Robin3948
12-14-2005, 03:00 PM
My mom has MS and hasn't been doing very well. She has only gotten worse and last week she got fired from work cause she was missing so much work. They knew that she was sick and we were waiting for her Dr. to fax over her STD paperwork. We tried contacting a lawyer but they said that they wouldn't take the case (didn't say why). She is in severe financial trouble and now that she isn't working she won't have money coming in or medical insurance. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Do you know of any good disabilities lawyers in the Chicago area? I'm trying to help her the best I can, but I just don't know what to do. There is more to her story, but that is it in a nut shell. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying not to stress, but this is getting to be too much and I just don't know what I can do to help her.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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6foot3
12-14-2005, 03:29 PM
Contact the EEOC at dept of Labor immediately . They'll help and advise on you mother being fired , they can even bring a lawsuit on your mother's behalf ! There's also the ''Americans with Disability Act . harry! (eeoc.gov)
StephanieAnne
12-15-2005, 12:13 PM
Contact Social Security there is a benefit for people who are in your mothers situation, maybe it is called SSI soc sec income, it is for people that have no other means of support, and they make fast decisions, I would call them ASAP and also ask them about Medicare and Medicade and of course she should apply for SSDI which is Social Security Disability Insurance
and what about Food Stamps which is hard to accept after you have been a contributing member of society but it is at least something, and HEAP for help with heating, I think that takes a bit of time but at least by applying now and not waiting you are making an effort and the utility company would like that. She should have been offered COBRA from her job, which is a continuation of her coverage, but that can get expensive
I was fired from my job also because of MS, I live in NY and it is a hire and fire at will state, I had used my Family Medical Leave before I was fired, did your mom go out on disability on the FMLA? But I like what 6foot3 said about the disability act, I would for sure look into that. But whatever you do, do it like yesterday, because it takes time for approval expecially SSDI
and finally contact your local chapter of the MS Society for help and if your mom is on medications, I see lots of drug companies that help people that are in her situation.
If I were you, I would ask for all that I could, go online and start searching for any assistance and not be too shy about it, because it is the "squeaky wheel that gets the grease" :)
and what about Food Stamps which is hard to accept after you have been a contributing member of society but it is at least something, and HEAP for help with heating, I think that takes a bit of time but at least by applying now and not waiting you are making an effort and the utility company would like that. She should have been offered COBRA from her job, which is a continuation of her coverage, but that can get expensive
I was fired from my job also because of MS, I live in NY and it is a hire and fire at will state, I had used my Family Medical Leave before I was fired, did your mom go out on disability on the FMLA? But I like what 6foot3 said about the disability act, I would for sure look into that. But whatever you do, do it like yesterday, because it takes time for approval expecially SSDI
and finally contact your local chapter of the MS Society for help and if your mom is on medications, I see lots of drug companies that help people that are in her situation.
If I were you, I would ask for all that I could, go online and start searching for any assistance and not be too shy about it, because it is the "squeaky wheel that gets the grease" :)
sunshine149
12-15-2005, 12:21 PM
You are getting so much wonderful advice. I just wanted to say that I feel for you and your mother. Isn't it enough that we have to deal with disease? Shouldn't we be able to forgo the financial crises?
I will be thinking about you both and hoping for speedy help through these various organizations outlined for you.
I will be thinking about you both and hoping for speedy help through these various organizations outlined for you.
Robin3948
12-15-2005, 04:35 PM
Thank you all so much for your words of advise. I'm going to start working on this stuff. I've contacted the county she that she can start getting some therapy. She was going to the unemployment office today and I told her to ask them about disability insurance. Hopefully she will do all of this. It's hard to get information out of her I normally go with her but I can't today.
Thank you again and I'll let you know what I find out.
I'm so thankful for this site and for all of the wonderful people on it!
Thank you again and I'll let you know what I find out.
I'm so thankful for this site and for all of the wonderful people on it!