A household of one adult and two children sought assistance after the client’s husband, the primary breadwinner, left. The client, vision-impaired due to a rare disease, was unable to work, and the bills quickly piled up. Struggling to make ends meet, she reached out to Sunnyvale Community Services and enrolled in the Homelessness Prevention Services (HPS) program.
Through the program, the client secured parttime work caring for her granddaughter through a CalWORKs-funded childcare program. While this job provided some relief, it didn’t fully cover household expenses. To supplement her income, the client opened a child support case, helping her pay most bills. However, her budget remained tight, and she feared future instability. To ease her financial strain, the client rented out the second bedroom of her apartment to a reliable roommate starting in January 2023.
This new arrangement allowed her to cover rent, manage bills, and save for emergencies. The client also applied and was approved for Social Security disability benefits, that will provide long-term stability. With active participation in the program and support from HPS, the client is on a path to self-sufficiency and a stronger financial foundation.