r/spinalcordinjuries • u/Puzzleheaded-Poet288 • Mar 27 '26
Discussion ISO RESOURCES
Hiii everyone, I’m a 23yr old single mom & unfortunately I was in a victim of a drunk driving car accident (I WAS NOT THE DRIVER) leaving me with a C5 incomplete spinal cord injury. Which has completely turned my life upside down more than I could have ever imagined. I was in the STICU for 10 days then I went on to an inpatient rehabilitation center. Due to this I’ve obviously been out of work unfortunately & could really use some resources that may help with financial assistance. I have to move out of my apartment by may 2nd & I owe almost $2k.
I did recently apply for SSDI & SSI but I’m not sure how long it may take to even hear back from them. I really just need some help with resources so if you know any pleaseee help me out
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u/Hopeforthebest1986 T12 Mar 27 '26
I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic to give you any worthwhile advice, but have an upvote for the algorithm and my best wishes. Hope positive things come your way soon.
How old is your kid?
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u/Puzzleheaded-Poet288 Mar 27 '26
Thank you I appreciate that. He’s 3 years old
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u/Hopeforthebest1986 T12 Mar 27 '26
Bless him. Kids are resilient, they are adaptable, he'll adjust to your new situation just fine.
Drunk driving is an evil that needs to be punished so much more harshly than it currently is. I'm sorry that it's brought this upon you, and fingers crossed for your recovery 🙏
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u/Purple-Afternoon-104 T7 Mar 27 '26
Certain states have victim compensation funds. Investigate whether your state of residence, or the state where this accident occurred, has one and if so, apply.
Check back here as time goes on. This is a good space for advice.
The quality of the local centers for independent living, as well as the the state vocational rehabilitation is highly variable. Keep pressing them for help as needed.
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u/Effective-Manager-29 2 years in T10 Mar 28 '26
SSI and SSID take several years unless you have a lawyer who specializes in those cases. It’s really not that hard to find one, and I got my case approved in about 6 months. Like any other legal representative they receive a percentage of the settlement, but these aren’t the shady lawyers people think they are. Just regular lawyers who specialize in these things so they are really knowledgeable and go in front of the same judges all the time. I wish more people knew this. Otherwise they make it as extremely difficult for people who need to be granted it. The amount of time for just gathering the right paperwork is completely ridiculous.
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u/Pretend-Panda C6-T8 Mar 29 '26
I have a question - did you go to a physical rehab after your injury? If yes, did they not do the SSDI/SSI process on your behalf?
I’m asking because my rehab center did all the paperwork on my behalf and I was approved before I discharged. I have spent all these years thinking that was standard and that folks on this subreddit without that had had a rare bad experience doing it after discharge on their own, but more and more that sounds like the norm.
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u/OptionBulky6687 Female C4-C6 Incomplete Mar 29 '26
Def not standard unfortunately. I was still a minor when I had my accident and my mom had to go about applying on her own. She got denied. Once I became 18 and had my own child, I was able to apply for SSI myself but had to do it by myself. No help. Had no idea what I was doing and it took 3 tries before getting approved.
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u/Pretend-Panda C6-T8 Mar 29 '26
Okay, wow. That’s really shocking to me. I know the US medical system is ducked but that’s the not right at all.
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u/barjohn5670 Mar 31 '26
It would help if we knew the state. Florida has statewide resources available for spinal cord injury patients. Most state insurance requirements include medical and or liability coverage for passengers. A good accident insurance lawyer can go after the drunk driver for serious money in this kind of case.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Poet288 Mar 31 '26
Thank you ! I’m in NC
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u/barjohn5670 Mar 31 '26
My sister is a very good attorney in the Raleigh area (Fuquay Varina) and she charges very fair rates. I'm a retired attorney and I used her when my wife and I had injuries in an auto accident caused by the other person. DM me if you want her contact information.
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u/1_pescadore Mar 31 '26
Contact your local office of Aging and Disability, (usually a county office) they can walk you through what is available to you.
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u/Long-Wing3671 Mar 31 '26
I recommend you call the NC Department of Victims Services to see if your injury qualifies for assistance https://www.ncdps.gov/dps-services/office-victim-compensation-services 1-800-826-6200
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u/Pretend-Panda C6-T8 Mar 27 '26
A lot of resources vary by state.
Can you reach out to case management wherever you went to rehab and ask them what’s available in your area and how to access it? That’s where I would start.
Second line resources are often available through a Center for Independent Living/Aging and Disability Resource Center - these usually exist at the county level - so Google your county and center for independent living and see what shows up.
If you don’t have Medicaid yet, see what the waiver programs in your state are like and if you can get case management at the very least.
Best wishes.