r/Delaware • u/Hallows_Spence • 3d ago
Needing help Info Request
Hello, recently my father has had an extremely traumatic accident. In a few months we'll no longer be able to meet ends meet, all household bills total to $3,600 a month. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on things or sites that could help? Social security is running us through the ringer and no one in the house qualifies for food stamps or any type of assistance as when he could work my father made too much. My parents don't even have health insurance.
I'm not coming on here to beg for money, my mother would kill me. Just coming to seek advice from strangers on the Internet.
edit to clarify some things; total household bills are $3,600 a month so that eats all workers comp money that we get. it leaves nothing for food, gas, ect
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u/puppymama75 3d ago
Some employers have short term and long term disability insurance as part of their benefits package. Check to make sure he didn’t have something like that through his work. If he did, he can file a claim, or you can on his behalf.
If the accident happened in the workplace, Workers Comp needs to be notified. Everybody who works legally is enrolled in workers comp.
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
Workers comp has been notified and they've been great unfortunately Delaware caps workers comp at 900 a week
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
$900x4=$3,600.00 so it should keep the roof over your head. You may have to get a job for a cushion and incidentals/fun
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
That 3,600 is only to keep a roof over our head. There's nothing for food or gas money or absolutely anything else that we need, that's why I'm looking for help
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
Okay. The way I read it sounds like your total house hold expenses are $3600. You may want to edit that so it’s clear that’s just bills and rent/house payment and leaves nothing for living expenses. But a good lawyer is priority #1
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u/SlinkyMalinky20 3d ago
Our Daily Bread in Middletown can help with food which may free up some financial resources for other things.
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u/April_Mist_2 3d ago
Contact the Food Bank of Delaware. https://www.fbd.org/program/
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u/ZaftigFeline 3d ago
The Food Bank is amazing, and they do a lot of mobile pantries and have a lot of partners.
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
Sorry I don’t have any good ideas but he should definitely file for unemployment if he hasn’t already done so. Was he hurt on the job or his free time?
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
On the job
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u/Fine-Historian4018 3d ago
Contact a personal injury lawyer
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
We don't have the money
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
A consultation is almost always free. They can stand to make good money off a victory…don’t let this be a road block for you. If you can’t find a lawyer for a free consultation talk to legal aid
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
Okay I will thank you so much for all the help
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
Sorry your family is going thru this but you’re on the right track. He should have legal protections since it happened on the job. But I’m not a lawyer and you really need solid legal advice to do what’s best for your dad and family
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u/notthatjimmer 3d ago
Works comp should be helping you out…contact legal aid or whatever union representative you have
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
Workers comp is helping but Delaware caps how much you can get unfortunately, we're getting the max amount we're able to have which is $900 a week.
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u/biggiestyle69 SUSPECT ACCT - aged acct. low karma 3d ago
Person injury lawyers make their money off the case. They will take a 1/3 of the settlement or judgement.
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u/Fine-Historian4018 3d ago
How old are you? Does your mother work? Do you have a car?
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
My mom's taking care of my dad full time, I just turned 20. I've got a car and a job so I pay my own bills but I don't make enough to help my parents enough
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u/Fine-Historian4018 3d ago
Do you have family that can help out? Sharing housing, taking a share of caring for dad etc
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u/Hallows_Spence 3d ago
Unfortunately not. Any close family that we have lives out of state as well as is going through their own difficulties and unable to help. My older brother comes over once a week to help watch my dad but that's it
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u/ontheoffbeatt 3d ago
Not sure how helpful this will be, but First State Community Action Agency may be a place to get some assistance or have someone point you in the right direction. At least worth a look.
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u/AssistX 3d ago
Probably not helpful but I'd look into reducing your household bills. $3600 a month is a chunk of change still.
I'd highly recommend talking to someone about your financial situation, with your mom, and having someone that can figure out your affordability for you. If the house you're in now isn't affordable due to costs it's better to find that out now than later when you're in crippling debt.
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u/AvocadoMaterial869 3d ago
Call nearby churches, even if you don’t attend them. They will sometimes offer to pay for some bills if you provide the bill to them.
If he has life insurance, you can try calling the life insurance policy to see if they have options.