In Hinesville, Georgia, 55-year-old Iris Smith is waging two battles, one for her life and another for her dignity.
Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, Smith has found herself homeless and financially stranded, struggling to keep her family afloat as she awaits long-delayed disability benefits.
Smith’s story, recently reported by WTOC, has resonated deeply across Georgia and beyond. Once a hardworking mother and caregiver, she now finds herself fighting to survive in a system that too often leaves the most vulnerable behind.
“It’s been quite scary at times,” Smith admitted, describing the uncertainty of each day.
After her diagnosis earlier this year, Smith was forced to quit her job. Without an income, she quickly fell behind on rent. Her disability payments, which has been approved but not set to begin until January 2026, left her in a painful limbo: too sick to work, yet not supported enough to live.
Despite her illness, Smith continues to care for her disabled daughter and grandchildren, whose needs she has always prioritized above her own.
“Thinking of them makes me stronger and makes me want to move forward every day,” she said. “I’m doing this not just for myself, but for them as well.”
It Could Happen to Anyone
Smith’s niece, Shanta Noel, a licensed social worker, has become her advocate and voice of reason. Noel says Iris’s plight is not an isolated case, it’s a reflection of how fragile financial stability can be, even for those who work hard and play by the rules.
“Sometimes it’s a person who’s trying to make all the right choices and do all the right things,” Noel said. “And these unfortunate things still end up happening to them.”
Smith’s story underscores a painful truth: in America now. The lack of immediate access to disability payments or emergency housing has left many families like hers trapped in cycles of temporary shelters and uncertainty.
Community Rallies, But the Need Is Greater
Since losing her home, Smith has been staying with her sister while continuing chemotherapy and treatment. Local organizations such as Another Chance Ministries have stepped up to provide food, prayer, and short-term assistance.
A GoFundMe page created on her behalf has so far raised just over $1,900 (as of Oct. 25, 2025), a meaningful start, but far from what’s needed to secure stable housing and ongoing medical care.
