Hi,
I have a friend in Alabama, who is really struggling, as a lot of you must be I am sure.Her husband is locked up and her hours have been cut back to such a degree she is getting more and more into debt. Can anyone tell me about social security you have over there or any financial aid available for her and her family please?
I was not sure to post this.

Hello Blackbear, Welcome to PTO,I am sorry to hear about your friends situation,but good thing is ,that yes, there are a variety of things that your friend can do to recieve help for her and her family, 1st,if her children ,or a child is a minor,she should call or visit her local Soc.Security office,any minor children,should be elgible for health services ,as well as the mother herself, they will receive literally free,medical,dental,and medications (called medicaid) same as insurance,except the copay is $1, as far as them recieving a monthly check for the children,that may be a possibility,I think that in Alabama,that they pay benefeits ,if the bio father is incarcerated,but again,on that, i am not positive, however,like i say,there are programs that will pay you to look for work,help you to find a good job,assist in housing pay,utility bills,and possibly more,the thing she needs to do is to get started,i as far as food,emergencies,there is a 10 day max,to get food $ to you,depends on her situation,but that is a good start for her,she will be amazed at how much help she will be able to obtain,and I wish you and her both the best,i also wanted to add,that these programs are wonderful for people,who get caught up,in a situation,where they really had no control over it,it is the ones,who abuse the free help,that really aggravate me,unfortunately that goes on everywhere,I trust this woman,will be thankful to receive the help,keep me posted,later on,and let me know how things worked out for her,she should be fine though,she has a wonderful friend that cares.God Bless All!!!!

This is from the social security administration website:

Question
My husband is presently incarcerated and does not receive social security benefits. Are my son and I eligible for any benefits while he is in jail?

Answer
There is no provision in the Social Security Act to provide benefits for you or your child while your husband is incarcerated if he is not currently receiving or eligible to receive social security benefits. However, you may want to contact your Social Services/Welfare department to find out if there are any locally sponsored programs that may be able to provide you with assistance. They may also be able to provide you with the names of organizations that may be of some help.

If your husband was eligible and receiving Social Security benefits prior to his incarceration, payments to you and your son would not be affected

Like BT said above there are programs out there. She could check with her counties heath dept also for programs that are available.

This lady and children are eligible for FoodStamp..HuD houseing..rent based on income and utilities are sometimes included...the waitinglists are long...There is Medicad for the children WIC if under 5 and she just might get "/Welfare Assistance" and Daycare expenses to help her work..they will also help her find work or put her in school. She needs to get to her County DHR office.
Talk to her and feel free to PM me with her email and I will try to send her in the right directions.

Alabama Granny