# My Brother and Cancer (help needed) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 23, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410 "2020-02-23T21:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/1 "2020-02-23T21:55:31Z")
My Brother lost hios job several months ago. He was in cancer treatment. And now he’s not. He lives in Florida. He is still up & around, but is tapping his 401k to keep from losing his house. I’m poor, & my Sister won’t/can’t help. Are there any resources that can help my brother? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/2 "2020-02-23T22:59:00Z")
Has he tried calling [211](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/dial-211-essential-community-services) and explaining his situation? Assuming you are not in Florida, he would have to do it as it routes to a local center. I’ve had really good luck with this service. What they do (at least here in Michigan) is have lists of government/non-profit/local aid organizations, and will sift through everything they have and give you info on how to contact the organizations that can help with your specific needs. And that’s half the battle, sometimes. There’s help out there, but Googling is difficult as you get so many results - who knows if they’re available in your specific area, or will help your specific needs? 211 will narrow down the results for you, and give you a good starting point to find the help you (or, in this case, your brother) needs. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/3 "2020-02-23T23:18:29Z")
Is there a Gilda’s Club in your area? They don’t provide financial aid (beyond providing free support groups and service) but they may be able to refer you to organizations that do. Don’t contact the American Cancer Society for this kind of thing. > **[Gilda's Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilda%27s_Club)** > > Gilda's Club is a community organization for people with cancer, their families and friends. Local chapters provide meeting places where those who have cancer, their families, and friends can join with others to build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care. Free of charge and nonprofit, Gilda's Club chapters offer support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a nonresidential, homelike setting. The club was named in honor of the original Saturday Ni... [Cancer Support Community - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_Support_Community) (Gilda’s Club is a part of this) [https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/](https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/) His oncologist, and the hospital where he may have had treatment, will also have social workers and patient navigators who can guide him further. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/4 "2020-02-23T23:21:52Z")
Time to check his Medicaid, Medicare, and SSDI eligibility. He probably is not be required to count his house as an asset in determining Medicaid eligibility, particularly if his spouse and/or minor children live in it. One automobile is probably exempt as well. He should consult with a professional to determine if retirement accounts can be exempt but I don’t think so. Details on such exempt assets vary state by state. Some conditions allow easier qualification for Social Security Disability. If his condition is on the [Compassionate Allowances](https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/) list then an application for Social Security Disability benefits might be expedited. Even if his diagnosis is not on that list he may want to begin an SSDI application now as it can take a long time to process and be approved. And if he recently lost his job he may be eligible to extend his previous insurance under COBRA and/or qualify for an Obamacare insurance policy. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/5 "2020-02-23T23:22:52Z")
Can he get on Medicade? Nin’jaed ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/6 "2020-02-24T00:55:01Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > His oncologist, and the hospital where he may have had treatment, will also have social workers and patient navigators who can guide him further. No job = No health insurance. He has no Oncologist. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/7 "2020-02-24T00:56:15Z")
I doubt he is old enough for Medicaid. He’s in his 50s. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/8 "2020-02-24T01:01:30Z")
Medicaid is healthcare for the indigent, not the elderly. That’s Medicare. StG ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/9 "2020-02-24T01:19:47Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > No job = No health insurance. > > He has no Oncologist. There are other ways to get health insurance, including ACA and Medicaid (for the poor). Hospitals will treat patients- you can see a social worker there as well. Has he tried to see a doctor? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/10 "2020-02-24T03:57:04Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > Some conditions allow easier qualification for Social Security Disability. If his condition is on the [Compassionate Allowances](https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/) list then an application for Social Security Disability benefits might be expedited. Even if his diagnosis is not on that list he may want to begin an SSDI application now as it can take a long time to process and be approved. > > And if he recently lost his job he may be eligible to extend his previous insurance under COBRA and/or qualify for an Obamacare insurance policy. Here’s the Compassionate Allowances list. > **[Compassionate Allowances Complete List of Conditions](https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm)** > > Compassionate Allowances Complete List of Conditions ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/11 "2020-02-24T11:29:17Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Medicaid is healthcare for the indigent, not the elderly. That’s Medicare. > > StG Medicare also covers some [disabled individuals](https://www.medicare.gov/manage-your-health/i-have-a-disability/getting-medicare-if-you-have-a-disability), those with an approved SSDI claim but only two years after their claim is approved. Get the application going right away! ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/12 "2020-02-24T22:12:36Z")
I concur with trying Medicaid. He should be able to get health insurance, at least, and qualifying for Medicaid might give him other options, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/13 "2020-02-24T22:27:41Z")
Tommy was turned down for Medicaid, & cannot afford a lawyer for an appeal. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/14 "2020-02-24T23:41:11Z")
Neither Florida (where he lives) nor Tennessee (where you live) has implemented Medicaid expansion: > **[Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions: Interactive Map](https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/)** > > This page displays an interactive map of the current status of state decisions on the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. Additional Medicaid expansion resources are listed (with links)… A possibility is for him to move to a state which has implemented the expansion. There is Obamacare–but it has high premiums and only certain times of the year one can sign up. Traditionally people simply run up massive medical bills and declare bankruptcy. With respect to drugs several of the drug manufacturers have charity programs for those with no or inadequate insurance. You might set up a Gofundme and ask the mods for permission to post it here–but I doubt if it would raise much money–compared with extremely high medical costs. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/15 "2020-02-25T01:55:31Z")
Start with 211, as discussed above. He should also call his local hospital and ask for their social worker, as discussed above. When he stopped treatment, was he in remission? Does he have life insurance? If so, many plans will allow a pre-death withdrawal for certain things, like cancer. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/16 "2020-02-25T02:09:58Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Medicaid is healthcare for the indigent, not the elderly. That’s Medicare. > > StG I honestly don’t know the rules but doesn’t owning his own house and having a 401K make him not indigent? ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/17 "2020-02-25T02:51:30Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I honestly don’t know the rules but doesn’t owning his own house and having a 401K make him not indigent? You’re probably right, he would need to spend down to qualify for Medicaid. **Bosda** - Did he lose his job because of the cancer? He may have some rights under FMLA, depending on his old employer’s size. StG ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/18 "2020-02-25T04:42:27Z")
If he lost his job that would be a “qualifying event” that would allow him to apply for a plan through [Healthcare.gov](http://Healthcare.gov). ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/19 "2020-02-25T10:10:13Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > You’re probably right, he would need to spend down to qualify for Medicaid. > > **Bosda** - Did he lose his job because of the cancer? He may have some rights under FMLA, depending on his old employer’s size. > > StG Tommy refuses to open up & discuss that. Overall–Tommy is not very open, and is usually quite nasty. Mostly, he just rejects all my suggestions. I suspect Depression. But–I got one Brother left. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410/20 "2020-02-25T17:21:17Z")
Well, good on ya for wanting to help him out. But there’s only so much you can do - and only so much we can do to help YOU with advice or suggestions - unless he can clarify basics. If he’s actively rejecting what you have done or suggested so far, then there may not be much sense pushing the issue too hard. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-and-cancer-help-needed/848410.md?page=2)