Christina, I promise you aren't alone. My husband was a pool contractor, we already sold all our dirt bikes to help stay afloat, we had 10 of them, including 2 brand new hondas we bought in december
-
If your husband has paid federal income tax, he should be eligible for SSDI, no? My husband paid federal and state taxes, he didn't pay into the California state disability tax, since that is voluntary, but he did pay federal social security. He only gets 676 a month, but that is better than nothing.
Can you sell your house and still buy something smaller? Or could you put a trailer or a modular home on your property and rent out the main house to cover the mortgage? Also, did you buy life insurance for your husband? If you did, you may have an accelerated benefit rider. We were able to get 1/2 of my husbands life insurance up front, which we will use to help remodel whatever we buy to make it accessable to him. He also bought himself a jeep, (we are selling his work truck to cover that cost, but in the meantime it is a fun little toy he can haul around in) - Can you sell your husbands business? we were able to sell some of my husbands business, it was enough to completely get us out of debt, so we have no car payments, credit card debt or any of that, thank goodness.
It is hard to lose that stuff, I know. It is hard on the kids too. My son was really sad when the last dirt bike sold, but what else can we do? I know it is hard on them, they are used to a pretty lavish life style, and the gravy train has come to a grinding halt. But, there are lots of fun things to do that are cheap, days at the park, picnics, beaches, lakes, etc... that are all wheelchair friendly too! Kids are pretty adaptable, and at this point it is about survival. You need the money to provide the basics for your family, a roof and food... kids are resiliant.
I know it is alot Christina, but something will work out. Really think about the modular home deal, or trailer on your property. It just may work, if your property is zoned for 2 dwellings? I am wishing you the best, and know that you aren't alone... there are families all over this country dealing with it, and going thru it just like us. The other thing I always remember is that even if I won the lottery tomorrow, the only thing that would be different is our home... I mean, it can't buy our husbands health back, and it is just money, at the end of the day, what does it really matter? I know that when you are broke, as we all are, that is easier said than done, but money comes and goes, our time with our spouses is short now... we have to try to enjoy what we have while it is here....one day at a time
Andrea - wife of Pals Jim