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I'm 17, my mom passed suddenly, 3 months ago. My dad now has to live in a nursing home.( He is disabled, she was his primary caretaker) Our home is being sold, and I'm told all proceeds go to nursing home. I have to support myself. How can this be true

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I've asked Igloo as well as the Admins to offer some advice to Jude as well.
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Yes, applying for Medicaid is a very tedious process and can take a long time. My daughter in law is legally blind and she has been fighting with Medicaid for over a year for coverage after she retired from her job. Hopefully the money spent to hire this company will be successful and make things go quickly.When you turn 18 you might need to look for services in the government that are meant to help people in your situation. Health coverage, community colleges, work study programs, ask you counselor now for help. If you do not feel you are getting the right answers keep looking until you find someone who is willing to help. Those people are out there. You should do what you can to go to school and work at the same time. I hope you have a friend or good peer group to hang with and talk to. This is not an easy situation for any young person to handle. I hope your Dad is understanding of your needs as well.
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I have applications in to several colleges, have been accepted to a couple. Applying for financial aid now.
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Please be sure to talk to your guidance counselor and the legal aid lawyer about how to fill out the FAFSA paperwork.
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You must present uourself to the dovial worker at the NH tomorrow and ask her advice. For starts, you need to contact Legal Aid and get yourself a lawyer. If you are an unemancipated minor ( are you still in HS?) your father still has an obligation to support you and Medicaid, i believe, is not allowed to empoverish you. I'm trying to keep this question at the top of the list so our legal eagles see it.
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Good for you. You will succeed and I hope that tomorrow you feel inspired to talk to someone at school. While this may not have been a vision you would have written for yourself you will benefit from being what is known as a "survivor." Don't accept second best for yourself.
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Iggy, thanks for coming to the rescue.

As to a solution outside of Juvenile Court or other institution, I don't think jurisdiction would extend to Jude. I worked in the County Juvenile Court as a court reporter; there were two areas of jurisdiction: neglect and delinquency. Caseworkers were overloaded; a situation like Jude's wouldn't even be considered neglect, but this was also several decades ago.

Your suggestions for an interested teacher or person in her high school are good; she could get that kind of support more easily than an overworked counselor or social worker who might not be experienced in handling a situation like this.

Jude, I'm wondering also if your aunt could step in to help out until you go to college, or are there any other relatives who could provide support? I'm a bit concerned after reading Iggy's comments on emancipated minors. If school staff become involved, they might have to report to social services that a 17 year old girl is living alone. I believe that school officials are mandated reporters, which means that certain conditions require them by law to notify authorities.

Perhaps even an adult cousin or relative could stay with you in the house until you leave for college.

I don't want to frighten you, but just help you to be aware of the issues that might arise.

Just wanted to add that I hope you continue to share what you learn from contacting folks today so we can follow your progress.
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Please find someone to talk to. Are you still in school? Try a counselor. Do you have a church ? Try a youth minister. You need an advocate as the basis of this story provokes too many questions. You also need someone you can trust. Is your father competent ? Do you have any siblings or aunts and uncles? Look for any form of competent advice . Since you have access to a computer start researching what is happening. Don't be afraid to document , asks questions, write down peoples names for reference . If you are being forced to take over a role you never thought possible you will become stronger when you feel more informed. Check back and stay strong.
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Good point on keeping the question up top. Medicaid has rules that govern what assets your Dad can have if he needs to have his medical needs covered by them. But you have rights also. You may qualify for Social Security as a minor of a deceased.A lot might depend on your mom's age and if she worked. Do you feel your Dad is making a good decision or is he being "talked" into this? A POA only has the authority if your Dad says so, he can always revoke it. You will have to decide whether you feel you have a comfortable trusting relationship with your aunt. hard to think about but maybe key as to how you feel things will work out for you. You have a parent so you are not considered an orphan but the courts should have services for you.
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My aunt hired a company to apply for medicaid, it is a very tedious process, I'm told. I do receive SS benefit under my dad's SS Disability, but that will stop when I turn 18. This Senior Planning Company says they will try to get me a stipend per month from my father's assets, but it too will stop when I am 18. I graduate HS in June and I will be 18 in June.
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