The past doesn't matter. What matters is now. Sounds to me like you have serious problems that you need to reckon with. Just curious, if your family's situation is so precarious why are you spending time on FR an not out working or looking for work?
I have been up since 2AM looking and applying online.
The way it is done around here is to visit the company web site and apply. Very time consuming but I also receive several emails giving me long lists of supposed jobs that are available.
I have gone on interviews and have watched people enter and ask for an application. The people were told this is all done online and to use their computer or they can do this in their home.