#heating assistance

[batwynn]

I hate that I’m here… again. I’m so sorry that I’m here again. But once again I’ve been trapped in a difficult situation that I’ve tried literally every way to avoid, prepare for, and roll-up-my-sleeves and do it myself. But at every turn we’ve been ignored, let down by professionals, etc. until I’ve been forced to go into debt just to heat my home because others can’t seem to take any responsibility for things that they’re responsible for. This is genuinely my last ditch effort to find even a little help. I can not go through this again. I’m exhausted, sick, and trying my best to scrape together some commission work while dealing with a really bad flare up of my autoimmune disease. (Hooray) I’m coming up short no matter what I do, and I’m desperate.

Please, if you can, donate and/or signal boost this!

For every donation received, there is a ‘anything goes’ offer of art! Please contact me here or anywhere on social media/email if you’d like to request something!

[alex51324]

PSA:  LIHEAP

I decided to repost this separately, in case anyone feels weird about reblogging the post about how it’s OK to scam the welfare system.  

With energy prices expected to be brutal this winter, you should know that income limits for heating assistance may be higher than you think.  (The following details are for the US heating assistance program--I know nothing about any other countries; sorry!)

It’s one of those “funded by the federal government, administered by the state” deals, so the limits do vary by state, but it can be up to 150% of the federal poverty level for your household size.  

Here’s the income table for Pennsylvania, which uses the 150% maximum:

Some states do set their limits lower; the best way to find out the limit where you live is to Google “LIHEAP income limit StateName,” without quotation marks.  

(LIHEAP stands for Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program; it’s the federal name for the program, so it should be findable under that name for every state, even if your state also has another name for it.)  

Most forms of public assistance set their income limits at the poverty line or lower, but LIHEAP is intended to include people who are mostly getting by, but struggle with the extra expense of heating in the winter*.  Therefore, you may qualify for LIHEAP even if you don’t qualify for any other program.  

(*States where excessive heat/lack of AC can be dangerous to human health can also use the funds for summer energy assistance.)

Apart from the income limits, LIHEAP is open to anyone who pays for heat--whatever form of heat it is, and regardless of whether you own or rent your home.  The money usually goes directly to your heating provider, whether that’s a utility (like for gas or electricity) or a vendor (like if you get oil or coal delivered).  

The amount they give you varies by state too, but in mine, it can be up to $1500 for one winter.  

Plus, sometimes they send out a surprise bonus amount to everyone who already got it--it happened once or twice during COVID, and again just recently, which I think was to do with the whole Ukraine/skyrocketing energy prices Situation.  I got $500 worth of heat out of that one--just enough to get a delivery from the oil place and start up the furnace for the winter.)  

[queenofcalamity]

Assistance needed, queer couple can't pay for heat

hi friends, my fiance and I are living in the very north of the United States and cannot afford oil for heating. because of this, weve been using space heaters and this has cost us a bill of $450 for electric due Jan 1st.

My fiance is the only one working since I lost my job, and while I've been looking for a new job, I've had 0 luck. We cannot afford this. It's just the two of us and our mini dachshund and we couldn't even afford gifts for the holidays.

If anyone can help, here are my payment links. Thank you for reading:

PayPal: kjs2985@email.vccs.edu

Venmo: katana-j

Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/summerdust

[hiding-under-the-willow]

It took me a week to finish this and I never came up with a good caption and I refuse to come up with one now it's over I'm done lmao

[icewindandboringhorror]

I made a few new wax seal stamps out of clay (like the ones I did for my worldbuilding stuff forever ago), this time just of random symbols that I thought might look good done in the style of painting over the raised part of the wax or etc. :0c Some of them aren't carved deep enough to really show up that well, but overall they worked okay for being clay lol

[holylulusworld]

The assistant (11) - Heating pads and cupcakes

Summary: You are invisible most of the time.

Pairing: Former!Boss!Steve Rogers x Former!Assistant(plussized)!Reader

Possible pairing: Jake Jensen x Reader, Lloyd Hansen x Reader, Curtis Everett x Reader, Ari Levinson x Reader, Andy Barber x Reader, Mike Weiss x Reader, Ransom Drysdale x Reader

Warnings: flirty CEvans characters, language, plus-sized/chubby reader, protective brothers, Lloyd being Lloyd, arguments, brothers being brothers, fluff, caring brother

A/N: I was on my period while writing this. So, I would like you to please bear with me.

