Friend with hyperemesis gravidarum. Trying to help find support.
June 16, 2013 9:56 AM Subscribe
A dear friend is at 10 weeks pregnancy and suffering terribly, and I'm trying to figure out what sort of disability she can qualify for. Already lost 15 lbs, unable to keep down almost anything. She's seeing a doctor, who has her on Zofran now, but she's still completely unable to work. She is in northern California, a well-regarded freelance artist, and to make matters worse...uninsured.
I'm researching what sort of financial support she can tap into at the state/federal level, but of course they don't make it easy. It doesnt appear she qualifies for Social Security disability because it will last less than one year. I'm confused about state disability, because of her freelance status. She has been employed full-time, about 2 years ago, so she would have paid into the system at that point.
Any information on support systems for her, or even a lawyer/professional who can help us tap into the right programs would be appreciated. I'm reaching out to helpher.org (a hyperemesis gravidarum support center) as well, but there does not seem to be a lot of info about disability. She's so unwell (and not getting as comprehensive care as she should), but also so anxious about financials, it is just making things worse. Any personal stories would help, too.
I'm researching what sort of financial support she can tap into at the state/federal level, but of course they don't make it easy. It doesnt appear she qualifies for Social Security disability because it will last less than one year. I'm confused about state disability, because of her freelance status. She has been employed full-time, about 2 years ago, so she would have paid into the system at that point.
Any information on support systems for her, or even a lawyer/professional who can help us tap into the right programs would be appreciated. I'm reaching out to helpher.org (a hyperemesis gravidarum support center) as well, but there does not seem to be a lot of info about disability. She's so unwell (and not getting as comprehensive care as she should), but also so anxious about financials, it is just making things worse. Any personal stories would help, too.
I am not quite right. Medi-cal covers low income pregnant women. More here.
posted by insectosaurus at 10:03 AM on June 16, 2013
posted by insectosaurus at 10:03 AM on June 16, 2013
Yes, MediCal should be quick. An uninsured pregnant woman I know was amazed at how quickly they were able to get her into the system.
Food stamps might be another possibility.
The BenefitsCal website is the place to apply for both, and I think you can just submit one application and they'll sort out what you're eligible for.
posted by jaguar at 10:04 AM on June 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Food stamps might be another possibility.
The BenefitsCal website is the place to apply for both, and I think you can just submit one application and they'll sort out what you're eligible for.
posted by jaguar at 10:04 AM on June 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
I was in the exact same situation but in Arizona. I applied for medicaid, and (eventually, after much lost paperwork and many many hours at the DES office on multiple occasions) got approved, basically right before my child was born; most of the prenatals I had to pay out of pocket, and I couldn't afford Zofran... If she qualifies for California's programs then you might be able to help her apply and go through the red tape in a more efficient manner. The hardest part, for me, was dealing with the stress and the long lines and waits and such while constantly throwing up and being hardly able to stand; even just having someone with me to wait at the office so that I could go puke in the bathroom without being afraid I would miss my number being called would have been helpful.
If she doesn't qualify for medicaid, it's so hard. I barely did, and I was dirt poor, because they were taking my partner's income into account and he had huge amounts of debt that made his effective contributions to the household about 1/3 of what they should have been considering.
Helpher.org is excellent, but the money stress is a terrible thing to try to deal with on top of being already ill. She needs resources to help with the anxiety as well. Worst case scenario: she comes out deeply in debt, and will have to pay it off later, but by that point she won't be sick and she can totally handle it as it comes. I know that's a shitty scenario to be in, but I had to think through every possible outcome when I was freaking out, and someone just reassuring me that I was going to make it through and survive one way or another was extremely helpful.
posted by celtalitha at 10:09 AM on June 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
If she doesn't qualify for medicaid, it's so hard. I barely did, and I was dirt poor, because they were taking my partner's income into account and he had huge amounts of debt that made his effective contributions to the household about 1/3 of what they should have been considering.
