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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> unable to work, what resources are available?
        
(Message started by: littlefoot on Sep 7^th, 2007, 11:36am)

Title: unable to work, what resources are available?
Post by littlefoot on Sep 7^th, 2007, 11:36am

Things have gotten pretty bad with my financial situation since my ch have come back. I don't know that I am eligible for disability, though I do see some folks here are on it. I don't think I would qualify due to the level of education I have (M.S. in Rehab Counseling). I also have another barrier to employment in that I have a felony record. I am not working in my feild and have had to take entry level jobs that do not offer sick leave or health insurance. Of course these employers do not understand ch and if you don't show up for work, regardless of whether you've been in the ER they let you go. I remember this part of the ch nightmare which was a big part of why I got my masters. Now I am back at square one. I haven't been able to pay rent, don't have food, and am begging anyone and everyone for help getting imitrex. I have exhausted the plan that GlaxoSmithKline make available to people with no insurance. I was given a $10.00 coupon and got 6 injections. I was told I will get another 8 or so in two months and that is all they will give me for the year as it is the FDA guidelines.

This situation is getting depressing. I have stood in lines at various chruches (up to 3 hours) only to find out they will give me a check for 75.00 only if I can come up with the rest of the rent and do not owe anything on previous months rent.

The property management people taking care of collecting rent are leaving threatning messages on my answering machine, saying I have to do something. I am at a real loss here. Every waking minuete of my day is spent trying to figure out how I am going to deal with my next ch.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: unable to work, what resources are available?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 7^th, 2007, 12:37pm

Suggest you explore the Social Security home site re. disability rights. Don't assume. www.firstgov.gov

This site covers ADA issues. May have something of value.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Title: Re: unable to work, what resources are available?
Post by Ray on Sep 7^th, 2007, 12:55pm

Social Security will take some time (on the order of months). You should contact your county to see if you qualify for food stamps, medicaide, and other benefits. Welfare and title 8 housing may be available. There may be a crisis line in your city that could detail what services are available.

Good luck and God bless you.

Ray

Title: Re: unable to work, what resources are available?
Post by littlefoot on Sep 7^th, 2007, 1:43pm

Thank you. I won't assume anything at this point. I worked for 15 years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for 4 different states. I saw people who were para and quadrapelgic get denied as well as people with other severe disabilities, up to three times in a row, before they got on the program. Maybe things have changed...

I will follow up on what the county may have as well. I am tiring to avoid making mistakes in my pursuit of help. I recently was able to get on a program that helps people with medical needs. They have thier own phramacy too. However, I was told that they do not carry imitrex. I then found out about another program that offers similiar services and does carry imitrex in thier phramacy, however I am not eligible for that program because I am now a member of the first program I applied for. How stupid, eh?

If you know of anything like the above situation that I should be aware of, I would appreciate knowing and THANK YOU so much for responding to this post!

littlefoot