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I took on the responsibility of caring for my Intellectual disabled cousin, not realizing how much it would take to clear up her parents estate, which is a nightmare. I am disabled myself, and live on fixed income as does my cousin. How do I or where do I go for help?

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I appreciate everybody's help.. I am more worried about my sanity then anything, The worries over being able to care for her and to get through the probate process, but in the mean time the house that belongs to my cousin has to be maintain , there for her SSI goes to that and food and my SSDI goes to my household and medical bills, we are both in our early 50's . I had hoped before my dad took ill that he would've convinced my uncle to get his affairs in order, but that didn't happen.. So it all landed on my lap..I just cant see her going to a state facility, they aren't pretty here in SA. TX. Thanks to you all . I will look into the information given to me..
Lynda
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I know that you can get a little something from the government for taking care of someone who is disabled. My coworker's daughter gets something from Social Security for taking care of her daughter who has Downs Syndrome. The case worker said it was cheaper in the long run to pay the mother than to have the daughter in a home. Then I saw that you have SSD and that would goof things up with the both of you. Give her social worker a call to help her through this and help you find placement for her. I would call the Department of Aging too. I don't know how old you or your cousin are but you might need every available resource to make sure that she is taken care of without the both of you ending up homeless.
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Texas has grown so fast and as a Republican state has elected not to expand Medicaid and other federal programs. So yes, lots of needy folks chasing fewer dollars. In San Antonio, you can also check with Catholic charities (help for any religious denomination)
(210) 222-1294|info@ccaosa.org.
Found a whole listing of services at Alamo Service Connection, an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) connecting seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and caregivers to services and resources in Bexar, Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson counties
Website is http://bexar.tx.networkofcare.org /aging/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=BH-8900.9100
if they crop the web address, try googling the name. LOTS of services - utilities help, food pantries, assistance for military etc.
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Lynda, when you mean your cousin's house, I assume it is the house that she inherited from her parents?   If yes, once probate is finished, time to sell the house without doing any repairs.   Now a days there are buyers who purchase houses, fix them up, and re-sell them.  Then your cousin can use the equity in the house to pay you for her care.

I am really surprised that your cousin's parents didn't put together a Trust for her future care.   As for you getting paid to care for your cousin, it is not easy to find funds.   A vast majority of family caregivers are caring for love ones without getting paid.
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Thank you for your advise.. as for my disability, I can work as long as I don't make over a certain amount, But I need the extra pay to handle my cousin affairs. Her house is in need of desperate repairs and we are still waiting on probate..and the property taxes are taking half her money a month just pay this year and save for next year..I am beside myself.
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I live in San Antonio Tx, as for food I get food stamps but its just 173. a month and my cousin only gets 16.00, as for housing I have a house with a mortgage payment and the wait for section it is ridiculous here.. I have found out that getting help here in SA is like pulling teeth.. its hard..
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Since you don't give a location in your profile, it's hard to be specific. You can contact the Area Agency for Aging in your community to get resources. If she is on Medicaid (probable if she is disabled), she should have a social worker that you can contact. Be aware that if you get paid to be a caregiver, you can jeopardize your own disability claim (depending on nature of disability). If you need help with food, you can contact meals on wheels (or the Visiting Nurses Association in your area, frequently working with meals on wheels). You can contact United Way, which has a clearing house in most states that will give you a list of agencies that can help you. Depending on the type of housing you are in, you can apply for Section 8 low income housing or utilities subsidies for lower income from your local utility company.
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