Dear mamas,
An old friend of mine has terminal cancer. The doctors have advised him that he has another two months, give or take. But this post is actually on behalf of his wife (whom I've only met once or twice). She has a stable job with health insurance, but it pays only a little over minimum wage. They have a 5-year-old. A lot of mutual friends are bringing her food and donating small funds, but none of it will be enough to sustain her economically over the long haul. So, since I live on the other side of the country now, I offered to pull together a list of public assistance she might be able to access -- food stamps, TANF, Section 8, etc. She has a wonderful friendhip network but is not religious, so I don't think a church-related program would be appropriate.
Can anyone advise me on what forms of assistance she might qualify for, and -- optimally -- send a link with an application form?
I should add that she's in Portland, OR.
Finally, I know the topic of public assistance is political and that some people feel strongly that it's wrong to apply for / rely on these programs. That's fine, you're completely entitled to those opinions, but please, please can this thread be limited to practical resources, not political views? Thanks!
I'm sorry, but there is no way you can provide those answers for her - no more than the programs you already named.
Someone (likely her) will need to call the Dept of Social Services in Oregon and ask.
Here's a link for SNAP (food stamps)
http://dss.sd.gov/foodstamps/eligibility/
Here's a link for Section 8 in Portland:
http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/COM_INeedHelp.shtml
Does he get SSI for his disability right now? I think that continues to his wife. Is there a pension involved (lump sum or monthly)?
His son should get a SS survivor benefit every month after he passes (I'm sorry).
Did he have life insurance--enough to invest?
Sorry, no more specific information for you....
All the best.
She and her son should be eligible for Social Security if/when her husband passes away.
I'm so sorry for your friend and his family. What terrible news.
Probably her best bet is to make an appointment with a county social worker. They may be able to supplement his lost income as well as reduce their health care costs for the next couple of months.
She could also ask her child's school social worker. I know that when my BIL was laid-off, they were in a panic because my niece has Type 1 diabetes. After talking with one of the school social workers where I worked, she suggested that my SIL come in and meet with her and see what they could do. After an hour, they had my two nieces lined-up with NYS insurance as well as short-term food stamps.
I hope people respond to you in a helpful manner. Your friend is looking to access the system appropriately, which is why it's there! Good luck.
I am not sure how any of them work when taking into account assets. Like if there is life insurance, 401k though his job, equity in the home, things like that. Just because her income cannot support the household she has doesn't mean it cannot support any household, you know?
I think she may get survivor benefits from social security but not completely sure there.
It is a shame she has to go though this and good that you are looking into options for her.
At the very least she should start a social security disability application for the husband.. he'll probably pass (so sad) before it's approved but they will give him back pay from the date of his "disability" and cancer IS a disability, especially terminal cancer. Then when it goes through she'll get his back pay then it'll be easy to switch the benefit to surviving spousal benefits.. and the kid will get a monthly check as well. It'll be way easier for her to start the process now, while he's living and she'll get a good little chunk of back-pay. Probably not something she's thinking about but if she hasn't done this, she needs to now.
Does her husband have life insurance? Do they have equity in their home? These may prevent her from needing or qualifying for assistance. Also, she and her child should be able to get survivor benefits from social security - does she know what that will be each month?
I'm sorry for your friend's illness. The benefit and eligibility standards, although overseen by federal law, are specific to each state and even county. Your friends need to contact a local attorney who specializes in these matters. It's generally a good idea to contact an estate attorney also who can get all of their legal affairs in order and discuss any tax issues. If money is tight perhaps a legal aid attorney could help them. They need to do this ASAP.
I am an attorney. Although I have never practiced law in this area I am currently doing a research project on AFDC, which preceeded TANF. Although I am not familiar with eligibility standards in Portland, OR, I suspect that even her minimum wage job might make her family ineligible for TANF. That doesn't mean there aren't other programs that could help with housing and food. A local expert needs to help her with this.
If they are going to ultimately use hospice care perhaps the hospice organization can refer them to a social worker or an attorney. Best wishes to you and your friends.
I'm so sorry for your friend's situation. Breaks my heart.
