Subject:

Well, it took a month for my Modest Needs request to be funded, but they sent the email saying help is on the way! I am so happy to be caught up on our utilities again. We are doing much better financially after we got the payday loans out of the way, but this the Modest Needs grant is a relief to have!

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:44 am Subject:

Joshua, I am glad that your situation will be resolved. It was so smart of you not to get a PDL , thinking it would correct your problem. It is a very short term solution, with what seems like forever ramifications. Good for you seekig out a different way .

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:54 am Subject:

Hi Joshua. I am so thankful that you posted this. This is a great alternative to a pdl. Smile

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:52 am Subject:

Congrats Josh I was just thinking about you the other day. I am glad to here that things are looking brighter for you these days:)

ladybug

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:21 am Subject:

Hi Josh, glad to see you again!

I took your advice on Modest Needs and am waiting for funding now on repairs for my van. After I had the estimate done, thinking it needed maintenance items only (belts/hoses replaced, new tires, maybe brakes, tune up, etc.), I found out it needs much more major work (wheel cylinders, brakes, radiator replacement, etc.) and the total for everything is around $1700. So I had the estimate pared down to just the absolutely necessary things - the things that might cause the van to leave me on the side of the road one day soon - and got it just under $1000, so I could qualify for a grant from Modest Needs. All of my documents have been approved, I'm just waiting for funding now.

Josh, thank you so much for bringing this organization to our attention - it brings much-needed help to those who ACTUALLY need it. Very Happy

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:31 am Subject:

Well good luck Sue I hope that you get your accounted funded quickly. Laughing

ladybug

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:41 am Subject:

thanks, Ladybug...I'll just have to do the other repairs (the other $700) in stages...a little here and a little there.

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:02 am Subject:

Tha's what we have to do with our cars, SueeBee. We fix the most desperate thing first, and go from there Laughing

Good Luck, and I am glad yu are getting some relief!!..Karen

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:14 pm Subject:

Good luck with your grant Suebee! I just wanted to provide another little update. I received the notification email from Modest Needs last Tuesday and got the check in the mail by Friday!!! So it does not take very long to reach you once you get the notification that your grant has been funded. I sent my check to the utility company on Monday and they got it this Wednesday, and I am so happy!

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:57 am Subject:

Thanks for the update, Josh! I'm still waiting - and I'm curious - did your qualification score bounce up and down all through the process before funding? Mine has been everywhere from a 6.0 to a 7.33, then back down and back up again. I'm really hoping it gets funded before my time runs out and I have to reapply again. When I applied, I was only doing it based on the maintenance the van needed, but then I found out it needed much more work than expected...but I can't change the application for the grant once it's submitted, so it still appears to be a kind of non-urgent need.

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:14 am Subject:

SueBee- is there any way to contact them, it seems like it's been a while since you applied, but I don't know how long it takes.

Can you maybe tell them your van was in alot worse shape than you thought, and now it is more an urgent need? Good Luck,let me know what happens!!..KAren Very Happy

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:15 am Subject:

Yes, my score started at 9.0 from the first day, but as more votes and time went on it went from a 8 something but finally settled down to about 7.25 to 7.10 range for the last couple of weeks. It took me about a month for me to hear anything, so you may have to give it some time. Also, if you saved the first email from that states what documentation you need to send to them, there should be phone, fax number, contact name, and email address of your state's Modest Needs advocate that you could try to contact.

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:59 am Subject:

Thanks Karen & Josh - I did contact Modest Needs about a week ago and asked if I could insert a bit more information into my application indicating that the situation is not as "easy" as it first appeared, and is actually more urgent - they said I couldn't change anything about my application unless I cancelled it and completely re-applied. If I don't get funded by next Monday, I may do exactly that. I won't delay things any further than if I waited for the month's time to expire for funding and then had to re-apply anyway. (Apps are only valid for a month, then they expire and you have to reapply.)

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