Hi Tina T,
I am not sure which state that you are in so this information listed below is in reference to PA, but if you need further assistance for your state let me know and I will help you with those resources if possible.
The DPW website at
has a wealth of information. You can find a link under general information to the handbooks and manuals which have everything you need to know about how to qualify and what you qualify for.
If you can prove that you currently have no income, you should be eligible for benefits now. Also, if your health situation limits your ability to work and your doctor would consider you "permanently disabled" you would be considered for the Medicaid category for permanently disabled a person who has a higher income limit. What I always suggested to those who have medical conditions is to see if their doctor would consider them to be "permanently disabled." Permanently disabled people fall into a Medicaid category with a higher income limit and more income deductions. On the disability form (PA 1663) you and the doctor can say how your employment is limited due to your medical condition. All it takes is for your doctor to check the permanently disabled box on the form and you have a better chance of qualifying for Medicaid. Your medical expenses could also be used as deductions so collect proof of this when you apply. I would encourage working people to pursue this avenue if they need medication to function because Medicaid does not consider this population as it should unfortunately and many people are left hung out to dry. I've seen it too many times especially with diabetics and asthmatics.
Also I have heard a lot of people who have problems when they need to file appeals for their cases; they face their current benefits being shut down. The way to avoid this is to contact your caseworker and tell her that you want your benefits to continue while you appeal. The only drawback to continuing benefits while you appeal is that if you really do not qualify at this time you will have to pay the food stamp money back that you receive. If a medical assistance overpayment exists, an overpayment will be filed but you would not owe money back. As it is stated in the hand book for Pa (I have this site referenced below),
The client may continue to receive food stamps, cash assistance, medical assistance, etc. if the appeal is filed within 13 days of the notice. The CAO or agency must explain to the client that if benefits continue and the client loses the appeal, an overpayment may occur. If your caseworker says that you cannot receive benefits during your appeal and you appealed in a timely manner site the above which is from Supplemental Handbook 870.11.
Also if your children have disabilities... make your caseworker aware of this if she isn't already. If your children don't qualify for MA because you are over the income limit, they may still be eligible for MA based on the fact that they have disabilities.
Here are a list sites that are non profit orgs and may be able to help for those who are dealing with cancer.
For some reason these sites wont copy so here is the site that I found a lot of them from.
# Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.
# Cancer Center for Detection and Prevention
# Cancer Federation
# Cancer Fund of America
# Cancer Fund of America Support Services
# Cancer Hope Network
# Cancer Memorial Donations
# Cancer Recovery Foundation of America
# Cancer Recovery Foundations Children's Project
# Cancer Recovery Foundations Little Angels Project
# Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
# Cancer Research for Children
# Cancer Research Foundation of America
# Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Foundation
# Cancer Research Institute
# Cancer Support Services (CSS)
# Cancer Survivor's Coalition
# Cancer Treatment Research Foundation
# CancerCare
Here is another web site that list many orgs that assist with everything. It may be a useful tool to find help with anything you need. All of them list their email address (I think) Just email them let them know your need and location and they may either be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.
Amie
Comment Reply
Hi Tina T,
I am not sure which state that you are in so this information listed below is in reference to PA, but if you need further assistance for your state let me know and I will help you with those resources if possible.
The DPW website at
www.dpw.state.pa.us
has a wealth of information. You can find a link under general information to the handbooks and manuals which have everything you need to know about how to qualify and what you qualify for.
If you can prove that you currently have no income, you should be eligible for benefits now. Also, if your health situation limits your ability to work and your doctor would consider you "permanently disabled" you would be considered for the Medicaid category for permanently disabled a person who has a higher income limit. What I always suggested to those who have medical conditions is to see if their doctor would consider them to be "permanently disabled." Permanently disabled people fall into a Medicaid category with a higher income limit and more income deductions. On the disability form (PA 1663) you and the doctor can say how your employment is limited due to your medical condition. All it takes is for your doctor to check the permanently disabled box on the form and you have a better chance of qualifying for Medicaid. Your medical expenses could also be used as deductions so collect proof of this when you apply. I would encourage working people to pursue this avenue if they need medication to function because Medicaid does not consider this population as it should unfortunately and many people are left hung out to dry. I've seen it too many times especially with diabetics and asthmatics.
Also I have heard a lot of people who have problems when they need to file appeals for their cases; they face their current benefits being shut down. The way to avoid this is to contact your caseworker and tell her that you want your benefits to continue while you appeal. The only drawback to continuing benefits while you appeal is that if you really do not qualify at this time you will have to pay the food stamp money back that you receive. If a medical assistance overpayment exists, an overpayment will be filed but you would not owe money back. As it is stated in the hand book for Pa (I have this site referenced below),
The client may continue to receive food stamps, cash assistance, medical assistance, etc. if the appeal is filed within 13 days of the notice. The CAO or agency must explain to the client that if benefits continue and the client loses the appeal, an overpayment may occur. If your caseworker says that you cannot receive benefits during your appeal and you appealed in a timely manner site the above which is from Supplemental Handbook 870.11.
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/oimpolicymanuals/manuals/bop/su/870/870.htm#P...
Also if your children have disabilities... make your caseworker aware of this if she isn't already. If your children don't qualify for MA because you are over the income limit, they may still be eligible for MA based on the fact that they have disabilities.
Here are a list sites that are non profit orgs and may be able to help for those who are dealing with cancer.
For some reason these sites wont copy so here is the site that I found a lot of them from.
http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=113&id=4fce305d-7652-45e3-8...
# Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.
# Cancer Center for Detection and Prevention
# Cancer Federation
# Cancer Fund of America
# Cancer Fund of America Support Services
# Cancer Hope Network
# Cancer Memorial Donations
# Cancer Recovery Foundation of America
# Cancer Recovery Foundations Children's Project
# Cancer Recovery Foundations Little Angels Project
# Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
# Cancer Research for Children
# Cancer Research Foundation of America
# Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Foundation
# Cancer Research Institute
# Cancer Support Services (CSS)
# Cancer Survivor's Coalition
# Cancer Treatment Research Foundation
# CancerCare
Here is another web site that list many orgs that assist with everything. It may be a useful tool to find help with anything you need. All of them list their email address (I think) Just email them let them know your need and location and they may either be able to help you or direct you to someone who can.
Amie
http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp
May 9, 2008 - 1:54pmThis Comment
Reply