Being in a very similar place I can understand you and your mothers frustration. My suggestions are first: see if she can consolidate her loans (if she hasn't already), this often reduces the amount of monthly payments. Secondly, she needs to contact the institution(s) she has the loans through and see what type of arrangements can be made to extend the time she pays them off; thereby reducing the monthly payment, etc. I realize at her age neither of these are good options. It is best if she does not go into default--the gov. can be nasty about collections. You might also try a free consultation with an attorney you TRUST to see if there are other methods for reducing or removing these loans. There maybe a way of dealing with them through bankruptcy. At her age that might be a better option then working and worrying herself to death trying to raise the funds for payoff. Good Luck.

Contact the Univ. of Oregon Dental School in S.W. Portland--they should be able to help you for a small fee or free.

Contact a credit counseling service to help set up payments on your credit cards. Discuss options for paying off your loans at a slower pace--get a second job and apply the money to your bills only...all options are proven to work well for the situation you are in.

I am 53 years old, my husband of 20 years dumped me two years ago for a 20 year old. My half of the settlement was 30,000 dollars in debt, a son with a disability, a daughter in college, and my youngest incarcerated, because he reacted to a beating from his father. I have been diagnosed with chronic depression, Post traumatic stress syndrome, and ADHD. I am barely able to keep up with the rent, basic groceries, health insurance, and medication while everything else sits on the side lines. I work part-time and attend college full-time and have recently recovered from cancer surgery and radiation therapy. With every month lasting longer than my funds I truly understand what it is like to have your assets represented by the cloths on your back. That having been said, I must admit I am appalled at the large numbers of people posting on this site that have dug their way into a hole and now expect others to fork over the funds to repair their mistakes. The U.S. Constitution gives each of us the right to pursue happiness--there is no guarantee that you will find it. My suggestion to most of you is quit looking for handouts and start working on a plan to lift yourself out of the hole you are now in. Applying for a job and waiting for them to call is not looking for employment. Visit them weekly until they hire you just to get your out of the personnel office. It is a long process; I know that from personal experience; an experience I am still in the middle of. However, the feeling of accomplishment is one that cannot be described in mere words. If you have hospital bills contact the hospital about their financial assistance program that reduces or erases any medical debts. If it is credit card debt then work out a settlement plan or call a credit counseling service. If you need a little help with food contact the Salvation Army about their basic food donation programs. In many areas they offer cheese, peanut butter, fruit, butter, and other necessities to help your food dollar go further. But, for God's sakes stand on your own two feet and be responsible for your current situation and for finding the answer at the end of your own two arms instead of someone else’s.

Linda33, Speak with the hospital billing department. Almost all hospitals have a financial assistance program that will erase your bill if you fit within their parameters, which are quite lenient. I believe the hospital in my area is 275% of the poverty level--somewhere around $30,000 a year for two people. Also take your looser ex to court...all you need due is contact the courthouse where the child support and divorce was ordered or the county social services department. You may never see a penny, but they will make your ex husband suffer enough it should lift your spirits if nothing else. You also need to check to see about his canceling of the health insurance. In most divorce decrees there is a stipulation against this. The court system does not like it when they give a court order and people decide to ignore it. There are many county services that will help you with this,, also legal aid and some attorney's will take cases pro-bono (work for free) depending on your situation. Go after the jerk and make his life as miserable as he has made yours, check into state and federal support to return to school if you need to, get your education, a good job, take care of your child and move on with life. If I can do it anyone can. Good luck. surphette