I was just going to point out that a lot of churches have benevolent funds that provide assistance to families that aren't necessarily religious or members of that particular church. I know my church reaches out to local families all over our area, not just practicing Christians. I would suggest that she give some of them a try.
I have to say something. I think ALL political sides believe that at least SOME assistance is okay. I think it is how far the assistance goes, who should get it and how much assistance is what is debatable. The Republican Party is NOT anti-welfare. So, talking about this as being "political" it isn't. And I know people from BOTH sides that actually receive benefits as well.
Anyways, it all depends on what she is eligible for. It may seem not enough to you, but it may ALSO be not enough to get assistance either. There are maximum requirements. In OR, for a family of 3, you have to make 16,608 a year or less. I don't know what it is for just two people. It will be a smaller amount. That's approx $7.00 an hour. Again, this is for THREE people, I could not find info for just two.
http://www.nccp.org/profiles/OR_profile_29.html
Also try
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/foodstamp...
My opinion is that she needs to downsize as much as possible, and try to get a raise or a part-time second job because I'm guessing by your description that she makes too much. There's also sharing housing with a friend OR another single mom:
I wish the best for your friend's wife, and may your friend pass peacefully. My sympathies.
M.:
Have her contact the Oregon Department of Human Services.
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/index.shtml
this isn't a political question. So it doesn't need a political opinion. You have a family friend in need. let's get them the help they need.
Once she is in contact with the Dept - she should check into grants for school so that she can get an education that will help her get a better job, with better pay.
Even though she's not religious she should be able to go to a church for help. They are more likely to help one of their parishioners, but it NEVER hurts to ask.
It would be great if they had life insurance on him. That won't be a lot but it might have been nice to help out.
I would say google the state department that deals with social services.
I googled "How to apply for food stamps in Oregon".
This is that link:
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/foodstamp...
This link tells where the nearest office is by County:
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/localoffices.shtml
She might also talk to an attorney that deals with estate planning. She may have some unforseen bills or debt she knows nothing about. They would also have some information for her as to filing on hubby's SS at some point in the future. It can take months to get the financial stuff finished after a death.
I am so sorry she is having to go through this.
Wow, I'm so sorry for her, how awful :(
I hope he has life insurance? That will be a huge factor in determining her financial situation. Also, any equity in the house? I think these are things you should probably discuss with her before applying for anything because I'm sure it affects her eligibility.
Good luck, I hope she gets what she needs.
Well, I'm so very sorry for your friend's situation. I'm sorry for their family at this tragic time.
The wife and the child should be eligible for social security survivor benefits. For the wife, it would depend on the length of the marriage, etc, but the child should be eligible for benefits until she reaches 18 or graduates high school. In other words, if she graduates after turning 18, the benefits will end upon graduation from high school and not upon turning 18.
The wife shoudl prepare for filing for these benefits. She should contact the social security administration to determine her benefits. There may be ancillary programs that can help her, but she should start with SS first.
I have a friend whose EX husband died years after their divorce and the kids received survivor benefits.
It's something for her to look into.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
At the very least...she will get a Social Security Benefits check until her child turns 16....and the child will receive one until he or she is 18.
I would find out exactly what they have in regards to life insurance, whatever she will receive as a death benefit from his job or previous military service or retirement plan, etc. That can entail asking some very personal questions, but if you can find out, you can call the social services office in Portland and basically act like you need this information -ask them all the questions and find out the answers. I'm sorry for your friend and his family.
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/foodstamp...
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/snap-info...
She can start with the SNAP progam (food stamps) which are the links above. I glanced at the form which I help my disabled mother fill out. The Oregon form is similar to the Texas form. With the Texas form my mother can apply for food, medical and financial assistance all in one. There are various questions which ask if you need help with child care, finances, food, medical, etc. You check the appropriate boxes for the assistance you need. When they interview my mother, they narrow down her needs and what she is applying for. Locally we have reduced income health clinics. Your friend could look for one of those locally if for whatever reason she needed help with her health insurance needs. I wish I had more advice but I don't. Good luck and best wishes to your friends.
For right now while the husband is still alive, perhaps the American Cancer Society has some resources to help them. Maybe you could contact them and do some of the legwork on their behalf. Good luck!
