Is there such a service offered in the U.S.? Yes, many of them in virtually every city and town. Often college and university students assist with simple returns at free tax clinics. Also church groups, drop in centers, shelters, etc. enlist volunteers to donate their time and expertise. TV stations and newspapers run Public Service Ads advising people within certain income confines where to go for free help.

Ok, so here is a bit of reality for those of you who responded about using my Social Security for the "extra" income I need. I "qualify" for full SS since I am 65, but they have denied my benefits because of ----my income. That's right. You see, if you work all your life, put yourself through undergrad all on your own for 15 years, then go to grad school for 6 years while adopting a baby at age 37, followed by working for a few incompetent and/or unethical bosses, move on to starting your own agency, and eventually becoming a little bit successful at what you do -- you are PENALIZED for it when you NEED some of that money back you've paid to SS all those years. Yes, I "make" a good income, but what I actually take home to pay my bills is not always enough, despite living a pretty frugal life. Therefore, like I said when I posted this question, I will always have to work, and am simply looking for the simplest/best/easiest way to stay in my own home by turning some of the space into income. I feel like I deserve this. I am leaning toward buying a free standing kitchenette (by Acme or Summit, which are very popular in NYC/Hong Kong where space is a real premium). This would require simply putting a lock on a common door, adding some minor electrical and plumbing, and living in half of my home while renting the other half to a medical/grad student. Are there foreseeable problems? Perhaps! But moving out of my home is not an option. And this could pay for half of my mortgage, making that payment below what I would have to pay for a smaller rental house in an undesirable neighborhood if I did move. Not exactly feeling the love from some of you posters, but to those of you who offered encouragement, I thank you.

Thanks for the well wishes you two. This particular daughter felt it in her best interest to break her lease and move out of that apt complex. She couldn't take it anymore. She paid the rent through the end of her lease and was content to live in a cardboard box if need be to be rid of the living conditions. Her physician was convinced she had contracted one of the hepatitis viruses from the filth at the apt complex as she needed several ER visits and subsequent hospital admissions.. Turned out she did not have hepatitis thankfully, but had to have her apendix removed. It was a rip roaring year for sure. She moved to another apt building a few months ago costing an extra $400/mo where it's not The Ritz by any stretch, but it seems to be a bit better from what I can tell from Skype video calls. This complex has a locked gate which seems to keep the 'problems' on the other side of the gate. Right outside the gate, but at least not loitering/fighting, living in the bushes, the hallways, laundry room or stairs of the complex proper. She is visibly relieved. Thus, I am as well. She's pleased with the on-site laundry machines at her new to her building. She has a laundry room on her floor. A Speed Queen set she says has no odor to it. (but her sense of smell is poor, so I hope...) She sees steam coming out of this washer which is a relief as she only does hot washes after the two years from hell at the other complex. She adds Borax and LemiShine powder laundry booster to each load as a little insurance and she feels that her Mexican Ariel covers any other 'cooties' that might be lurking in the otherwise odor-less washing machine she uses. Clorox liquid is also in her cabinet and she runs a bleach only wash before she puts her laundry in if she suspects any monkey business has been going on. She's overseas at the moment as a tutor for her university so is washing her clothes in sinks and hang drying. Lamenting the lack of ice and cold beverages in Europe (I warned her) during the heat wave. I got her a package of the Amazon brand laundry sheets type of detergent to make the many airport and train trips easier. She misses her Mex Ariel, but for 6 weeks, these laundry detergent sheets will do the job. She'll be in several countries during her stay, so the detergent sheets are carry-on bag friendlier. Mama, I offered to buy her a portable washer to smuggle into her apt. She gave it serious consideration, but since she just went through landlord after landlord not wanting to rent to her due to her age, she doesn't want to risk anything that would cause her to lose her current improved crummy apt. It was many rental rejections and she just wants to have a habitable slot in a wall to live in at this point. However, when she moves up in the world, she will never use a communal washing machine ever again--she's told me this I don't how many times. Anyhow, when she returns to the states, she'll fly to the airport in the next city here and stay here for a few days, maybe a week. Rest, eat, get her EU laundry thoroughly washed here at home, then back to Uni. The final year. Not a moment too soon. She's ready to shake the filth of her college town off her feet for good. No love lost there. I don't think she'll ever look back. Or go back. Or refer to it by it's proper name even. Hope you all are doing well! <3

Home Depot and Lowes carry Bali and Hunter Douglas. They frequently have 25% off deals that make them much more affordable. Costco also has Graeber under their umbrella and there pricing is good as well. Make sure to have them help you measure very accurately. Good Luck!