Emergency Financial Aid Needed
Donation protected
Here's some backstory before I get into the issue:
I have a few chronic medical conditions. As a result, I am no longer able to work. I went on a short-term disability leave Dec 2016. Summer 2017, I transitioned to long-term disability. (Note: This is not the same as government disability. Short-term and long-term disability are employer benefits.) I have been on long-term disability since. I have also applied for social security disability as of May 2017 with an attorney's help. So far, I have been denied twice. I am now waiting on a hearing date. This has nothing to do with my long-term disability.
Now, to current issues: Each time I see my doctor, the info has to be sent to the long-term disability company, Cigna. My last doctor visit was July 18. You know how doctors note how you were during that appointment? My doctor noted that during the appointment, I was not in any acute distress and my mental state was normal. Mind you, this is his observation during a 15 minute appointment, not my whole life, and his observation was correct. I was okay during that appointment.
Cigna decided that since he observed that I was okay during that 15 minute appointment, that I am now okay to work. That makes no sense. There have been no changes in my medical conditions in the last year that I have been on long-term disability. Their logic for closing my case is weak. However, the appeals process is long and of course, they hope people will give up so they don't have to pay. Cigna informed me today that they are starting the review of my appeal and that it could take 3-4 weeks to get a decision. I can't go that long without pay. I was last paid July 18.
My husband does work but he does not make enough to support us on his own. Rent is already late for August due to this. Total rent due is $1066.74 with the 10% late fee added. (That number also includes water, trash, and sewage. My apartments told me if August rent is not paid by Aug 20, they will start eviction proceedings. That's 11 days from today.
Electricity is also past due now and is $149.28. This does not include our other monthly expenses such as internet, cell phone, groceries, prescriptions, doctor visits, and other expenses.
I know some people are going to say to look for community help and government resources. We may be able to go to food banks although that is a bit difficult since we got rid of our car to save on bills once I went on my disability leave since it is only 60% of my former pay.
Our situation does not merit other resources to help with things like electricity and rent. Some deny us due to my husband making too much even though after taxes and insurance, he does not make enough to pay even our rent and utilities, let alone the other monthly expenses added to that.
Other community services deny us because this isn't a 1 time issue that can be resolved in a month. Some require that you can prove that if they help you this month, you can take care of things next month. We can't prove that.
I am not guaranteed an approval from long-term disability, although it is highly likely that the appeal will be approved. They already approved me for long-term and have been paying it for a year. There has been no change in my condition and I've already explained their weak reasoning for closing my case. I am also going to be contacting an attorney tomorrow for help with Cigna.
I'm hoping for $1500 as that will cover rent and electricity with a little extra to help with the other expenses and allow me to continue going to the doctor and getting my prescriptions.
I have a few chronic medical conditions. As a result, I am no longer able to work. I went on a short-term disability leave Dec 2016. Summer 2017, I transitioned to long-term disability. (Note: This is not the same as government disability. Short-term and long-term disability are employer benefits.) I have been on long-term disability since. I have also applied for social security disability as of May 2017 with an attorney's help. So far, I have been denied twice. I am now waiting on a hearing date. This has nothing to do with my long-term disability.
Now, to current issues: Each time I see my doctor, the info has to be sent to the long-term disability company, Cigna. My last doctor visit was July 18. You know how doctors note how you were during that appointment? My doctor noted that during the appointment, I was not in any acute distress and my mental state was normal. Mind you, this is his observation during a 15 minute appointment, not my whole life, and his observation was correct. I was okay during that appointment.
Cigna decided that since he observed that I was okay during that 15 minute appointment, that I am now okay to work. That makes no sense. There have been no changes in my medical conditions in the last year that I have been on long-term disability. Their logic for closing my case is weak. However, the appeals process is long and of course, they hope people will give up so they don't have to pay. Cigna informed me today that they are starting the review of my appeal and that it could take 3-4 weeks to get a decision. I can't go that long without pay. I was last paid July 18.
My husband does work but he does not make enough to support us on his own. Rent is already late for August due to this. Total rent due is $1066.74 with the 10% late fee added. (That number also includes water, trash, and sewage. My apartments told me if August rent is not paid by Aug 20, they will start eviction proceedings. That's 11 days from today.
Electricity is also past due now and is $149.28. This does not include our other monthly expenses such as internet, cell phone, groceries, prescriptions, doctor visits, and other expenses.
I know some people are going to say to look for community help and government resources. We may be able to go to food banks although that is a bit difficult since we got rid of our car to save on bills once I went on my disability leave since it is only 60% of my former pay.
Our situation does not merit other resources to help with things like electricity and rent. Some deny us due to my husband making too much even though after taxes and insurance, he does not make enough to pay even our rent and utilities, let alone the other monthly expenses added to that.
Other community services deny us because this isn't a 1 time issue that can be resolved in a month. Some require that you can prove that if they help you this month, you can take care of things next month. We can't prove that.
I am not guaranteed an approval from long-term disability, although it is highly likely that the appeal will be approved. They already approved me for long-term and have been paying it for a year. There has been no change in my condition and I've already explained their weak reasoning for closing my case. I am also going to be contacting an attorney tomorrow for help with Cigna.
I'm hoping for $1500 as that will cover rent and electricity with a little extra to help with the other expenses and allow me to continue going to the doctor and getting my prescriptions.
Organizer
Angela C
Organizer
Orlando, FL