Financial help can come in many forms. It’s not always as straightforward as a check being written to you. Often it comes in the form of a reduction in cost for health insurance, grants to start a small business, scholarships for education, and help in finding assistive technology that can enable your disabled spouse to participate in the work force again.
If your spouse is disabled, your first step should be to apply for Social Security disability benefits. This is a federal program set up to pay money directly to those who have become disabled. The process is not quick, taking up to a few months or longer, so it is imperative to get the ball rolling. Chances for success will be improved by medical documentation and if the disability is on the list of qualifying conditions.
Another federal program you should be aware of is Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). Though the funds come from a separate pot, this is a close cousin to Social Security disability and is meant to provide payments for the elderly with limited income, or for the blind or disabled with a condition expected to last at least 12 months.
In the area of disability, the federal government provides a wide range of tools to find the particular kind of assistance you’re looking for. In the case of a disabled spouse, a great website to visit is GovBenefits.gov. Their search tool allows you to input what kind of assistance you seek, such as disability benefits, and receive a lengthy list of programs to contact. No matter the particular disability, it’s likely there will be at least a few appropriate choices.
The secret to success is not to be overwhelmed by the bureaucracy of any particular program. Pick one, fill out the required forms and follow up when necessary. Go on to another program and repeat the process. Chances are, in the case of a legitimate disability, there will be financial assistance forthcoming in one way or another.