<prompt> Human: Im over 30K in debt to the IRS and over 15K in medical bills plus 4K in other credit used to buy necessities over the years whenever I got sick and couldnt work. Im paying 330 per month to the IRS for back taxes with an installment plan and should be paying another 400 per month to keep current but fell behind the past 2 months due to illness. Im self-employed, work alone from home and have been doing so for the past 15 years. I made 40K a year before I started having health issues but now make closer to 30K the past 2 years. The health issues are not permanent but also have not fully resolved. When Im not having health issues, I feel great but it doesnt always last.Im 51 and single since 1995 and have not had a partner since 2009. In other words, Im on my own and dont have someone who helps me financially nor do I have family except for my three children ages 21, 23, and 25. I raised them on my own with no child support and wasnt able to claim any of them on my tax returns--ever--despite the fact that they lived solely with me most of their lives long story and I relocated 2000 miles away back in 2010. My kids are all finally on their own and its been six months since the last one moved out and I moved to a 1 BR for 525month. I dont have health insurance and affordable healthcare is 130month with a 6000 deductible for me so I cant afford it.Ive called several of those places that advertise If youre in debt to the IRS, call us and they all want 3K up front and they cant promise anything. In other words, not an option.My credit just dipped under 600. I dont have any assets except for my car which is worth 5000 and that is paid off. Should I declare bankruptcy? Just stop paying all creditors including the IRS and just save? I know there are IRS options like Offer in Compromise and Currently Not Collectible but I dont seem to qualify for that or any kind of assistance. Should I keep living paycheck to paycheck and hope for the best? I wish I knew someone I could ask. My son suggested this Reddit so here I am. Edit: I didnt indicate my gender because I didnt think it was important. Its interesting to note that many commenters assumed my gender.  <response>: Sorry to hear about this rough patch youre going through. I know it can be uncomfortable to ask but far and away the best solution would be some help from your kids. Even just a small amount each would go a long way. If you could lay out your financial situation as youve done here as well as a plan for resolving it with some assistance from them...hopefully they would prefer some small shared sacrifice to watching the parent who raised them go bankrupt.Im glad to hear you were smart enough not to take the plunge on those IRS debt relief companies. Stay away from them and anyone else making promises that are too good to be true. As far as prioritizing your debt youll probably want to put the IRS at the top of your list - definitely keep trying to work with them but unlike most people you owe they can simply take money out of your paycheckbank account whenever they see fit. You want to avoid that.Bankruptcy isnt fun, or cheap, and it sounds like you still have a chance to avoid it. I really hope your kids can help - you sacrificed for them, hopefully they can do the same for you. Good luck and keep us posted. 