Woman struggling to make mortgage payment

Dec. 18--A 59-year-old single woman says she is struggling with health and financial challenges.

Last year she lost a part-time job when a store where she worked closed and she lost a second part-time job helping an elderly couple.

She says she received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and, for a while, got modest unemployment insurance benefits. She says she also earned money through miscellaneous occasional jobs, as well as by selling some personal belongings.

This summer she underwent emergency surgery, but developed blood clots in one leg and remains under medical care.

Recently she received notice that her Social Security Disability Insurance benefits were provided in error and was told she must repay tens of thousands of dollars, a finding which she says she is seeking to have overturned.

While she is working in a retail job again two days a week, she expects to become unemployed again at the end of the year. She is seeking assistance with her December mortgage payment.

She is among hundreds of local residents asking for help this season through the Empty Stocking Fund.

----The Empty Stocking Fund is a project of The Santa Fe New Mexican. The Santa Fe Community Foundation, Los Alamos National Bank, The Salvation Army, Presbyterian Medical Services and The Life Link donate services to jointly administer the Empty Stocking Fund.

The newspaper will run stories featuring requests for assistance from local residents. The information from the initial application will be verified if the applicant is selected for assistance.

To donate: Make your tax-deductible donation online at www.santafenewmexican.com/empty_stocking or mail a check to The New Mexican's Empty Stocking Fund c/o The Santa Fe Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827. Donors can request to remain anonymous.

If you can provide a service such as roofing or home repairs, call 505-983-8968.

If you can contribute food, clothing, toys, housewares, furniture, firewood, or other items or services, call 505-988-8054.

If you donate online in honor of a friend or loved one, a custom e-card can be sent from the Empty Stocking Fund to let them know about your contribution, courtesy of the Santa Fe Community Foundation and InSight Foto.

The application process has closed.

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