My landlord doesn't take checks or give me receipts?

My landlord told me after I moved all my furniture in that she can’t take a check, so I gave her cash, then she wouldn’t sign a receipt. I really have to be honest here, I didn’t pay much attention to it. Now, I have lost my job and all I did was each month keep my withdrawal slips with a note in the memo ‘rent to ___and the date. I now need to prove I paid rent for the past 4 years. Am I completely screwed here? Yes, I have found out that she collects welfare, only pays taxes on a one family, and the apartment is illegal. I do not have money for a lawyer anymore, and the town tells me to go to the county and vs versa. Any advice?