How can I find assistance for a family in need?

Question

OK, here's the scoop: My friend is physically disabled due to a work-related injury when she worked as a CNA, and her health is not very good at all. She is borderline diabetic and she was on the verge of having a stroke and a heart attack the day before Easter. Essentially she is very stressed about her and her family at the poverty level and about not providing an Easter for her family. Her husband left her for a younger woman, and he admitted in being with her because of her money. He is living better without any regards to his wife and young children's plight. They are still married, however. My friend cannot afford to pay all her bills and she and her family tend to go hungry a lot. I try to help financially but I am really to the breaking point because of other obligations I must attend to. They reside in rural North Central Florida, and I don't know what else to include so I can get more responses to my question. I am also looking for ways to self-help. Please help TY

Answer 1

Hello Maria
I am so glad she has a friend like you.

It does sound as though your friend would be eligible for Food Stamps, family assistance and Medicaid through the state of Florida. Look in your yellow pages for Fl State of Department of Children and Families. Also look up the number for FL department of Child Support recovery. This shouild help provide ongoing financial stability.

For immediate emergency food help go to www.secondharvest.org just below the top picture put in her zip code and click the search. Immediate emergency help with bills may be available through Salvation Army, the nearest large Baptist church and the nearest large Catholic church. Her children's school counselor or principal may be able to direct her to other sources of help. Some school districts even have an emergency help fund for this.; I know it is hard to ask but she has paid taxes all her life to help others now it's her turn. United Way is not a source of direct help for individals and families in most cases but can tell you who in the community can help.

If the work injury was less than 2 yrs ago she may well be eligible for workmans comp. Your yellow pages will shopw you a number of lawyers who handle workman's comp cases with no payment up front, no charge unless they win for her.

She may also be eligible for Social Security disablity or SSI (Suplemental Security Income) if she is unable to work. This is a long process and most ppl are turned down 2-3 times as a matter of policy but if she is truely disabled and keeps appealing the turn downs she may well get benefits for life. Social Security will pay for the medical exams to establish disability. For this too there are many lawyers who help with appeals and make no charge until they win. Her nearest state or county mental health dept. can help with stress related issues and having consulted them for this will help in getting her disability established.

Every hospital emergency room MUST BY LAW treat ppl in emergency situations even if they have no money and hospital social services ppl are expert at getting ppl hooked up with medical and other benefits. WallMart and Target both have programs where generic meds are available for $4 for a month's supply. Her local health dept or one in a nearby larger county may have medical clinics free or on a low cost basis.

The FL Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation may be able to help her get training for a job she can do with her present disabilitioes and abilities. Their services are free.

If you want to tell me the city I can dig a bit more in our data available and see if I can find more specific contacts.

Please tell her for me that long after any specific Easter basket or outfit is forgotten her children will; remember that mom sat down and colored pictures with them, read the Easter story to them, helped them pray, sang with them, took time to play, hugged them a lot and really listened when they need to talk to her. My favorite all time Christmas Decorations were a nativity scene my dad cut out of brown paper bags and set up in the window *** a sillouette. It was special because he made it for me.

Answer 2

There are several government programs. The first place to check for a list of people and programs in her area would be the United Way. United Way usually has money towards the first of the month available to help with rent or utilities and can direct you to other groups that might be of assistance. In Texas there is a group called United christian ministries where several churches pool resources and help family's in need.
The electric company sometime will discount or have assistance of some kind.
I had a tenant once who had a church support her entire family, rent, food, and all for about 5 years.
Tell her to get the book "Ask and It is Given" by ester hicks and rent see the movie "the secret" These last two ideas will aid her to be self empowered and change her circumstances permanently for the better.
I also knew a woman who was disabled who made a great living selling items on eBay for folks who were computer challenged and had no clue how to do it. They would bring the items to her home and she would get 10% of the sales.

Answer 3

Suggestions to seek out the local social workers through the Dept. of Social Services or Dept. of Children and Families are a wise start. Also follow up on church benevolence programs and other United Way funded charities as well as Social Security Disability. One good thing about following through with public assistance -- they will pursue child support for her as long as she has an idea where to find the father. Good luck to your friend; seeking this assistance can be tiring and sometimes demoralizing but worth it if it helps her and her kids.

Answer 4

I have a couple of thoughts as I have been challenged to help in this way also.

1. Call your local crises line and explain everything including your wish to help. They have a data bank of every possible resource in your area. Make notes on those resorces to help your friend and others.

2. If you belong to a church ask if you can create a fundraiser in honor of helping your friend. It could be a rummage sale, craft sale, or selling time....such as babysitting or help with yard or housework.

3 If you are a bit metaphsical, like me, put together a phychic fair with your friends that do readings and such. Actually most readers will give you an afternoon of their time if you ask and let them give out cards and such. I have done this for the local food-bank before.

4. Ask your local Rottery club for suggestions. They help with this sort of thing all the time, as do the Masons.

You ROCK! for wanting to help!

Answer 5

Well : you can " Volunteer with an local Orginization where
they'd Sponsor Special People yes& according towards
those needs would help your Friend also called (Access
Transportations Service done by City Bus any way talk
with with them and ask Family Doctor about Curb- Curb
Program !"

Answer 6

Maria. She needs to go to the DSS office (Department of Social Services). There are also some other places she can get help for her needs. However. I am intrigued by the fact that she has not gotten help by now.

She may also qualify for SSI benefits (visit the nearest Social Security Office) as well as for a low income or subsided home. She may also qualify for free medications. Some additional information is needed to determine if she qualifies for that or more assistance. However, the first step is visiting the DSS (also known as Welfare) office.

No need to feel embarrased to go there, ok. That is for people who need the help, even though I know many who gets it and don't really need it, but that's only because of glitches in the system.

If you need directions, please write contact me. Just click the picture and you will be taken to my profile and there is a link to email me.

Answer 7

Tell her to apply to Social Services (welfare). She will get help. Also to local churches or charitable organizations. Tell her to phone the local government office and ask them what assistance they can offer someone in her position - especially for re-training for a possible job.

You're a good friend to her. Don't overstress yourself though.

Answer 8

All States offer assistance to people who are disabled, She need to go to the Social Security office and they will be able to help with assistance with medical and health also look into programs that provide assistance to people with disability's who can't or barley take care of them selves.

some programs offer assistance were someone can go to there home and help around the house. we have a program here in California it's called "In Home Support Services" in the city of Los Angeles, maybe they is one in the State of Florida.

we also have a program called Meals on Wheels were they provide food to peoples with disability's

http://www.mealcall.org/meals-on-wheels/fl/index.htm

Or

http://fl.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=FLDR_homepage

Or

feeding the hunger, link below:
http://www.thevolunteerway.org/

all these sites are in Florida.

some offer a Food Stamp program in Florida.

call them and ask if they can assist you in who to call, maybe they can direct you to the correct organization to contact.

Good Luck, I hope this helps...:)

Answer 9

first , how long ago was the injury - you said work related she could go after the employer for something !
go and find a social worker (in hospitals) , they have all the answers to government programs , food , health insurance ..... and to the local department of health and social services! lots of programs!

but the social workers have all the answers , and they don't take too long to get back to you , try them first!

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FRIEND!

Answer 10

The Salvation Army The Red Cross] St. Vincent DePaul look in the yellow pages