[Martha]

What tough breaks! Years ago I used to work on social security appeals and I find it unconscionable that so many people are denied benefits on application and have to appeal to get benefits. Thirty years later the only thing that seems to have changed is that the waiting periods have increased.

It sounds like you should hear on the new job quickly. If you get it, then you are in a better position to use the severence to pay down your mortgage. Otherwise, it looks like you will need it for living expenses. It also sounds like you will have a decision on your house soon as well. So, if both the job and the house sale goes well it looks like you are out of the woods without having to loosen up more cash. For the short term, the line of credit at a credit union or your bank seems to make sense.