[trst]

Hi all, I'm looking for a little advice for my sister. She is in Florida. She is on the edge of major financial problems. Her child is hospitalized in a long term care facility. My sister put the insurance deductable for 2006 (billed by the facility) of over $2500 on her BoA card. She is now looking at the new year and a renewed deductible of $2500 starting in January. She cannot switch insurance plans because the facility is not covered by the other plans available to her. Her old model car is at death's door. She has been pouring $ into it and is not sure how much longer it will last. Her minimum monthly payment for Boa is $170 with a 9% interest rate. She called to ask then to lower it, they told her no and in fact said they were planning to INCREASE it since she was late several times recently. I'm at a loss as to how to advise her. She is not being pursued by any CA yet, but she is this close to defaulting. Any suggestions for digging herself out would be appreciated.

[Pale Rider]

Have her check with the insurance company and/or hospital to see if the deductible can be made in payments rather than lump sum. I'm not sure if they allow such things, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Also, depending on her income and the hospital, she may qualify for some sort of assisstance program, which may reduce her portion of the bill. Have her contact the billing department of the hospital to see what programs are available.

[jlynn]

Pale's ideas are good, and without getting personal, is there something specifically wrong with the child, that there might be foundations that will help her? She might look into that.

Secondly, is she late enough for B of A or other creditors to report her late? Are her scores high enough that she might can still find some 0% offers? Will that be enough to help her thru another year? Or will that just be robbing Peter to pay Paul?

[Gib]

Just a thought, your sister might also look into whether the child is eligible for SSI.

[trst]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I'm going to talk to her about these suggestions and questions later today.

[JayinGR]

the FIA helps alot as well....

[trst]

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I talked it over with my sister. The facility the child is in usually requires payment up front, but she discussed it with billing and they are willing to take payments because she has insurance. So she has to come up with the $ over several months. She decided last year that putting it on the credit card was a good idea , she is rethinking that this time around. She hasn't been 30 days late yet on the card, just a few days...enough to hit her with fees. The 0% offer is a great idea. It is probably robbing Peter to pay Paul, but I think she is hoping things will turn around for her child and she won't have to pay again the next year.

She is contacting social security. That is something neither of us had thought of. Thank you.

Jay, what is FIA?

Thanks again all.