JulieJules needs HELP...

[JulieJules]

Hi... I am new to the board. I am a single mother of a 9 year old girl. Recently I injured my back and haven't been able to work. I was on short term disability til the end of August and long term disability says I don't qualify. They failed to tell me this until 2 days ago... My final procedure for my back to be repaired is next month so I haven't had any pay since August. I tucked my tail in and went to social services today and I will be getting an EBT card but what about all my other bills due? What kind of assistance can I get NOW before my car is repoed, electricity is off, which won't matter anyway if I don't have a home... I plan on going back to work next month after my procedure, I would go back now but my dr won't release me so my employer won't let me come back and my insurance won't pay me... It's not like I'm looking for a free ride, I have been employed there for 16 years, paid into the insurance for 16 years and they won't pay me from August thru December... Help me, what can I do?

[TNShannon]

Okay...I understand what you're dealing with. I've been in a somewhat similar situation before. Let's start with the basics:

Make a list of all the places you owe (utilities, house payment, etc.) and the amounts you owe. Get the phone numbers...you are going to need to talk to a real, live person, not a recording! Call each of them and explain the situation you're in. Make it clear you aren't asking for a handout, and explain that you will be going back to work soon.

Then ask for their help. There is NO shame in doing this. You've paid your bills just like you should, and you've worked hard, and now you need help, period. Many utility companies have a benevolence fund, and they might be able to help you lower the bill or pay it for you for a month. Don't hesitate to ask! If they can't help you in that way, ask if you can postpone a payment until next month. You might be a bit behind in payments if you do it this way, but at least you will still have service.

The company that holds your mortgage, car loan, and the like might be able to put your current payments at the end of the loan, meaning you will pay a bit more in interest in the long run, but you will be in the clear right now. But you have to explain everything to them and ASK for solutions. Don't hesitate to do it! Your daughter is depending on you to make this happen, and it's time to rely on the help of others to get it done.

Talk to your doctor and explain the situation. Could you be released under certain conditions, such as sitting in a chair all day, that kind of thing? How about working part-time? If it truly cannot work for medical reasons, contact your DHS office and ask about short-term help that might be available.

Turn to your church family. If you aren't a churchgoer, call the churches in your area and ask about their benevolence fund, and explain that you need help. For what it is worth, I'm not one who attends church regularly...but when my kids needed something, the local churches were right there to help, no questions asked, and no pressure. They WANT to help people in your situation, so let them do it. Give them a call.

You CAN and WILL get through this! Right now you might not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's there, believe me. Several of us on this forum have traveled this same road, and it all turned out okay.

Please let us know how things work out, and if you have any other questions, ask. I'm sure there are many here that will have good information, and I know there are many things I've missed in this initial post.

Good luck!