Hi, Mama-J. There are a lot of Federal, state, and local financial assistance programs out there -- the trick is finding them. There are some tools and helpful articles at:
http://alzheimers.boomja.com/Finding-Financial-Assistance-27304.html
(This site is for Alzheimer's, but the tools will work for people with any sort of health problem.)
You can also check with the VA if you are a veteran, married to a veteran or were married to a veteran. There is a benefit is assistance is needed in at least 2 areas of daily living plus pensions and many other programs through your local VA if you or your spouse is a veteran. Good luck in your search I know from experience how daunting it can be.
http://alzheimers.boomja.com/Finding-Financial-Assistance-27304.html If you have any prescription plan whatsoever, do not bother getting hyped up about these people, even if you are in "the Donut Hole". They will not help you at all. But if you do not have any plan, they appear to be a good company.
GaryB; If you are in the donut hole, check to see if your community has a health clinic with a sliding scale for fees. Our Community has one started by a group of local doctors and health professional about 40 yrs ago. It has an in-house pharmacy. My husband also is an out patient at our local hospital - part of our State University medical School. They have a charity pharmacy program with income limits higher than Medicaid. The Meds must be life saving and prescribed by a hospital doctor. Medicare is not the insurance program I thought it to be. It's NOT free, - as Seniors used to tell me, and it's premiums are high, and coverage full of 'holes'. We had planned to re-locate to another State, but with my husband's declining health, I don't think we can afford even a short period without the coverageI just mentioned.
Regarding the VA Aid and Assistance Pension -- it might be difficult for you to actually find someone by phone at your VA office that knows anything about this. Unfortunate, but true. I've been through this process for my mother who is a WWII veteran and the best website to go to for information and help is www.veternaid.org This is a veteran benefit that not many people know about and it can make a huge difference in your or your loved one's life. Good luck.
I was able to talk to V.A. Officer at the two local offices I contacted. One was very prompt in answering e-mails and getting a copy of a lost DD214 to me in under a week. The other sent me all the paperwork that I needed in within 3 days and I am meeting with her tomorrow to file for the benefit. The V.A. will look over all the forms I filled out to make sure they were done properly. I would call or e-mail your local V.A. office I am sure they can help You will need form 526 to start. Good Luck
thank you that will help my step dad and mom who are retired and have very little income..
What kind of Help can I get when I'm on ssdi and am taking care of my 22yr old son who has mental problems and is in the process of getting ssi. I can't afford this without help and social services isn't trying to help. I live in west Virginia. And just received a 693.00 gas bill
I am in a similar situation. In my state we have IHSS (In home supportive services)-- It took a few months to get it going, but we were able to prove that my son could not do his cooking, cleaning, laundry, appointments, take his meds (he is PTSD in addition to physical problems) , so they pay me to do all that. You have to jump through some hoops, but it is worth it; though minimal wage, once you get this service (for your son, and you become his worker) they pay you every month without too much hassle..
Hope f and LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WITH ELECTRIC/GAS BILLS: Apply for Heat Energy Assistance through your local Department of Social Services, then a 2-3 months later, apply for Emergency Heat Energy Assistance, if necessary, to help catch up on your bills. Discuss this freely with the Social Service Agency Dept or the Electric/Gas Company. It also temporarily avoids a shut-off of your service!
My daughter's been there, had to do that, in NYS.
REmember that when he finally gets his ssi, it will be large amount because they will pay for every month since he /you applied. At worse, you can borrow (from people you know) based on that amount to come to you/him. Be sure to become his payee right away, or you may have some serious problems down the road. Apply for IHSS - that is also very helpful.
It seems like FOREVER, but these struggling times will ease. I once heard, "When you're at the bottom, the only way is up!" As Crazy as it seems, try to ignore/laugh at this unchangable situation and have fun. Find time to enjoy your family or friends, reading together, sitting and talking WITH each other, being silly. You can't change your bills. You CAN modify your lifestyle and enjoy and appreciate what you DO have.
One trick I taught my overwhelmed daughter was to have a $5 colored microfiber bin. When she received bills, she was to throw the bills into the bin until a day or two before she received any income. The bills were out of sight, out of mind, but always accessible and easy to locate. Nothing else went into this bin. ("Microfiber" because you couldn't see through it). When she received her check, she had less income than could pay all the bills. She would pay the most important. Then, stretching her dollars "just a bit further than she thought she could", we would spread the rest out like cards in my hand, and she would pick two or three and declare "You've won!", "You're the Grand Prize Winner!". We'd laugh hard, get back to work and prioritize according to interest charged, services rendered, type of business, etc. The ones that couldn't be paid went back into the microfiber bin,
We've found this is organized, fun and less stressful.
P.S. I've used the same system for 40 years and teach others this system, as well. A set of labeled files is a must for household organization, also.
