New with odd case

[wvulovey]

Hi! I haven't declared bankrupycy yet but al planning to but waiting until I move in Dec,

My debt is as followed: 60%school loans (not forgivable)
40% medical bills.

The situation is that I recently have starting having mini strokes where I need to be hospitalzied. I'm in the process of filing ssdi for my mental problemws. I'm diagbose with bi-polar, depressio, ADD and generalized anxiety

What will I do if I get SSDI and am only allowed to work half time? The check from SSDI will be at like 300.00 monthlxy.

I;m in the process of getting medicaide also. Just talking a long time!

I also had 2 credit cards, never payed then off. Its been 2-5years though. And I have a few outstanding bills (ie=old cable , little things that)

So my question is , how do I get these medical bills and school laken care of? I'm so confused. My doc says dont work but its like I can't live off 300 a month and live plus pay nacl 50 k in loand and gosh who knows in loans...

I get evaluated by a ssdi psyck in Dec. Worst case is he say no work, Forever)I can't live off 300 dolllars let alone pay bill

I'm filing in Dec, Please help

[JRScott]

You might ask for the school loans to be put into deferment for the time being. This would at least stop them from harassing you, however most only allow so much deferment in the lifetime of the loan. You'd need to check each to see the process for that loan to get it into deferment but I assume being on SSDI and having a hearing is probable cause for deferment as is unemployment.

As for the medical bills you might check to see if any charities in the area might could assist you with the bills. Some offer help that might get your bill reduced or even paid off. You might go to the hospital or care giver itself and ask if they have any partners who help the disadvantaged to pay the bill.

For food I would recommend checking angelfoodministries.com and see if there is a distribution site near you. You can get some good food for 1 person for a month for about 30 dollars. I mean it isn't luxurious but it'll get you by. They also have supplemental things that can add to it (like the veggie/fruit box). That might help you get through these hard times and I believe they take food stamps though you need to ask about that if you have them.

Now at the SSDI psyck in DEC it is possible depending on their findings that you might get a larger check depending on the level of disability. I would hold off filing bk until after your psyck. This is mostly in case you need more medical care before medicaid kicks in.

It can be a long process. However you should be able to leave the student loans in deferment for most of the time. Hopefully the hospital/doctor can recommend some charities to help you out with the medical bills. If you attend a church you might go to your pastor/bishop/rector etc and explain your situation they might be able to offer assistance for utility bills/rent while you are in the process. They might even help with food and transportation needs according to your needs.

[b_girl]

What generally happens when a person gets Disability combined with SSI (Medicaid) is that he/she will recieve a combination of both which totals that year's current payment amount. The last figure I can remember is $586, but I know it has increased since then (due to yearly Cost Of Living increases)...so for example, if your Disability is 400, your SSI would be 186. So take heart..and check with your local SS office for the current amount.

As for when you will be approved...you do realize that it can be a year or two before you are approved and you start receiving checks? I have known many people who filed and were initially denied, despite their disabilities. However, if you are denied and are eventually approved on appeal, you will received back payments up to the initial denial, which can total thousands depending upon the time lapsed.

As for your medical bills, apply at your local Dept of Human Services office for a medicaid spend down. If you have little to no income but high medical bills, you may qualify to receive Medicaid for 3 months at a time to pay those back bills. Note...it is NOT current Medicaid...this type pays back bills which are already incurred, and only for 3 months at a time. I do need to add that I'm not sure if this program still exists, if the criteria has changed, or even whether it's available in your area, but I do know it was still available here last year and that it has helped many individuals cope with those high medical bills until they successfully received their SS/SSI paychecks. Good luck!

[danaf]

Try to wait until you are actually receiving these benefits to file. Because, sounds like you will be incurring more debt and if you file now, you will be responsible for new debt after filing. Also - you sound like you would be a good candidate for a hardship discharge of your student loans. It's a process but I'd look into it if I were you.

[AngelinaCatHub]

If the OP can aid another person such as light duty caretaking, maybe she could become a live in companion for a person that needs care permanently. In other words many people would love to have a live in for their parents that are needy. Nursing homes are expensive and waiting rooms for death. It would be better to have a live in nurse for the aged parent if this OP can handle that kind of situation.

Also I thought in rare situations, the student loans can be discharged under certain circumstances? ‘Hub

[b_girl]

As for student loans being discharged due to hardship, I read some very disheartening real life stories of individuals with serious health problems/life circumstances who were not able to discharge this debt successfully. The Student Loan authorities seem to love to garnish SS/SSI wages, too, so expect that this will happen rather than a discharge of your debt--but have your BK attorney make the attempt..you may be one of the few that actually wins.

[wvulovey]

Thanks everyone. I have heard about hardships and them letting the loans go but I know this is very rare.

The thing is, when I started college I was healthy as could be. It wasn;t until my 3rd and 4th year things took a turn for the worse.