Husband may become disabled. I'm already disabled. I'm worried

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So, I stopped working in June, 2021 (last day was June 4th). My husband and I have been getting by on just his work income. Keep in mind, in addition to our mortgage, monthly bills, and 1 vehicle debt, we also have to pay for my medical supplies…

I have type 1 diabetes, which is an extremely expensive, life-threatening on the daily disease. I require an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, to try and keep my blood sugars in a safe range. The insulin pump supplies + CGM supplies cost around $2,000 / month AFTER insurance, up until the max out-of-pocket is met. I live in the USA. Insurance is a joke. The entire medical structure here is a joke.

On top of that, there’s my psychiatric meds. Those are also expensive, but not as much. Then there’s my asthma maintenance medications.

Anyway… The point of this post is that I am worried that my husband will need to stop working. But how will we afford all of my medical crap? IDK.

My husband is incredibly dizzy (vertigo) and nauseous. He also has relentless heartburn that won’t go away no matter what. He can barely get through the workday. He takes multiple breaks. He’s super overwhelmed. He also has autism, so his senses are overloaded and he says he feels “out of his mind”.

10 years ago, he had a flare like this one (before I knew him). He was not working. He was basically bed-bound because of the vertigo and nausea. It lasted for 3 years…

We’re afraid that he’s going into a flare like that one, again.

I don’t know how to help him. Don’t know what to do.

If I was still working, I wouldn’t be as worried. Cause we’d have my income. But … what if we end up with no income at all?

Kinda scared. I can’t talk to him about this possibility because the thought stresses him beyond belief. I know he thinks about it. But we can’t talk about it.

Thanks for reading my long post. :turtle: :heart:

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I wish you the best. You seem like a nice person. Things will work out. :cat2::cat2::cat2:

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I’m sorry @Blossom
Can you guys apply for disability assistance?
Like SSI

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Thanks, @GrayBear. :orange_heart:

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Thanks, Wave. :orange_heart:
I applied for SSDI, but Social Security says it will be 5 months before they make the first decision. That’s a long time to wait.

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I would hire a good lawyer and get the ball rolling now.
It may take less than 5 months you never know.

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God bless you both I pray you can figure it out. Sounds like your in a tough situation but I’m sure you’ll find a way to keep smiling. Only thing I can say is there’s ups and downs in life and soon things will be better

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That’s true. My dad has a law firm that has multiple … areas of expertise, I guess you could say? One part of the law firm represent disability claims. They said to hire them after / if my claim is denied the first time.

2 of my doctors wrote supportive letters, about me being disabled. I just don’t know how to get them to SSA during the pandemic. Things are different now.

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Thanks, @POET. :orange_heart: I appreciate your reply.

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I say go for it.
Some lawyers come to your house.
Don’t give up so easily.

I got approved for SSDI disability within a month because I hired a lawyer.

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Sorry to hear of your troubles, I worry my health will fail and have to fight it homeless, so I know how you feel

Hope you get the help you need and quickly

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I’m sorry,

That would stress me out too.

Diabetic supplies are crazy expensive.

Wishing you luck with your situation.

Try not to worry too much,

You’re tough, you’ll survive.

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Thanks, Mountainman. :orange_heart: I really hope you don’t become homeless.

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Thanks, @GoldenRex. :orange_heart: :slight_smile:

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I used allsup to apply for SSDI. My company required me to use them but I don’t think they are very expensive if you want to try it. Maybe medicare can help with some expenses. Their website says they have a 97% SSDI success rate.

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Can you lean on family for support if things don’t work out with the SSDI? Hoping things work out for you and your husband

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I worry about not being able to support myself too, o want a job but get symptoms anytime I apply for one, it’s like someone dosent want me working

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My husband and I are both disabled and we both receive Ssdi. I only get $700/ month $500 after paying for my Medicare and advantage plan). So far, we’ve made it work but it’s not easy.

For instance, I can’t afford all the food my daughter eats. She’s vegan and prefers really expensive food. Plus, she’s very thin and wants to gain weight. I had to have a talk with her about it and she ended up moving in with her dad. He is wealthy and can afford it. She’s 21 and has learning disabilities and mental illness so work has been tough for her to keep and find. That means she can’t chip in.

Point being, we survive on our Ssdi. We have a mortgage and all those other bills too.

I switched my meds to the cheap ones (for sza I’m currently on Haldol) so I don’t have to pay hardly anything for my meds. At least that helps

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If he does lose his job, you’ll be able to apply for Medicaid and that will cover most, if not all, of your medical stuff.

Is your husband going to the doctor to figure out why he’s having these problems?

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You’re right. I hope we’d be able to get Medicaid. That would help.

Yeah, he sees an ENT in 2 weeks and a gastroenterologist in September. Just getting by one day at a time. :confused: I hope those doctors can help him.

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