Helpher.org is excellent, but the money stress is a terrible thing to try to deal with on top of being already ill. She needs resources to help with the anxiety as well. Worst case scenario: she comes out deeply in debt, and will have to pay it off later, but by that point she won't be sick and she can totally handle it as it comes. I know that's a shitty scenario to be in, but I had to think through every possible outcome when I was freaking out, and someone just reassuring me that I was going to make it through and survive one way or another was extremely helpful.
posted by celtalitha at 10:09 AM on June 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seconding BenefitsCal. You're right that she isn't eligible for SSDI (federal program) if she's only going to be disabled for six or seven (more) months; California's programs are a good deal more complicated so I can't answer questions about them. I'd look for advice from someone who spends almost all their time dealing with those particular programs, honestly.
She may also want to consider asking for help from religious organizations - some have programs for connecting pregnant women with resources. They are typically focused on preventing abortion, but they often help any pregnant woman, or at least any single pregnant woman, do pretty much anything to stay afloat and keep her baby healthy. In general they are more "pro-life" than "pro-adoption," so it's unlikely they'll pressure her in that way. If she needs someone to help sit with her waiting in lines and such, they often have volunteers just itching to do pretty much anything at all for pregnant women, so.
posted by SMPA at 11:20 AM on June 16, 2013
She may also want to consider asking for help from religious organizations - some have programs for connecting pregnant women with resources. They are typically focused on preventing abortion, but they often help any pregnant woman, or at least any single pregnant woman, do pretty much anything to stay afloat and keep her baby healthy. In general they are more "pro-life" than "pro-adoption," so it's unlikely they'll pressure her in that way. If she needs someone to help sit with her waiting in lines and such, they often have volunteers just itching to do pretty much anything at all for pregnant women, so.
posted by SMPA at 11:20 AM on June 16, 2013
The 211 website might also help you find programs. Bay Area 211, if she's in that part of the state. (You can also just call "211.")
posted by jaguar at 11:31 AM on June 16, 2013
posted by jaguar at 11:31 AM on June 16, 2013
I also wonder if it might be helpful to call your local Planned Parenthood. They're dealing with a lot of uninsured and low-income women, and I suspect they'd have a good handle on resource available.
posted by jaguar at 11:34 AM on June 16, 2013
posted by jaguar at 11:34 AM on June 16, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks, all. Is there a professional that could help guide her through all of this? I'm not even sure where to start with searching for that. A lot of her support system (including me) is down in So Cal, but we've got some money we could throw towards that. My biggest worry about all this is her not being able to deal with the endless circus of lines and paperwork, as detailed by celtalitha above.
posted by fillsthepews at 1:17 PM on June 16, 2013
posted by fillsthepews at 1:17 PM on June 16, 2013
Is she getting any medical help at a hospital? The professional most likely to be helpful in guiding her through all this would be a social worker, who would most likely be found at a hospital. If she's not working through a hospital or they can't help, she could try a Community Health Center -- they should have social workers in their mental health departments.
posted by jaguar at 1:33 PM on June 16, 2013
posted by jaguar at 1:33 PM on June 16, 2013
Here's a list of California medical clinics that treat uninsured and low-income folks. No idea which ones are applicable but maybe you could help do some digging?
posted by barnone at 4:33 PM on June 16, 2013
posted by barnone at 4:33 PM on June 16, 2013
AIM is a California program for 'mid-income women' - possibly for folks who don't qualify for low-income assistance.
posted by barnone at 4:40 PM on June 16, 2013
posted by barnone at 4:40 PM on June 16, 2013
The wellbeing of pregnant mothers and babies is of prime importance from a community standpoint nearly everywhere at this time. If she's been seen at a hospital, go there first for help - they have all sorts of connections to special OB services for uninsured women and they'll get her fixed up. If by any remote chance that doesn't come through, or fast enough, call Planned Parenthood and ask for referral to someone who can help. Usually the hospital has an OB Clinic run by Residents and Interns and completely devoted to making sure Mom and Baby have a successful pregnancy.
Best of luck.
posted by aryma at 11:04 PM on June 16, 2013
Best of luck.
posted by aryma at 11:04 PM on June 16, 2013
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posted by insectosaurus at 9:58 AM on June 16, 2013