Hi, I am back. Someo of you may remember me. I am hre on behalf of my best frien. Her husbadn was recently diagnised with Oral cancer and she just can't come to terms with anything yet. I told her to can the American Cancer Society to see about getting financial assistance. they have no medical insurance. She says that she can't. She just can't talk about it yet. Her husband had his first surgery Tuesday. At a cancer place in Columbus Ohio.I forget the name.

Can she still get financial help, even though they have already started treatment?

Is there anyone else she can call or contact to get help?

How can she get financial assistance if she refuses to talk about it still?

How much can I do to help her get the ball rolling in that area?

BTW-- It is stage 1, but I do not know any other facts yet.

Kimberly, Check your county social services department. I think you will be able to find the information you need from them. It sounds to me like your friend may need some counciling as well. The county may be able to appoint someone to help. They might qualify for other benifits like Social Security etc. But there are sometimes limits on when you can apply. She needs to face this now and she is fortunate to have you there .

Hi Kimberly
Not the same here in the UK.. but I can understand your friend not being able to talk about or deal with this.. so just do what you are doing and be there for her.. I needed my friend more than I could ever tell her..
sunshine... love and hugs
Helen

To echo what Mark said, there should be social services available. Most hospitals have a social worker on staff that should be able to point your friend in the right direction. Additionally, the eligibility clock for SSDI started the day he was unable to work. Again, the hospital should be able to help. They want to get paid by someone so I'm sure they will help her find some sources.

Glenn

Thanks all.
What is SSDI? (Social Services Disabiliy or something?)

And how do you tell someone they may need some conselling?

I'll pray over the situation.

Thanks again, everyone, for being so kind and helpful. I feel like an outsider sort of since I don't have cancer nor does anyone in my family. I apriciate all your time and information.

Actually the SSDI people told me the clock starts running from the date of diagnosis.

Kimberly,

Follow your heart and you'll do fine.

You wouldn't "tell" them, instead ask few questions like "Mary, we have been friends a long time, I have noticed you seem overwhelmed by all this.." If you can get her to recognise the problem then you can suggest: "Lets find someone that can help you" There are a thousand variations on the choices of words you use. It would be great if you could find some information before so you had it all ready for her to call.

Yes SSDI is social security disability.

Hi Kimberly,

There is a five month waiting period before SSDI is paid out. They go retroactive back to the orginal DX in some cases. In mine the payments started after the 5 months were up. I don't know why some start right away and some have to wait five months.

Call your local SS office and schedule a appointment. There are several forms that need to be filled out. They should mail you yhe forms before your appointment so you can fill them out ahead of time.

Dan

I should make myself clear on the SSDI thing. There is a 5 month statutory waiting period, after you stop working, until you will receive a payment. That payment will be for the 6th month. SSDI is based on your employment/earning history and assets and most pensions have no impact on this payment. Additionally, his wife and children under 18 may also get payments under this program.

SSI has no waiting period and it is based on financial needs. There are stringent controls on income and personal assets attached to SSI but there is no waiting period. Keep in mind my personal experience has been with SSDI, not SSI.

Finally, this is assuming your friends husband has a work history and is not already retired and receiving social security retirement which is another thing altogether.

To chime in on the SSDI issue...
We had no luck with collecting any SSDI, even though we provided all the medical records, doctor's statements to the effect that my husband's Stage 4 cancer and treatment made him very sick and he was not able to work. Social Security pretty much told us to reapply if his cancer became terminal. But sounds like others have had better results - so maybe it depends on who is reviewing your case.

Anita