There is definitively a barrier of entry in software and it helps if you do a bunch of things that are discussed here in this thread.
On the other hand, if you just need a job as a programmer and have skills like OP seems to have, and apply for junior positions, possibly through a contractor, then you will get a job.
This is for anyone who reads these threads and wonders "am I good enough?" "can I be a programmer?"
Yes.
In the end you'll have an actual job as a real programmer doing Java at a bank and soon you'll realize the job is kinda boring and most of your colleagues are kinda average at their job and you realize why companies would advertise to find mid-senior level people :-)
But you've made it. You started kinda late in life and you wondered if you were smart enough to do it, but of course you put in the work and you got the results.
And now it's up to you if you want to cruise along or use that precious skill, the ability to sit down in the evenings and study and practice, and go on to do something you'll be proud of.
Can you do it? Yes.
Stop applying to junior jobs and thinking of yourself as a junior. "junior" is just code word for "pay me less". Get yourself to where you need to be and just apply for regular roles.
And then there's the practical issue of living without a job while you get education, build experience, etc.
In my opinion, "junior" is code word for entry-level, and it's the easiest search query to find those jobs.