Denied by ALJ & homeless now

[saywhat]

I am so absolutely sick. I am a 30yo single mom with a 3 yo daughter and was denied everything by the ALJ even with an attorney, numerous medical documents supporting my diagnosis, and a functional capacity from my MS specialist Neuro saying I can't work.

Yet the ALJ twisted all of my medical records to deny me. I am just absolutely SICK. My attorney has not received the denial yet but said he would call me after he gets it. Welfare is cancelled now unless I participate in 40 hours/week of job training - which I cannot physically do!!! All of this stress has triggered a relapse of course. I am just sick. We will be evicted next week unless I can pay rent. I am just so sick. My daughter and I will be homeless!!! We have no stable family around and no friends who can take us in. I am so sick.

My attorney said we could appeal to the appeals committee but in the meantime the damage will be done and we will already be homeless. I am so sick. Is there any other recourse we can take immediately? I have lost all hope. I am just absolutely sick.

[Mamabug]

I wish I had a solution for you; I feel pretty helpless to assist when I read about your dilemma. Hopefully, Rich will be along soon to give advice regarding the appeal.

In the meantime, the only advice that I have is to seek advice from social service agencies in your community and find out what kind of local, state or federal aid you might be eligible for.

Best wishes. Wish I had more helpful advice; I just mostly want you to know that your post was read, that I'm thinking of you, and that I sent up prayers for you.

~ Faith

[Seasha]

Hi saywhat - I wish I also had a magic bullet to help you!! What Mamabug has suggested is good advice. In addition you might want to get in touch with your local MS center and inquire what resources might be available for you and your daughter. Go to http://www.nationalmssociety.org/fin...ter/index.aspx and enter the zip code or state where you live.

Another suggestion is to notify your local TV station and tell them your story. I've watched many people interviewed for human interest stories on TV and they have been successful in receiving the help they needed.... Just a thought here.

Can your family and/or help you out financially while you get things straightened out?

I wish you the best and keep in touch with us. Don't despair

[Myoak]

Hi Saywhat,

We are pulling for you, hang in there! I am sorry that worries about the future are stealing peace and confidence from you. Not knowing where critical necessities will come from is more burden than anyone should carry and we all sympathize with you.

Don’t you dare give up or stop trying. There are things you can do and need to do for the sake of your child; and yourself, too.

Are you still on Tysabri? If you anticipate a change in how that med is provided please call Biogen and counsel with someone there to see if they have a program you can enroll in. I’m sure they will help you. Be proactive. You are JCV negative so your potential to continue on Tysabri is excellent with very little PML risk. If Biogen will provide Tysabri perhaps your current infusion center will agree to help you.

Form a plan. Be sure to write out what you want to say before you call Biogen. Tell Biogen your whole story. Make the case for you and your child.
May I ask what part of the country you live in? If Biogen agrees to supply Tysabri and your present infusion center will not continue treating you, we will work to find one that will. Biogen might suggest an infusion center, also so please ask them.

Listen, you will make it. It is likely that Tysabri will help a great deal in your battle with MS. You haven’t been on it very long and it takes time to achieve full effect. There are many, many MSers on Tysabri who have returned to work because they have gotten better.

“Welfare is cancelled now unless I participate in 40 hours/week of job training - which I cannot physically do!!! All of this stress has triggered a relapse of course.”
I have no knowledge of your present condition but I urge you to try the job training. Make an attempt if you are not in the hospital.

People will help you. I realize it may be a last resort but many larger churches have programs to help those in need. But you have to make the contact with one or more in your area. There is no shame in survival! Do everything you can to care for your child. You are a good mother.
The attorney might have suggestions, also.

Lastly, you must find ways to manage stress in order to be physically healthy. For example, pray, go to church, talk to friends, walk and contemplate a future, breathe in peace & exhale frustration, allow a sense of well-being to engulf your heart and mind, thank God for your child, ask God for help, remind Him that you have a child and need help caring for your son or daughter, ask and wait, talk to God, talk to people. You will find help; you will find love in people who really do care for you. Be anxious for nothing; rather allow peace to rule your mind and that peace which settles your spirit will help your body become stronger.

I believe in you. You will persist. You will overcome. You will be successful. I have faith in God, faith in people to assist you, but most of all, faith in you.

[MSW1963]

Have you contacted any religious organizations for assistance? Associated Catholic Charities/ACC or similar organizations? ACC is administered by catholic nuns, their assistance programs are primarily for women, children and families in crisis.

If you are affiliated with a religious organization, that would be a good place to start.

[MSer102]

I'm so sorry your in such a sad situation. I wish there was something more hopeful to say but it looks like the handwriting is on the wall. If you have to go to job training to keep your welfare payments then it sounds like that's what you'll have to do. You don't have to be a star pupil you just have to show up and make an effort.

I think it's going to be hard but not as hard as being homeless with a 3 year old. It will buy you time while your SSDI case is appealed and you can make other living arrangements. If you have the opportunity to keep your welfare payments in the meantime it would be a good idea to do whatever it takes even if you don't think you can. You have many good suggestions here about where to look for more help so please don't give up.

[saywhat]

thanks for all of the advice and encouragement. I actually have a job working from home, which is why I don't have the energy to do the welfare required workshop crap. I just can't work enough to support us. We are on rental assistance, utility assistance, and food stamps. I am struggling to work 5-6 hours a week right now while keeping my child fed, clean, and clothed and the state won't pay for childcare unless I'm working a minimum of 15 hrs/week. All of this stress is triggering all of my symptoms up horribly as well as a relapse so I see the doc on Monday. I can't do steroids though - nobody to watch my little girl and I've got to work my butt off to pay for everything. My car and car insurance is what's killing me (175 car and 90 car insurance every month)

I called the local MS chapter and they can help if I get an eviction notice or am late on utilities, so good to know that is an option.

I have considered calling the media with my story. This is so sad, people should not be in this situation.

I'm just trying to scramble to work and sell things to get eough money to get us through July. I just don't know how long I can keep pushing myself like this.

I will look for some catholic places. I'm in UT so it's all mormons around here and I have called them but I don't think they will be too willing to help financially. Maybe with food and stuff, but right now I need money for bills.

I really needed the encouragement to keep moving. Thanks, all. I will keep plugging along and am going to probably contact the media and hope that people will donate.

I'm still on Tysabri and it's covered by medicaid thank goodness. But if I work too much medicaid is going to be cancelled. SUch a disgusting nightmare.

[acaverly]

I am so sorry you are going through this. It is good that you have some income. I know it is tough but we sometimes have to do what ever it takes to care for our children. I dont know the rules in Utah because I am in Michigan. I can work and still get medicaid. I only work 25 hours and don't make very much an hour. My hours were recently cut because of Obamacare and I worry about medicaid cutting me too. I hope you can figure something out and get the help you need.