Financial Challenges Support Group
This community is for people who are struggling to meet financial obligations of any kind. Financial challenges include everything from the day-to-day challenges of making ends meet to managing credit card debt to bankruptcy. Get support from others who are going through similar obstacles on the road back to financial stability.
It's been a while since I posted here, but I need some help. I lost my job in May, 2008. My unemployment ended May, 2010. Since then, I have used up every drop of savings and everything else I had. I just filed for SSD and SSI, as well as food stamps, medicaid, and temporary assistance. I know it will take a while to be approved for SSD and SSI, but how long does it take to get the other things from social services? I thought I would get food stamps quickly because I have no way to buy food-no money or charge cards to use. My cards are frozen because I haven't been able to pay anything on them. The biggest problem is that up until this month, I've been paying for COBRA-$600 a month. I need insurance because I have a TBI, lupus, fibromyalgia, DDD. and lymphedema from breast cancer surgery. Like I said, I have filed for disability and social services, and am just waiting to be approved.
My problem is I don't know what to do. I can't pay for anything, but most important is my COBRA-I have monthly appointment with my neurologist and other doctors, and take 12 different prescriptions every day. In 11 months I can apply for a reverse mortgage, and will be able to survive then. But what do people do while they are waiting to be approved for the services I've applied to? Should I claim bankruptcy? Or do I just let things wait until I get disability? Or is there something else I can do. I've put off applying for the disability because I wanted to keep looking for a job (plus, disability does not give you much to live on). But my neurologist insisted I do, because I fell a year ago, and have a MTBI that still affects me-dizziness, memory loss, no concentration, and head pain. It is not safe for me to drive. I haven't had enough money to pay for insurance or registration. Haven't been able to pay for house insurance. I know I can't drive the car without insurance, but what happens if I can't pay for house insurance until I get my services? Has anyone been in this situation, and if so, what did you do?
Sorry this got so long, I just feel lost right now. Thanks for your help, and God Bless. Kathy
My problem is I don't know what to do. I can't pay for anything, but most important is my COBRA-I have monthly appointment with my neurologist and other doctors, and take 12 different prescriptions every day. In 11 months I can apply for a reverse mortgage, and will be able to survive then. But what do people do while they are waiting to be approved for the services I've applied to? Should I claim bankruptcy? Or do I just let things wait until I get disability? Or is there something else I can do. I've put off applying for the disability because I wanted to keep looking for a job (plus, disability does not give you much to live on). But my neurologist insisted I do, because I fell a year ago, and have a MTBI that still affects me-dizziness, memory loss, no concentration, and head pain. It is not safe for me to drive. I haven't had enough money to pay for insurance or registration. Haven't been able to pay for house insurance. I know I can't drive the car without insurance, but what happens if I can't pay for house insurance until I get my services? Has anyone been in this situation, and if so, what did you do?
Sorry this got so long, I just feel lost right now. Thanks for your help, and God Bless. Kathy
To answer some of your questions, how fast you are approved for foodstamps depends on your state In my state for example, emergency or natural disaster food stamps can be approved in as little as 24 hrs or one week since everything is electronic now. Not sure about your state but if its been more than two weeks since you've applied you can always call your case worker to find out about your approval status
If you need food or something to eat everyday you can try the local food pantries in your area. Usually the best time of the month to go is the 1st two weeks of the month since food and supplies usually dwindle by the third week of the month Also, try your local soup kitchen or meal center. In my area the local Salvation Armies serve a hot lunch everyday and our local St. Vincent DePaul's can bring food boxes to those who can't get around.
As with your medicaid, while you're waiting to be approved I highly recommend finding out if your current drs and specialists accept medicaid. In my state they don't back date to cover bills you had prior to applying also, in my area its hard to find doctors and specialist that take medicare/medicaid You can also explain your situation to your doctor/specialist and ask if there is a generic or cheaper prescription you can take. If you go to a hospital for treatment you can also ask if the hospital is affiliated w/ a discount pharmacy Some of the hospitals here have there own discount pharmacy where prescriptions are only $3 or $4
If thinking about bankruptcy In my opinion I would wait to file or consider it after you get approved or denied for SS. Not sure how disability rules are for your state but for my state Having too much income, like being awarded a settlement or even cashing in bond/insurance etc it can affect your SS income & failure to report temporarily or permanently cut your SS income depending on how much money outside of SS you have In my state also being on SSD also limits how much you can have in savings in the bank.
If its not safe for you to drive any longer, is there a way that you can sell the car and apply it to your house insurance once you get the registration up to date? If not, you could try calling your insurance lender to see if they'd be willing to work with you on a payment plan.
Lastly, not sure if it'll help or not but with the weather changing you can also see if your state offers a home energy assistance program like HEAP that can help w/ your energy/utility costs. Also, not sure if your local phone company offers this service or not. But in my area the local phone company offers a discounted phone service for those on assistance like disability or food stamps.
Good Luck I hope things look up for you soon! :)