Hospitalization is expensive. But you can access different financial options depending on your specific situation.
For instance, people with mesothelioma, a rare respiratory cancer condition caused by asbestos exposure, can use financial options like asbestos trust funds, VA claims, and worker’s compensation.
Check out the Mesothelioma Group site to learn more about financial solutions to help you pay for mesothelioma treatment.
Meanwhile, how can you raise money for a hospitalized relative?
This article lists and explains different financial solutions for families raising money to support their hospitalized loved ones.
How To Raise Money For A Hospitalized Relative
A hospitalized loved one can profoundly impact your life emotionally and financially.
Suppose your spouse can’t work, and you must take time off work regularly for hospital visits. In that case, you can experience an unexpected financial burden on top of your emotional stress.
The good news is that you can access immediate help if you’re struggling with your finances. As a result, you can focus on what’s important during this challenging time.
Here are some financial solutions that can help you raise money for a hospitalized loved one:
Government Financial Assistance
You can be eligible for emergency assistance under specific local authority schemes. For instance, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid health care program, provides medical assistance to adults and children with limited income and resources.
Note that schemes can differ per area regarding eligibility rules. For example, you must be one of the following if you want to access Medi-Cal’s benefits:
- Pregnant
- Have a disability, or have a family member in your household who does
- Have a child aged 21 or younger under your care
- Blind
- 65 years of age or older
You can use Benefits.gov’s program filters to find financial solutions in your area.
Carer’s Assistance
You can get help from the government with caregiver support programs like financial aid, legal aid, therapy, and long-term care.
The government offers several programs to assist family caregivers of veterans and individuals with chronic conditions:
- The Medicaid Self-Directed Care program allows eligible individuals to manage their health care. In some states, this program lets patients hire family members to care for them.
- Long-Term Care Insurance lets family members get paid for providing care. However, some insurance plans do not cover family members who live with their patients.
Check with your loved one’s insurance agent for more information. Also, you can ask the agent for a written benefit confirmation.
- The Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services allow veterans to set their budgets. With this program, they can choose suitable helpful products and services, like employing a family member to help them care for themselves.
- Veterans eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits are also eligible for a pension from the VA (Veterans Administration). The benefits can offset the costs of caregiving.
Families can be official caregivers for veterans with disabilities.
Learn more about the terms and conditions at your local VA pension management center.
Charity Grants
If you’re looking for medical assistance, you can get some other financial support from the charity, including outpatient travel, hospital stay, and emergency accommodation expenses.
Ask People For Help
One of the most effective methods to raise funds quickly is to ask for assistance from the community. But first, figure out how to accept gifts at a credit union, bank, or digital wallet.
Then, spread the word about the family’s or person’s needs. Reaching out to close friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors first is a good idea. Individuals are more likely to donate if they know the recipient.
You’ve likely seen articles, news reports, or websites that ask for donations to help pay a patient’s medical bills or assist a family in recovering from financially debilitating events. Likewise, you can write a letter or press release and ask local media if they can share it with their audiences.
Also, if you’re on social media sites, you can ask your friends to support and share your request for medical assistance with their networks.
Additionally, you could organize a fundraiser or a collection drive for essentials like food, clothes, diapers, and baby food.
Suppose you have a family member who is ill or recovering in the hospital. In that case, you might experience some financial stress as a result of the following reasons:
- Extra costs like travel expenses
- Hospital meals
- Your home may be far from the hospital
- Your stay may extend beyond what you expected
- You will likely need to take time off from work
However, some benefits exist for low-income families, including income support, housing, and council tax benefits.
Much stress, including financial ones, can pile up, and some people may find it difficult to cope.
Contact the hospital social worker or liaison nurse if you are worried about your finances. They can help you determine what benefits you are eligible for and what expenses you can reimburse.