At the start of the pandemic, my 67-year-old father lost his job as a Chicago taxi driver after more than 20 years. He joined the ranks of the unemployed and could no longer cover his rent. He qualified for unemployment benefits and rental relief, but technological hurdles stopped him from getting the help he urgently needed. Without a computer or easy internet access, he relied on his iPhone, which he often fumbled over. As his millennial daughter, I served as his personal tech support agent as much as I could.
My father lives alone an hour away from me; as much as I’ve tried to intervene, some things have still fallen through the cracks. I feared that his health and financial problems would worsen. Chicago’s citywide lockdown dried up demand for taxis, forcing him to give up his medallion, which was worth about $25,000. With everyone sheltering in place indefinitely, he couldn’t afford to pay roughly $800 per month for the medallion fee, maintenance fees, and insurance. This turn of events put me on edge; he had just lost his only source of income. Would he lose his home next?
Read Full Article »