The assistant masterlist

The assistant (10) - Apologies

“Tell me, sugar. How did you meet my brothers?” Ransom sits on one of the chairs at the kitchen counter to watch you, Jake and Mike make breakfast for the hungry pack.

“Do not talk to Y/N,” Jake warns. “I don’t know why Andy even called you. We can handle Captain Asshole on our own.”

“Captain Turd,” Lloyd corrects while walking inside the kitchen. “I think I established the name yesterday.” He grins at Steve who sits at the kitchen table. Steve sips the coffee from the café around the corner and tries to stomach the dry bagel he bought.

“Boys, play nice,” you tut and point the spatula at Lloyd. “We do not fight within these walls. Lloyd, that goes for you too. Have a seat. Coffee is ready and we are almost done preparing breakfast.”

“Uh-huh,” Lloyd plops down on the seat closest to you. “You’re wearing my apron.” He grins.

“Yeah, I figured that this must be yours,” you roll your eyes as he grins like a madman.

“Kiss the cook, he wears a mustache?” Ransom huffs and shakes his head. “That mustache looks stupid on you, Lloyd. Almost as if a caterpillar died on your upper lip.”

“Kiss my ass,” Lloyd snarls in Ransom’s direction.

“Eat shit!” Ransom retorts.

“Guys,” you clap your hands. “We have a busy day ahead. Thanks to the drama you caused yesterday, I agreed to let Captain Rogers stay another day. He didn’t get the chance to see anything but a bunch of idiots fighting each other.”

“Idiots?” Lloyd pouts. “I'm not an idiot. Andy started this. It’s not my fault my brother is an idiot.”

“Lloyd, we do not punch people, and we don’t call them idiots,” you tut. “I told you, no more fighting or I’ll hide your expensive mustache wax for a week. Your mustache will be all fuzzy without it.”

“Cupcake, did you steal my wax?” Lloyd gapes at you. “I didn’t take you for a thief, missy. You better not make it a habit.” He looks at you wearing his apron. “Or make it a habit. I like me a bad girl.”

“She’s got a very good lawyer on her side,” Andy casually walks inside the kitchen. He’s hiding the bruises his brother caused with a brand-new shirt and tie. “I will leave for a few hours. I trust you to not kill each other.”

Lloyd glares at his brother Ransom before he says, “I can’t promise anything. You brought this piece of shit into our house.”

“Lloyd!” He made it. You hand the spatula to Mike, asking him to watch the last pancake to round the kitchen island and slap Lloyd’s ass. He yelps but purrs your name. “No swear words at our home, Lloyd!”

“Our…home!” Jake, Mike, Lloyd, Ari, Andy, and Curtis who just walked inside the kitchen, stare at you in awe. They smile, and then, you end up wrapped in too many pairs of arms.

“GUYS! I can’t breathe!” You protest but it's no use. You get hugged again and again until you feel dizzy.

“Hey, what’s your role in this drama?” Ransom turns around to look at Steve while his brothers are all over you. “Damn, aren’t you Captain America?” He slides off his chair to get a better look at Steve sulk in a corner. “Wait…what is Captain America doing here?”

“They kidnapped my assistant,” Steve grumbles while watching you hug the brothers, one after another. They laugh and joke while exclaiming that you accepted their home as your own.

“Ah, I see,” Ransom nods thoughtfully. “So, you’re unwanted here too, huh?” He grins. “Hmmm…you know. My grandmother always bragged about being related to Captain America. She was a crazy old hag, but I cannot deny you are a spitting image of my grandfather.”

“What are you mumbling about over there?” Curtis didn’t forget about Ransom’s intrusion. He’s still up to give his brother a good beating. “I see, two assholes found each other during desperate times.”

You huff. “Curtis! No swear words! We talked about swear words and impulse control last night.”

“Sorry, Sunshine,” Curtis drops his gaze and sighs. If only he’d got a few minutes alone with Ransom. He’d give his treacherous brother a few more punches.

“I get that having your brother back is scary and opened old wounds. But, you should be happy to have him in your life,” you sniffle. “You don’t get a person you love back so easily.”

“Great, now you made her cry,” Andy wraps you in his arms and runs his hand up and down your back. “They’re stubborn but will behave from now on. I promise.”

