Children and Health Insurance: Making It Work Financially
Submitted by iammai
I've had friends who are moms tell me that as much as you would love to give your children everything and as hard as you try, you would never be able to. I get all that. It's understandable. My question is, how do you give them the bare minimum, sufficient care (food, health care, or otherwise) if you can barely give that to yourself and your spouse/partner?
My husband and I have been together for more than four years, just recently married. We have discussed having children for a long time, but have put it off for a number of reasons, mainly the big one: money. My husband suffers from clinical depression, just recently has he started getting over it. The long term, however, has affected us financially (difficulties finding and keeping good jobs). I don't have a college education, but I do have a good job that helps us get by in life. Just barely, it seems (but that could just be me. I'm so frugal with my money).
How do young parents or single-income households take care of and provide for their babies/children without some sort of assistance, be it from family or friends or the government? I've researched Medicaid and CHIP, as well as Food Stamps and WIC and you have to make a certain amount or lower in order to qualify. Well, what if you barely make over that amount but not enough or barely enough to care for just the two of you? I feel like I'm stuck in the middle—between a rock and a hard place! I have health insurance through my job, but since we are such a small company, we have a group policy. To add on a spouse or a dependent would be a VERY costly, out-of-pocket expense ESPECIALLY for me.
I have talked with a few people about government assistance programs, who have had or are currently on it. But I still don't know. I know I ought to discuss it with the actual government office, I'm just afraid they will turn me down.
Sure, it's better to take the chance to find out if you will qualify or not; I guess I'm just not much of a risk taker! I kind of would like to get other people's input as well as experience and anything else you think might help me. A survey, if you will!
What does everyone else think?? What would you do if you were in this situation? If you are already in this situation, what do you do? Food-wise, health care, etc. Thanks for all your help and advice in advance! :]
How do young parents or single-income households take care of and provide for their babies/children without some sort of assistance, be it from family or friends or the government? I've researched Medicaid and CHIP, as well as Food Stamps and WIC and you have to make a certain amount or lower in order to qualify. Well, what if you barely make over that amount but not enough or barely enough to care for just the two of you? I feel like I'm stuck in the middle—between a rock and a hard place! I have health insurance through my job, but since we are such a small company, we have a group policy. To add on a spouse or a dependent would be a VERY costly, out-of-pocket expense ESPECIALLY for me.
I have talked with a few people about government assistance programs, who have had or are currently on it. But I still don't know. I know I ought to discuss it with the actual government office, I'm just afraid they will turn me down.
Sure, it's better to take the chance to find out if you will qualify or not; I guess I'm just not much of a risk taker! I kind of would like to get other people's input as well as experience and anything else you think might help me. A survey, if you will!
What does everyone else think?? What would you do if you were in this situation? If you are already in this situation, what do you do? Food-wise, health care, etc. Thanks for all your help and advice in advance! :]
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