(MoneyNewsWire.Net, January 14, 2014 ) Dothan, AL – It is ironic that January is both Financial Wellness Month and Poverty in America Awareness Month. Most people who suffer from disabling conditions preventing them from working know all about poverty. Losing a steady income is bad enough, but then many Americans are forced to go without income for as long as two years before the disability insurance they paid for begins paying them, and then only a portion of their previous income. It is no wonder that a leading group of people who file for bankruptcy are also those who have medical problems.
Recent government reports say that nearly 38 million people live in poverty in the United States. One in six children live below the poverty line. The recent economic downturn increased the ranks and many people content with affluence found themselves living a new life without homes and on the streets.
With that said, just because someone is living in poverty does not mean that they cannot experience financial wellness either. Financial Wellness is not being rich. It is simply living within your means. Financial wellness starts with being content. Many people find themselves in deeper debt due to their lack of being content in purchasing items they do not need and cannot afford. Young people are often enamored with purchasing a flashy new car and some salespeople are quite happy to burden them with $500 per month car payments for 6 years. Big screen TV’s are nice, but not needed. Steaks taste wonderful, but chicken is cheaper. Learning to budget the money available and living within that budget is financial wellness.
To a person with a disability who is living in poverty, the idea of financial wellness probably seems fictitious, especially when they are waiting for benefits to begin being paid. During the time period when there is minimal cash flow is the best time to start getting a financial house in order so that when the benefits begin to be paid the person is on more sound financial footing.
One of the first things to do is tackle medical bills immediately before they are turned over to collections agencies. If there is no income coming in, then the bills are much more likely to be waived, reduced or paid for by charity. A person may be more likely to see their medical bills reduced if they go to a Catholic, Baptist or charity run hospital for medical care. Once a bill is received the person should contact the billing office and file paperwork requesting assistance.
The next financial area to tackle is to reduce monthly bills. First cut out the fluff. Next look at bills for which some type of public assistance can be obtained. Normally this is electric bills. Pick up a free cellphone to replace the phone bill. Reduce water bills by using water saving shower heads and toilet controls. Reduce food bills by applying for food stamps. Although none of these measures will replace a non-existent income, even small things can help.
Poverty is alive and well in America. But so too is financial wellness. Those living below the poverty line can experience financial wellness by being content, looking for and obtaining assistance and taking the opportunities available to help them lower and eliminate bills.
About the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers
Recognized as one of the nation’s premier law firms, The Cochran Firm handles cases on behalf of clients seeking a Personal Injury Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice, Bankruptcy Attorney in Atlanta or Social Security Disability Lawyer. The Firm can be reached at 1-800-THE-FIRM (1-800-843-3476) or visit their website at http://www.cochrannation.com. “Working for You.” Article by Benjamin A. Irwin, Esq.###
Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers
163 West Main Street
Dothan, Alabama 36301
1-800-THE-FIRM (1-800-843-3476)
www.cochrannation.com
Cochran Firm
Benjamin A. Irwin, Esq.
800-843-3476
contact@cochrannation.com
Source: EmailWire.Com
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