“I’m only a little emotional,” you choke out a sob. “I’m on…” You shake your head. The brothers don’t need to know that you’re on your period and almost everything makes you cry. “I saw that cat video…and the cat was so cute and…then you argued... and Mike looked like the lost kitten…It made me so happy…”

“Crap,” Lloyd snaps his fingers to get his brothers' attention. “Alright! Red alert. I repeat. Red alert.”

“What now?” Curtis rolls his eyes at his brother’s antics. “What’s wrong with you?”

Lloyd turns his head toward Curtis. “You, stop sulking and get my wallet.” Lloyd snaps at Curtis before pointing at Mike and Jake. “You two, search for any movie on any platform Y/N will like.”

He crosses his arms behind his back and marches around the kitchen. “Barber don’t get too cozy with her but keep on rubbing her back. Ari, you and Curtis will go to the bakery. We will close for the rest of the week. Get all the cupcakes and shit Jake baked. We’ll need it.”

“What’s going on?” Ransom watches his brothers hastily follow Lloyd’s order. “Where’s the fire?”

“In Y/N’s uterus. Now shut up, pretty boy, and be useful for once,” Lloyd mutters at his brother. “If you want to stay, you’ll go to the guestroom in the west wing and get me all the fluffy pillows and a warm blanket. No, make it two.”

Ransom purses his lips. He weighs his options. If he wants to be part of this family again, he must play along for now. “Fine.”

“Y/N. Cupcake,” Lloyd gently pats your hair. “What’s your favorite brand? Do you need a heating pad? What painkiller do you prefer? Lloyd will get you all you’ll need.”

Steve watches the brothers make of fuzz about your period. He rubs his chin, wondering if what he feels is more than worry.

“Good job everyone!”

Lloyd grins as you snuggle into one of the fluffy pillows. You’re wearing one of Andy’s warm sweaters and the fuzzy socks Jake got for you. Ari wrapped a warm blanket around you after Lloyd carefully put a heating pillow on your lower abdomen.

Mike chose the movies you and the brothers will watch while Andy and Jake prepared food, beverages, and sweets. Curtis is currently massaging your feet while Ransom sits on the other end of the huge U-shaped sofa.

“How do you feel,  Sweetie? Do you feel better?” Jake sits next to your head to gently pat your hair. Do you need anything else?”

“Did I buy the right stuff?” Lloyd asks. He sits on the sofa and stretches his legs out. “Damn, I didn’t know there are so many lady products out there.”

“I’m good,” you murmur and snuggle further into the pillow. The brothers took very good care of you. No one ever put so much into making you feel good. “See, if you work together, you can do anything.”

“So…this is what you do? Getting lady products and feeding a sexy girl with cupcakes,” Ransom grins. “I think I could get used to this…”

“No one asked you,” Curtis huffs. He’s still angry at Ransom for leaving them. Especially, because he used to look up Ransom when he was a kid. Curtis and Ransom shared a special bond, and now, it's broken.

“No more fighting tonight,” Andy stops the brothers from arguing again. “We have a plan, don’t we.” He subtly points at Steve watching you and the brothers from his seat. He chose to sit on an armchair, still not convinced that the brothers did not mean harm to you.

Ransom stares at Steve. He rubs his chin and wonders aloud. “Back to Captain America. Isn’t it odd that he looks so much like Grandfather Steven?”

Part 12

Tags in reblog.

[kayvsworld]

bucky (616) and bonky (mcu) have such different energies so far....like i would trust bucky to run a group project despite his potentially unwise methods i feel that he would be efficient and methodical i do NOT trust bonky. bonky should not be in charge of anything do not ask him for anything he longs to do housework in louisiana

[daftpatience]

one thing I have learned about being poor is that you cannot for a moment stop thinking about it

[myheartismadeofstars]

Heat/Rut headcanons:

There are two "levels" of heat. Shallow heat is where the Omega is capable of functioning normally. Omegas in shallow heat tend to want their pack around them, for safety and bonding. Shallow heats are typically associated with packs gathering together to dote on the Omega. They are capable of caring for themselves, but it's very uncomfortable for them to be alone. Omegas in shallow heat CAN do things like go to work, but most places give Heat Leave (not giving heat leave is a red flag in most countries) typically the only Omegas who choose to work through Shallow Heat are Omegas who don't have a pack, so going to work would actually be more comfortable than being alone.

