I just want my life back

[Lovetoteach 53]

I'm feeling really down at the moment. I have waited 1 year and now 3 months for my I-360(vawa) petition to be adjudicated (including contacting my congress person 3 times). I have been to a removal hearing with another due in April. I sent back my RFE's in December and they said I would here something within 60 days. They have touched my case twice on the 23rd/24th January and tomorrow it will be 60 days. I have heard nothing else. I've been patient to the extreme

I cannot work, cannot get benefits (even though the Prima Facie I got said I could). I am living in sh#t hole of a place with friends helping me out. For the last week I have had no water and today received a letter regarding my sons emergency hospital visits which took place in May/June last year. They will not help financially and I'm expected to pay $1700 within 10 days.

I'm sorry I just needed to vent.

Shona

[KarenCee 3]

Oh Shona....my heart is breaking for you. I will keep you and your son in my thoughts and hope you hear something positive soon. As for the hospital bill, I can't believe they refuse to help. Do they have an indigent fund? Our local hospital has this kind of funding to help with situations such as this. Have you tried talking to a patient representative? Sometimes this helps. *sigh* I do wish I could do more than offer advice. I can light some candles for you though and will do so tonight.

[Moonie 0]

As far as with the doctor bill pay what you can, I am not sure how it is in your state but they can't really do anything to you if you can't pay it just send you to collections. Write a letter to the people requesting the money stating that you are not able to work and send them 5 dollars or nothing at all. They should have 30 days to respond to you in writing if not then I don't think they can persue it. I did that with a hosptial bill. I did not have insurance went in for TESTS and was charged $5000 I wrote them a letter saying the charges were incorrect and they never responded and I never paid a dime and it has never shown up on my credit report. ::shrug::

I know it may not seem that way but things do get better...

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

That's so sad.

[SoL. 0]

I am sorry Shona and hope things get better for you soon

[marcycat 0]

Wow, that all sounds awful. I don't have any good advice about the hospital bills, but there might be some resources available through the state. I know Wisconsin has programs for uninsured children. You might want to look into CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program.) I have no idea if your son would be eligible, but it's worth a try, and maybe it will direct you towards other resources. Here's a couple of links:

http://www.amsa.org/cph/CHIP.cfm

http://www.amsa.org/cah/chiplinks.cfm

Hang in there!

[babybunny 2]

GO to Church! maybe the churchs in your area and also the catholic charities can help you get your water on and also give you food, clothing. they also can help with other things too go see them. you have to humble yourself but, they will help you.

[The_dip_sticks 0]

Im sorry that you are in this situation, I hope that you are able to work things out and that God may help you resolve your troubles.

[MrsBruce5 0]

Hi Shona,

Just know that it won't last forever. Things WILL get better.

If I can offer one piece of unsolicited advice-be pro-active in your cause. Start making calls to find out what's up with your I-360.

Phone each day if you have to-and keep phoning your congressman until you get results. Make a lot of noise-and tell them you're going to go to your local news channel to have them do a human interest story. Be prepared to go forward with the local news. People WILL listen, and people will act.

As far as the hospital goes-they may or may not put it in for collections-and you will have a chance to respond. Tell them you're unable to work, and that you cannot afford to pay them.

My husband works for a company that bills hospitals. He does all the databases and sees what happens with billing. He tells me that they have the ability to simply write it off as a "bad debt". They may or may not attach it to your credit-however, he tells me that it is likely that it may just be simpler for them to write it off. There is also a good possibility that it will never make it to collections. Right now, don't concern yourself over it. It is just a"bill"-to hell with it.

Keep strong and know things are temporary. My thoughts are with you.

((((HUGS))))

Rose

[diadromous mermaid 36]

I'm feeling really down at the moment. I have waited 1 year and now 3 months for my I-360(vawa) petition to be adjudicated (including contacting my congress person 3 times). I have been to a removal hearing with another due in April. I sent back my RFE's in December and they said I would here something within 60 days. They have touched my case twice on the 23rd/24th January and tomorrow it will be 60 days. I have heard nothing else. I've been patient to the extreme

I cannot work, cannot get benefits (even though the Prima Facie I got said I could). I am living in sh#t hole of a place with friends helping me out. For the last week I have had no water and today received a letter regarding my sons emergency hospital visits which took place in May/June last year. They will not help financially and I'm expected to pay $1700 within 10 days.

I'm sorry I just needed to vent.

Shona

What's the snag with the benefits, Shona? The reason a Prima Facie Determination is made, subject to the initial application appearing to be valid, of course, is with the express purpose that the determination will make certain benefits available to the petitioning alien, while the case is being adjudicated!

Edited February 12, 2007 by diadromous mermaid

[dmartmar 1]

I'm feeling really down at the moment. I have waited 1 year and now 3 months for my I-360(vawa) petition to be adjudicated (including contacting my congress person 3 times). I have been to a removal hearing with another due in April. I sent back my RFE's in December and they said I would here something within 60 days. They have touched my case twice on the 23rd/24th January and tomorrow it will be 60 days. I have heard nothing else. I've been patient to the extreme

I cannot work, cannot get benefits (even though the Prima Facie I got said I could). I am living in sh#t hole of a place with friends helping me out. For the last week I have had no water and today received a letter regarding my sons emergency hospital visits which took place in May/June last year. They will not help financially and I'm expected to pay $1700 within 10 days.

