What kind of help is there?

[mygirlmaggie]

My friends need some help and I was wondering if there's anything out there that would help them. They're going to get their power disconnected and are close to losing their home. They have a well so they wouldn't even have water. They have 2 kids and animals as well. They're hardworking people and great people. Would give the shirt off their backs to anyone who needed it. Just going through hard times as their youngest son has medical problems and doctor bills just keep pilin up. Is there anything out there that would help them? Even if it's to keep their power on.

[WashingtonBay]

I have some experience with this... I've worked in Social Services a long time now, ironically enough :)

There's lots of help with power bills, if the agencies that receive this kind of money haven't already spent it all.

The first is Community Action Programs... Is she also in Wisconsin? Community Action in Wisconsin - search by county (http://www.wiscap.org/aca_wisconsin_community_action_agencies.htm)

This (below) may actually be the parent source for the CAPs above... not sure how the flow chart works in your state and I didn't have time to check. Call them all :)
Home Energy + (http://www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov/)
It looks like they just got some stimulus money and may be well funded.

Google Search for more: Wisconsin Energy assistance - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=Wisconsin+Energy+assistance&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)
^You might be able to narrow your search by searching by her city or county.

Many larger churches also will help pay power bills.

[WashingtonBay]

Also - see if you have 211 (community information line) active in your area.

And if she talks to any agency that cannot help because she doesn't fit their parameters, or they're out of money... have her ask them for other resources. Those people know who else in the area is doing what.

[mygirlmaggie]

Thank you so much Washington Bay. I'll definately forward this information onto them. They really need it. Hoping there's still some funding left but I'm sure there's others out there that are bad off and need it too. Hopefully a lot of people can be helped out.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, if she's never used any of these programs, it can be a little daunting to ask.

Unfortunately, those who learn to work the system also know when funds arrive at these agencies, and who will be paying when, and most will pay off electric bills when there is a shutoff notice, once a year. Since shutoff notices are usually issued after 3-4 months of non-payment, and there's usually half a dozen agencies who do this kind of help, some people learn how to never pay their own power bills.

And that gets in the way, and takes resources away from people who actually have emergency need for once in their life, and will probably never need help again.

That's just my little rant about social service realities.

[Joshie]

Have they applied for Badger Care? Medicaid usually back pays for three months so that could help with the medical bills. They should also apply for charity/reduced bills for any outstanding medical bills. Your friends should be able to make payments for medical bills.

[mygirlmaggie]

Wow that is really sad to hear that people play the system like that. How could that not play on someone's concience?? To take away from people who honestly need the help. I couldn't see running and doing something to take money from people if I didn't need it but I guess that's just me.

With children they should be able to get badgercare wouldnt they? For the kids? I'm not sure if they checked into any of that. I'll let them know to check to help with his medical bills. Their youngest is the only one who goes to the dr mostly because he has medical problems. So they'd just need it for him mostly.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, in their mind they do "need" it. But the problem is, they've built a life around "needing" it.

That's another whole issue. I hope she can get help. :)

[Peggy Sue]

Also check with local churches many times they will have money to help families in need!!

[Remali]

Call the county social services department, I know that up here where I am (Eau Claire and Chippewa counties) there is assistance thru human services. They can help them with the electric/heat bill, and in some cases may even pay half of the bill (they can set them up on a payment plan for a few months). They can also assist with gas if they need gas to get to work, etc. Start with calling the court house and ask for social services, and ask what kind of assistance is out there, there should be a few different places. Also, like someone suggested, churches and some charities may help out too. I hope they are going to be OK, and I hope they can get people to help them with their animals too.

Also, some hospitals and clinics offer assistance if the family is withing a certain budget, and they may be able to healthcare at a lower rate. They definitely should qualify for BadgerCare, and now I heard even single people here in WI can apply for it and get it.

[rockyridge]

sadly...most who find they are in trouble have worked their whole life and helped others and never saw themselves needing ''help''...
they keep thinking that they will pull out of it so they wait and time passes and they end up in such a mess...

for their home...if they want to fight...they need to call now...and keep asking for assistance until they get to the right department....if they have had their home for a while and showed payments made in a timely manner...then they need to explain the medical and what it has done to the family...lenders right now will help if they can see a way....tell them to ask for the past due put on the back of their note...and to ask for lower rate ...just to keep asking...and it will take days of negotiating ...which also takes working time....but take action.

also ...asking for assistance is a horribly emotional toll...and people will say ''it is there for them to ask...'' but for those who have never asked ...they have no idea....to sit all day in a place full of people who can't even speak english...which is terrible to say ...but wb is right ...there are people who know what to do here and for people who have worked all of their lives and ''have done the right thing'' it is spirit breaking to sit all day and be looked at as if you have suddenly grown 2 heads ....
but they do need to fight for these services and again...if they are working....they will miss work ...and if they own their own car they will be turned down for some help...60 minutes just did(or someone did) a story on middle america who needs help now and can't qualify based on regulations that one must qualify when applying for aid and that states must re-evaluate the guidelines...
people think there is help but it will be one wall after another..
that said...tell them to contact their church...stand up and say ''we need help''...because you never know where help will come from and they need to face that not asking....not fighting....means losing their home.....
pray for them and pray with them....god bless you for helping them....i couldn't have survived without the friends i didn't know that i had....who stepped in and lifted me up when i was way below water and no strength left to swim.....

[alittleoffkey]

About the medical bills - in the state of Georgia if you pay $5 a month, they can't come after you for them. A social worker could tell them what the law is in Wisconsin. I hope they get the help they need. :)