The other level is Deep Heat. this is the more traditional omegaverse heat. Head empty only breeding instinct. It is triggered by desire. If they are around an attractive person they feel safe with and they (sometimes subconsciously) think would make a great parent they trigger Deep Heat. They might be in Deep Heat for anywhere from an hour to three days. During this time, Omegas must be forced to eat and drink. Deep Heat can be counteracted by the presence of a related person, or any unpresented pup that they have a bond with. If a person is on Heat Suppressants, this is the type of heat they are suppressing, typically.

The most common type of suppressants acts as birth control as well, but it is possible to find some that suppress Deep Heat but doesn't prevent pregnancy (for some people Deep Heat may be triggering or they may have a disorder that causes Deep Heat to be dangerous, but they may still want to have children.) There are some suppressants that block Shallow Heat as well, but they aren't recommended for long term use. They seem to be most often prescribed for Assigned Omega At Birth trans dynamic individuals (though they are still recommended to come off them for a cycle or two every couple years for health reasons) but they were originally created for Omegas with certain health problems.

Heats vary from once every two months to every six months, and they last between 3-10 days. They can be triggered by certain medications, and possibly some foods, very rarely they may be triggered by the Rut of an Alpha but the reverse is way more common.

Ruts are also dependent on the Alpha's mindset, a healthy, secure Alpha who is happily mated will be clingy and jealous and constantly be scenting their Den and establishing boundaries. On the other end of the spectrum are Alphas who are SEVERELY unwell, becoming almost feral and very physically and potentially sexually aggressive. Alphas who go into the latter kind of Ruts can be very dangerous and it isn't uncommon for them to require rut suppressants and/or therapy to help in toning down the effects of their ruts.

Ruts typically happen on a similar frequency to heats (though typically somewhat more frequent) but they don't typically last as long (3-5 days is the average). When mated, it's extremely common (though not guaranteed) that Ruts and Heats would sync up (just ruts can also sync up but unlike with heats this only happens when mated. Heats sync up simply by living together).

In the case of both, fertility is much higher during Heat/Rut but it isn't unheard of to see pregnancy occuring outside of both (typically close to when they would occur).

Betas do not experience Heat or Rut as Omegas or Alphas do. Instead, Beta males have the ability to trigger ovulation in Beta females. (for non-Beta/Beta couples, ovulation can be stimulated with assistive devices designed for the purpose.)

[ricopop]

im emotionally downcast 😭😭😭 @superbellsubways @cephalonheadquarters

[foxune]

Today’s Game: Dillon’s Rolling Western (3DS, 2/22/12)

[mermaidsirennikita]

reading a VERY cute and hot contemporary by TJ Alexander called Chef's Choice, and it's always sooo satisfying when an author does just One Inspired Thing that bumps the book to another level...

and in this case, our American heroine didn't tell the French hero she's been fake dating (a rare moment in which fake dating works for me, and there's an ANCESTRAL COOKING CHALLENGE afoot, it's all quite fun) that she's been strengthening her French for the sake of the cooking challenge, and during their second "it's not serious, it's a one I mean two time thing" hookup he said some Very Intimate Things to her in French which he clearly wouldn't have said during a No Strings Hookup if he'd known that she could understand his ass lmao

and right before the HIGH STAKES COOKING CHALLENGE he walks in on her telling an assistant the ingredients she needs in pretty strong, near-fluent French and he's like "EXCUSEMFUCKINGOI YOU UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING I SAID LAST NIGHT???"

while this poor assistant, who just got here, who does not understand the dynamics but knows that he has just wandered into a very complicated conversation about the fucking that two people he does not know at all did, SHAKES

[marc--chilton]

(mgv) the one heat that house went through while wilson was preoccupied with amber was vicious. he didn't even chance calling wilson to see if amber would allow him to help with his cycle because given how wilson was being swayed by her, house was starting to doubt how effective his neediness was in keeping wilson's attention. the thought of wilson regarding him, even down to the barest quantifier of "omega in heat", with disinterest was too much to even consider.

[mybrainproblems]

all of this is brought to you by spending a lot of time in my garden this weekend and contemplating the major renovation i'm hoping to do next year to electrify my heat and make the kitchen so it isn't a 1960s disaster

[isthisjackie]

Not to continue this negativity train, but I would like to also say how insane it is to live in the US rn. Like I made over $800 last weekend selling my stuff and it was great, and so far have already used like $400 of it for bills and necessities. Like maybe 6 years ago that would’ve been a large amount of money I could probs save and use for after my contract ends, and like it has like vanished in just a few days

[headslikekites]

what if you: wanted to work on artfight prep

but god said: car break down be stressed forever