Defaulted loan & tax offset

I have defaulted on my [Direct] loan, BIG MISTAKE.

I have been very irresponsible, and I wish to correct that.

I haven't filed for my taxes yet, until I can talk to the credit agency who holds my loan, because I am not working right now & if they are going to take my refund, it's going to impose a serious hardship.

I am 24 years old & had heart problems for the last year. I was hospitalized in March & now, I have had to stop working because of it.

I am applying for short term disability, but I don't know when my doctor is going to give me back my paperwork, and then after that, I have to give it to my employer, who has to give it to his insurance company. Until then, I'll have zero income.

My last pay check was $15.61 after taxes. I have very little food (am eating one meal a day), no money for bills, etc.

I am under the care of three doctors and I am going to be meeting with a fourth one this week.

I really would like to do something about my loan, so that I can clean up the mess I made & not have to worry about refunds being taken or anything.

I never got a letter saying my refund will be offset, but I called the Treasury & it said that my loan *may* be subject to offset.

I already receive Medicaid & I am looking into getting food stamps. It's really depressing because my stomach is always hurting from lack of food.

I have my W-2, my last paycheck stubs, bills, etc. I only made $6438.25 for the year, before deductions. I did not have insurance for 10 months out of the year, and had to pay for the doctor, and medications, out of my own pocket.

I also paid for my college tuition, which cost almost 2 grand.

Do you think if I talk to the credit agency and explain my situation, they'll suspend the offset, and help me figure a way to get my loan out of default?

Again, it's my fault for getting into this mess, but I am an adult and I have to face my problem instead of running away from it.