I am in trouble.

[pamkev]

Many hugs to you

[LadyInTheRed]

Angel, Medicaid is income-based. Don't know if the qualifying rules have changed, but I qualify according to the various Obamacare sites I've checked. I have no dependents. It may depend on your state.

It does depend on what state you are in. It is up to each state to decide whether to participate in the medicade expansion under Obamacare. But, even if somebody lives in a state that doesn't expand medicaide, a low income person should still apply to find out if they qualify under their state's eligibility standards. State specific information about the expansion can be found at the bottom of the following site: https://www.healthcare.gov/get-cover...e-marketplace/ The same site is where you can go to learn whether you qualify for a subsidy for insurance and shop for insurance on the exchange. If your state runs its own exchange, the site will link you to that exchange.

[PANSYFACE]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You can do this!!

[Pjmax]

Angel, Medicaid is income-based. Don't know if the qualifying rules have changed, but I qualify according to the various Obamacare sites I've checked. I have no dependents. It may depend on your state.

I'm thinking of you, take care. I can't imagine what you are going through.

[Pandora]

So sorry to hear this...my thoughts and prayers are with you.

As to the medical bills - make sure you find out if you qualify for discounted medical and/or assistance before you pay anything further. Most hospitals and doctors have a sliding scale that is based on income / debts. You may have to fill out financial paperwork to qualify, but its worth checking into.

[angel7821]

Oh I never thought for one minute that you wanted me to go away. It is just the people over on the other website may be able to help me more than the bk people here. But I will still post here also and ask questions.

[ValleYum]

Angel, PLEASE, PLEASE don't think I was implying you must post over at the other forum and not here.

PLEASE do keep us posted and ask us questions if you feel the need, we all care!!

[angel7821]

Thank you for the info ValleYum. I appreciate it so much. The surgeon called this afternoon and I have an appointment with him tomorrow at 2:30. So am probably looking at a mystectomy (not sure how to spell that) next. After that onto the Oncologist for the chemo.

I will sign up at the SSDI website you gave me and post over there. Thanks everyone for the information and moral support you gave me here. I will still stop in here and leave updates.

[ValleYum]

Dear Angel:

Just like you "landed" here at BKForum when you needed help with your bankruptcy - there is kind of an SSDI-SSI 'version' of BKForum complete with it's very own heroes like Des, JustBroke, LadyInTheRed and all the other wonderful, helpful BK Forum members here. That site is here: http://ssdfacts.com/forum/index.php Go to the section of the forum where you can "introduce yourself" on there. Then read and ASK questions!!! I chose to use a different screen-name there and post very rarely but I do read every day there.

Have you received all the information seeking forms from SSA after you filed? Like about your past work experience, what you can do on a daily basis, etc.? If you have not (or if you just haven't completed them yet) HOW YOU WORD THEM can make all the difference in your being approved for benefits on the first try. The SSAFacts forum has LOTS of info and can give good suggestions on how to fill out this paperwork. For example, you can't just say you have cancer, you have to say why having cancer means you can't perform any of your past job skills (plus other things dependent on your age at time of filing, diagnosis, other disabilities, etc.).

There ARE compassionate allowances and expedited benefits available for various conditions from the SSA. Our friends at NOLO Press have some good info - some specifically about breast cancer - here: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/res...ble-if-cancer-

Filing for SSDI or SSI is a lot like filing for BK - they are both paperwork intensive and government driven with directions that confound mere mortals.

If you filed without representation and do not receive approval on your initial application, I would hire an ATTORNEY *NOT* an advocate to help you with your case. FYI: Binder & Binder are advocates not attorneys. The most either can charge is 25% (up to a limit of $6,000) of your backpay - (FYI backpay is money owed to you due to the time it takes the SSA to process disability claims). If you have expedited approval, your backpay *should be* negligible (as should your representation fee be if you chose to have counsel). Check out attorneys as carefully as you can! Most will offer free consults just like in BK!!

Medicaid programs can be available to those who are approved for disability but they are needs/income/resource based (requirements could be rules like you can only have 1 car, $XXX in cash in the bank, etc., etc.).

Once you are approved for SSA disability, you will absolutely receive Medicare benefits ~29 months from the date you filed. So, if Medicaid is not available to you for now, call the ACA (Obamacare) office for your state, they may be able to help you find something to cover you for the next 2-ish years until Medicare kicks in after your approval.

Angel, I am by no means a disability expert, but if I can answer any more basic questions for you, do internet research for you, tell you about my experiences with the SSA or attempt to help you in any other way, please don't hesitate to PM me or ask me in here in the thread.

{{{Hugs}}} You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[angel7821]

Ok I will. Thank you keepsmiling.

[keepsmiling]

That sounds like a Family Care site. And with the new laws you are almost surely eligible for something. Ask someone to help you with this.

[angel7821]

Thank you everyone for your replies. As for Medicaid I looked into that and I am not eligible. I copied this from my states website: To be eligible, the family must consist of a parent or other adult caretaker relative and a dependent child. A caretaker relative may be parent, grandparent, brother, sister, stepparent, etc. A dependent child is a child under age 18 who is living with a parent or a caretaker relative. If a child is 18 years old and still a fulltime student in high school, the child is considered a dependent child if he or she is expected to complete high school before reaching age 19.

If I had a dependent child I would be ok but since I don't I am out of luck. The only thing DSS says they can help me out with is food stamps. So I did apply for that since I have no income coming in.

I do have a good support system. I have 5 brothers and one sister who are behind me all the way. One of my brothers and his wife will be taking turns accompanying me to chemo since I don't want to go thru that alone. I have a very good friend who has been with me every step of the way so far. Every appt I have had she has been there with me. Good friends like that are hard to find.

I am sure I will be posting here a lot. Just helps to talk about it even with strangers. I do believe all of you care and I appreciate that very much. Nice to know I have lots of people supporting my fight right now.

[lillymarlene]

Sorry to read about this. I really don't know what to say, but bad as this is I'm sure you'll get through this.

[dmc-2008]

I would be in shock too! I am sorry to read this. I am sure you will find a way to get thru this! You got thru a 13 so you are as tough as nails! But what a challenge. You can do this, keep or find other support groups. Keep us posted. Hugs

[keepsmiling]

((((hugs))))
you WILL get thru this.
So many wise and caring souls here. Hang in there angel. We are all here for you.