I'm in my 30s so I should be used to this by now, but this shit is getting so stressful guys. I have no savings, my checking account is drained every month with rent, and if there's ever a serious emergency I have no safety net, I'm legitimately fucked. I'm one unplanned expense away from absolute ruin. Those in the same boat as me, how do you deal with this?
Once you qualify for any assistance program (and you are not exploiting a loophole) you don't have to feel bad for using it. You are literally the target audience of the program.
Absolutely true.
Its also a bit eye opening to grow up thinking that you're, "Not rich, but not poor", and then realizing that, "Nope, I'm poor." Its a bit of a shock to the system.