I feel like I've been trying so hard to dig myself out of this hole I've been living in for 3 years. And when I finally start to scratch the surface enough to see open sky, somehow dirt gets shoveled right back into my face.
I've come a long way so far. I dropped out of school in 2007 (just short of earning my Associate's degree, no less) because of social anxiety. I lived with this anxiety and depression for 3 years that got so suffocating I just couldn't take it anymore. I gave in and went to get advice. Anyway, I've been working on my anxiety and depression and after 3 years I'm finally in the process of getting back to school. Things should be great, right? Wrong.
I've worked at the same department store for 4-5 years. I'm a pretty good worker. I do what is asked of me well and quickly. I do so many things in that store from register to replenishment, to unloading the truck to jewelry. I mean, I am pretty versatile! But somehow, I get absolutely no hours! People who don't show up at all, who quit and then come crawling back 3 months later, get 20-30+ hours. How many do I get a week? 6....6 freaking hours to live on! Luckily I live with my mom or I'm pretty sure I'd be homeless and hungry. I mean seriously, though! I'm trying to get my life together....get back into school and save for a new car (that I desperately need) and a house. I can't even afford to pay my cell phone bill. And not to mention I have an appointment with my therapist every week that costs an arm and a leg! It's beginning to snow ball and I'm just trying to hard to keep my head above water. I really feel like I'm sinking and I'm so fed up with that job I just want to say eff it. I really am to the point of total apathy, The stress...the gas it takes to get there is not worth it. I'm trying to find a job but there's honestly nothing! Ugh, and then I look at all these other people around me in new cars, clothes and shoes. And what have I got? Nothing. Sorry about the rant and no one really had to read all of this. I'm just so ready to scream though.

Have you looked into food stamps/financial aid? I know how it feels to be told you should be on it, I've been there, but remember I don't know anything about you or your situation but what you've written here, so don't let the suggestion get you down. The help is out there, if you need it. Apparently it isn't that difficult to get, though I'm sure the process of applying is trying, not to mention the weight of having to accept that you need it, on top of all the stress you're already carrying. Of course, food stamps would only help you if your mom's charging you for or making you buy your own food.
Also, I'm going to suggest getting rid of that cellphone, especially if you already still have a land line. I can't and won't say the same about your therapist appointments, but if you have any other high expenses that aren't needs, do your best to cut them. If it costs more to fulfill the requirements of your current job than you make there, cut that, too.
Don't give up your search for a new or second job. It's been tough going for a long time and it will probably be a long time before that changes, but if you don't give up, eventually you will find something.
Just don't give up.

(And all those people you see with new cars and clothes and sparkling possessions? I'm willing to bet that's 98% pure debt. Just because they have the credit to pretend to be better off doesn't mean they actually are -- often enough it just makes things worse.)

i think you should start thinking positively. and things would be a little better. like i just did. i was once depressed. well, not like your situation though but i'm depressed over something. its a matter of time before i can say that am through with this stage but... i just keep on thinking it would be better and still live my life to the fullest.

You have to make sure you're standing out.

Tell them that you want more hours. Tell them that when they need to call someone in for work that you should be at the top of the list because you'll always come in no matter what (and then actually come in.) Say how much you love this job to them. Ask other people for their hours if anyone sighs unhappily that they get too many hours.

They'll start giving you more hours if you express yourself in this way constantly. Because you'll be reliable and the fact that you're reliable will be constantly on their mind.

You want to stand out as a harder worker than everyone else and that's how you do it. Being very verbal and in everyone's face showing them how much you are dedicated to this job. I'm not talking about "rubbing it in" but I have gotten jobs as managers at places and lots and lots of hours by constantly having this attitude. And the places I didn't have this attitude in I pretty much got nothing.

My advice would be to find a new job before you quit this one. Start by telling (not asking) your boss that you need more hours, and if you don't get those hours, you're going to be forced to seek employment somewhere else. Of course, this could just backfire in your face, but that's why you look for another job before doing anything drastic with this one... That way you have something to fall back on.

Although, I do understand that the economy in the states is just awful right now... So it might not be as easy as that to just find a new job. But there's no harm in trying.

There was a neighbor that had a Donkey that was a far better Donkey than your Donkey. Every time you took your Donkey to shows, your neighbor's Donkey was there to steal the Blue Ribbon. One day, you decided to destroy that Donkey. You crept onto your neighbor's lawn and dug a 12 foot hole. You pushed the Donkey into it. Delighted at your accomplishment, you began shoveling dirt onto the Donkey. With each successful shovel, the Donkey shook off the dirt and stamped it down. You paid no mind and continued on your endeavor. As you threw the last shovel of dirt on the Donkey, the Donkey shook it off and stepped onto the land you were standing upon.

Moral of the story: Gracefully accept each shovel of dirt and stamp it down.