David McFadden
Founder & Chief Advocate of When Work Stops™
David McFadden
Founder & Chief Advocate
"I built the website I wish had existed when I needed it most."
When work stopped for me, the world didn't pause. The bills kept coming. The phone kept ringing. And the paperwork kept piling up.
I remember sitting at a kitchen table, trying to figure out which program I qualified for, which form came first, and whether I'd still have health insurance next month. I felt alone, overwhelmed, and ashamed for struggling.
That experience never left me. It became the seed of When Work Stops™.
I didn't build this to be the hero of anyone's story. I built it because people in crisis deserve a guide — one clear, calm place that points them toward verified help, practical next steps, and the dignity of knowing they are not alone.
You are the one doing the hard work. We're just here to make the path a little easier to see.
The qualities we hope you feel here.
Integrity
We tell you the truth about what each program offers, what it requires, and where its limits are.
Experience
This work is shaped by people who have walked through hard transitions themselves.
Compassion
We believe dignity matters. You are not a case number. You are a person navigating a hard season.
Stability
We verify, update, and re-check so the information you find here is current and trustworthy.
Trust
If we ever fall short, we want to know. Your feedback makes us better.
Hope starts here.
Not because we have all the answers, but because we believe no one should search for them alone.
We believe people deserve truthful information, compassionate guidance, and hope during life's hardest moments.
If we ever fail to live up to that promise — please tell us. We'll make it right.
— Founder