Budgeting tips when income drops - any advice?

I am $300 short each month and trying to find it. There are 6 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. The rent is fixed and the car payment is high. What helped you?

Check for energy assistance programmes. I got a credit that covered two bills.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.