How do you handle bills on unemployment? after 16 years as a teaching assistant

My income is now a fraction of what it was as a teaching assistant and I am trying to cover the essentials. The rent is fixed and the car payment is high. Did lenders work with you?

Sell things you do not use. I made about $250 from a weekend of listing.

I called each lender and asked for a hardship plan. Two agreed to lower payments for a few months.