I'm sorry I just needed to vent.

Well Shona, I guess you're finally realizing it isn't as simple and quick as you thought it'd be. Maybe if you had stayed married and done everything through your husband, your case would've been approved a long time ago! It is you who put yourself in this position. Dig it?

Hi Shona,

Phone each day if you have to-and keep phoning your congressman until you get results. Make a lot of noise-and tell them you're going to go to your local news channel to have them do a human interest story. Be prepared to go forward with the local news. People WILL listen, and people will act.

As far as the hospital goes-they may or may not put it in for collections-and you will have a chance to respond. Tell them you're unable to work, and that you cannot afford to pay them.

There is also a good possibility that it will never make it to collections. Right now, don't concern yourself over it. It is just a"bill"-to hell with it.

Yeah Shona! And after you send this one bill to hell, do the same with the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, until eventually you send them all to hell! There's nothing better than having you and your husband's life made public, denigrating the people you hope will adjudicate your waiver on TV and take advantage of that same health system who was kind enough to take care of your son in his time of need. Don't forget to make your husband look as evil as possible so people really buy your story and feel very sorry for you!

What's the snag with the benefits, Shona? The reason a Prima Facie Determination is made, subject to the initial application appearing to be valid, of course, is with the express purpose that the determination will make certain benefits available to the petitioning alien, while the case is being adjudicated!

Even with benefits, I would assume that Shona is going to get a job and work. After all, she does owe the hospital some dough!

Edited February 12, 2007 by dmartmar

[broma25 2]

I'm feeling really down at the moment. I have waited 1 year and now 3 months for my I-360(vawa) petition to be adjudicated (including contacting my congress person 3 times). I have been to a removal hearing with another due in April. I sent back my RFE's in December and they said I would here something within 60 days. They have touched my case twice on the 23rd/24th January and tomorrow it will be 60 days. I have heard nothing else. I've been patient to the extreme

I cannot work, cannot get benefits (even though the Prima Facie I got said I could). I am living in sh#t hole of a place with friends helping me out. For the last week I have had no water and today received a letter regarding my sons emergency hospital visits which took place in May/June last year. They will not help financially and I'm expected to pay $1700 within 10 days.

I'm sorry I just needed to vent.

Well Shona, I guess you're finally realizing it isn't as simple and quick as you thought it'd be. Maybe if you had stayed married and done everything through your husband, your case would've been approved a long time ago! It is you who put yourself in this position. Dig it?

Hi Shona,

Phone each day if you have to-and keep phoning your congressman until you get results. Make a lot of noise-and tell them you're going to go to your local news channel to have them do a human interest story. Be prepared to go forward with the local news. People WILL listen, and people will act.

As far as the hospital goes-they may or may not put it in for collections-and you will have a chance to respond. Tell them you're unable to work, and that you cannot afford to pay them.

There is also a good possibility that it will never make it to collections. Right now, don't concern yourself over it. It is just a"bill"-to hell with it.

Yeah Shona! And after you send this one bill to hell, do the same with the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, until eventually you send them all to hell! There's nothing better than having you and your husband's life made public, denigrating the people you hope will adjudicate your waiver on TV and take advantage of that same health system who was kind enough to take care of your son in his time of need. Don't forget to make your husband look as evil as possible so people really buy your story and feel very sorry for you!

What's the snag with the benefits, Shona? The reason a Prima Facie Determination is made, subject to the initial application appearing to be valid, of course, is with the express purpose that the determination will make certain benefits available to the petitioning alien, while the case is being adjudicated!

Even with benefits, I would assume that Shona is going to get a job and work. After all, she does owe the hospital some dough!

Wow, kick a girl when she is down why don't ya!!!!

[dmartmar 1]

Wow, kick a girl when she is down why don't ya!!!!

It's just that one thing really has nothing to do with the other.

Or do they?

[Moonie 0]

Ouch

[Lovetoteach 53]

Thank you so much for those who have sent helpful advice and kinds thoughts. I really appreciate it.

I have water now, after my landlord finally fixed the pump.

I am trying to sort out the bills and had already contacted the hospital a while back, who stated they would try and get me help, but on Friday replied that they couldn't. I have been in contact ,when need be, with my congress person and one of the reasons for a delay is that the immigration Court in Detroit took over 4 months to send my I360 back to Vermont. I will be contacting her again this week.

As for the benefits I applied in January 2005.

D. Mermaid : The 1996 Welfare Reform Act states the immigrants cannot get benefits for the first 5 years. I have been to churches and, have been able to get free school meals for my son thankfully.

As for that one obnoxious person dmartmar "go to to hell and join my bills" Is this a case of deja vu where you were mean and nasty to me previously?. Do enlighten me as to your problems you have with me. Other than that, if you can't be a decent human being, then don't post and put people down when they already are.

For your information I 360's do take their time, but my petition has taken longer than most.

How dare you you to tell me I should have stayed with an abuser. My husband refused to go the AOS interview. Don't you ever read things correctly??????????????. He put me in this situation. DIG IT!!!!!!

I have every intention of working and paying my way. I have two Bachelor hons degrees, which includes one in teaching. I do not want to live on benefits and work on the side as you suggested. I just want to be able to work and pay my way like everyone else.

As my post stated, I just needed to vent.

Many many thanks again to all of you who had kind words to say and helpful advice to give.

Shona

Edited February 13, 2007 by shona