Financial Assistance

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides partial income replacement for workers who have a serious illness or injury expected last a year or longer or result in death.

The approval process is lengthy. You may need to make a reconsideration request or file for a hearing to appeal a declination decision. Several forms of possible state-based financial assistance can help families with children survive in the interim.

State-based financial assistance programs come into play frequently for parents needing emergency and elective surgical procedures.

Emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Preparation is your best defense. Patients schedule elective procedures, which allows the opportunity to optimize health insurance and tax strategy choices.

Collecting unemployment benefits after you quit work due to health reasons works as a source of financial assistance in only a handful of states. FMLA rules can actually hurt your cause if you cannot return to work.

Six states allow residents to collect because of their own medical condition. Sixteen other states exclude this definition, but allow benefits for the care of a seriously ill family member.

State-based financial assistance programs display the widest array of outcomes during pregnancy. Expectant women often need to stop working because of complications. Of course, she also needs time to recover from childbirth.

Things even out a bit when you consider programs to help with the extra medical expenses. While pregnant, women have an additional need for prenatal care, and delivery in the hospital.

New parents of multiple babies born too early often face unreimbursed medical expenses such as insurance deductibles and out of network charges from specialty doctors and other hospital contractors. You could also contend with unexpected non-medical expenses such as travel, parking, and lodging.

Now add in lost income for both mom and dad, who often must stop working or lose their jobs. Finding every conceivable form of financial assistance is now critical.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides needed job protection rights to qualified employees for up to twelve weeks. Unfortunately, this is unpaid leave.

Many families find it very difficult to cope with the increased expenses associated with a sick family member, combined with lost income. Private and state government programs may provide some financial assistance.

Many state-based programs may provide financial help for workers suffering a temporary disability. Only five states have a mandatory program replacing income for workers, so expect to find very large gaps.

You may find yourself unable to pay regular bills while not working. You must find ways to replace as much income as possible, while simultaneously reducing expenses.

Single parents often struggle with half the income, and double the expenses and responsibility. Making ends meet is an ongoing challenge under the circumstances.

Many state programs provide financial assistance for these families. However, the aid does not always come with clear labels and directions for use. Find some help here.

Certain state-based programs fill in gaps for workers without access to voluntary benefits, and for those who opted not to participate.

Find what limited resources are available in your state for financial assistance if you are having difficulty paying medical bills, or need income support while taking an unpaid leave from work.

Flexible spending accounts along with other voluntary employee benefit programs can provide needed financial assistance for families with autistic children and adults.

Every penny counts for these families as many expenses are not covered by insurance, and the extra spending often last a lifetime.