Helping someone with disability?

[Tarrant64]

Hey OT, how is everyone today? I have a few questions and am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. A good friend of mine last month had a tree fall on him crushing his left leg completely. He is having extensive work done and they say by next year he should be walking again(although with a cane for a couple more years if not more). He was in a wheel chair for awhile but now out on crutches when he can stomach the pain. Now, to the questions:

He only has a year left of school(if not just a semester), however he has not been able to work because of the disability. He is more of a handy man and does a lot of work that requires him to be up and about on his feet. Last year he built several decks for people in the community, now he's just..sitting around. He needs money to start paying his loans, among other bills. Isn't there federal aid that can help?

Also, he tried contacting the people he goes through for his loans and they said they couldn't defer it for him. I was thinking what the hell find a lawyer and get those deferred! He should be able to do this without getting a lawyer right? He has NO MONEY right now. He's already moved home and I've helped him out with getting moved out of his house he was renting, but that's all I can do.

Aren't there scholarships for the disabled as well? I tried sitting him down and going through some options but it's hard for him to even accept he's where he's at. He used to wrestle for high school, is really a physically fit guy, and it's just hard on him.


CLIFFS:

• Friend injured when a tree fell and crushed his leg.

• Needs disability aid of some sort to at least help him finish school.

• Loan place originally told him they would not defer what was due.

• What does he need to do or who can he talk to?

Thanks for any advice you all have!

 

[dude8604]

Maybe he could find some sort of desk job?

 

[Whisper]

Has he thought about applying for SSI/disability? If he's worked in the past, and he plans on returning to work once his leg heals, I'd imagine he'd be able to qualify for at least some sort of government assistance.

 

[BoomerD]

Does your state offer a disability insurance type of program? We have one here that's very similar to unemployment insurance and is run through the EDD.

 

[Playmaker]

Why is he so worried about paying his student loans? As a student, he shouldn't have to make payments until after the grace period ends (6-12 months AFTER graduation, depending on the loan).

 

[summit]

yeah and the payments are over 10 year period so payment per month is relatively low.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Summit
yeah and the payments are over 10 year period so payment per month is relatively low.

10 years?

 

[waggy]

first he is not disabled. so the odds on getting SSDI/SSI are slim and none. Yes there are Goverment type programs to help disabled pay for school. but since he will be able to work again doubtfull he will get it.

BUT he should be able to get it defered and no you shouldnt need a lawyer.

 

[Tarrant64]

Originally posted by: Playmaker
Why is he so worried about paying his student loans? As a student, he shouldn't have to make payments until after the grace period ends (6-12 months AFTER graduation, depending on the loan).

I think one of the loans he has was for school, but it wasn't technically a student loan. The bank I am with(Citi) actually has a program where if you lose your job they defer all your payments for 12 months or something like that.

And with some student loans, it's if you don't register for classes again that your loans kick in, regardless if you graduate or not. My student loans(I switched to part-time night school) kick in every 6-months if I don't send in a deferment form.

 

[Tarrant64]

Originally posted by: waggy
first he is not disabled. so the odds on getting SSDI/SSI are slim and none. Yes there are Goverment type programs to help disabled pay for school. but since he will be able to work again doubtfull he will get it.

BUT he should be able to get it defered and no you shouldnt need a lawyer.

So even if he ends up with a cane to help walk the rest of his life he's not technically disabled???

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Tarrant64

Originally posted by: waggy
first he is not disabled. so the odds on getting SSDI/SSI are slim and none. Yes there are Goverment type programs to help disabled pay for school. but since he will be able to work again doubtfull he will get it.

BUT he should be able to get it defered and no you shouldnt need a lawyer.

So even if he ends up with a cane to help walk the rest of his life he's not technically disabled???

nope.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Tarrant64

Originally posted by: waggy
first he is not disabled. so the odds on getting SSDI/SSI are slim and none. Yes there are Goverment type programs to help disabled pay for school. but since he will be able to work again doubtfull he will get it.

BUT he should be able to get it defered and no you shouldnt need a lawyer.

So even if he ends up with a cane to help walk the rest of his life he's not technically disabled???

nope.

Maybe not in waggy-world, but if he's "mobility impaired" he's disabled...the question becomes "to what point?"
Sure, he may recover to 100% of his pre-accident status, but if not, he's disabled by what ever percentage. Will it be enough to qualify for SSDI? Probably not, since the requirements for that are very strict, but he SHOULD qualify for SSI, at least short term.

Kahleeforneeya has a decent state disability program that is run through the state employment offices. It covers workers who get hurt/sick from causes other than work related.
http://www.disabilitybenefits1...pport/sdi/program2.htm

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Tarrant64

Originally posted by: waggy
first he is not disabled. so the odds on getting SSDI/SSI are slim and none. Yes there are Goverment type programs to help disabled pay for school. but since he will be able to work again doubtfull he will get it.

BUT he should be able to get it defered and no you shouldnt need a lawyer.

So even if he ends up with a cane to help walk the rest of his life he's not technically disabled???

nope.

Maybe not in waggy-world, but if he's "mobility impaired" he's disabled...the question becomes "to what point?"
Sure, he may recover to 100% of his pre-accident status, but if not, he's disabled by what ever percentage. Will it be enough to qualify for SSDI? Probably not, since the requirements for that are very strict, but he SHOULD qualify for SSI, at least short term.

Kahleeforneeya has a decent state disability program that is run through the state employment offices. It covers workers who get hurt/sick from causes other than work related.
http://www.disabilitybenefits1...pport/sdi/program2.htm

considering we were talking about SSDI i'm right. there is NO way he will get SSDI.

Even the odds on getting SSI i svery very slim. Even then depending on backlog it may take a few years to get it.

Sure there are state programs. IL has one called Department of Rehiblitation and service (DORS) though i think they changed names again. Wich would help him. BUT odds are since in a year he should be wakling (even with a cane) they won't do much for him since odds are they are swamped with people needed help (people who are in far far worse shape then he is.

even then many places wont consider him really disbled since the odds of him being fine in a year are great.