California COBRA can be extended for up to 36 months for coverage starting on or after January 1, 2003. I believe in most other states COBRA still only lasts for 18 months.
Bankruptcy tips needed [vghost] You people are unbelievable! I don't know how to thank you. I have no words ... The list of things I have to do is getting more and more organized. I will check how the things are with COBRA and will try to get some extention. It will cost me about $435 a month, but it's better than $12000. If I get the Medicaid, I'll drop the COBRA. I have few CCs with Credit Protection plan activated, so I don't make any payments for up to two years if I'm still unemployed. I will stop paying off the rest of the cards. I will pay in full one of the cards with the lowest credit line ($1000) which is more than enough for my day-to-day needs and will not list it with the BK. If, of course, they don't close it. If they do, I'll get a secured CC for $500, or will use a debit Mastercard card, or will use my PayPal debit Mastercard card. I will wait few months to see how the medical bills are going (I have to do 4 more months of chemotherapy, eventually a third surgery). After that I will get a lawyer and will file for Chapter 7. Starting the day I file for BK I'll stop using any CC listed. I will try to construct a "cease and desist" letter. If I need help with it (never wrote a letter like this) I will come back and ask for help. Or will ask my lawyer. Now, let me see if I got it right ... As pd11604 and reddevil cleared it up, if I have nothing they can take, the only thing they can do is to take me to the court, where they can get a judgement, active for 10 (or more) years if I still remain unemployed and still have no assets. I will consult an attorney about this, but if this is the case, I have to do nothing right now, but stop paying the bills. When (if) I get a job, then it's a different story. From what I can see, I could have a job and still be able to file for a BK. Also, I am not sure about it, but I have the feeling that if I get the Social Security Disability Benefits, they will not be seen as a regular income and nobody can touch them. Let me know if I'm wrong. Once again - you have been incredible! I will keep you posted. P.S. Just to vent some air - for the last 6 months there are 4 (four) days in which I had more than $2,000 in my checking account. Three weeks ago SSA informed me that I do not qualify as "disabled" because in June I've had more than $2,000 ... Of course, I reappealed, but I've never seen judgung someone's ability to perform by the money they own. I could have no legs and hands and would still be not qualified by their rules. This sucks.
Bankruptcy tips needed [vghost] Just a funny note ... in the last paragraph of my previous posting I used the phrase "there ARE 4 (four) days" while I should've used "there WERE 4 (four) days". I noticed that about an hour after I posted it. I hit the "Edit" button and I got the following message: "Sorry, you can only edit messages for 15 minutes after posting. This limit has expired. If you need to make changes please CONTAACT the administrator." The life's little jokes ...
Hey guys! I've been researching about COBRA last few days, read a lot of articles, but it seems I'm going to lose it. Couldn't find anything about COBRA extension because of ongoing medical treatment. They say my (ex)employer could extend it, but it's totally up to him. My employer said "No". Anyway, I am preparing myself for the expected BK, CR, etc. war. Thanks to you and this board I found excellent resources and tons of information. Check the "vgCredit online" link below and let me know what you think. You've been a great help! I'll keep you posted ...
Spoke to my bk lawyer and he stated that cc with zero balances do not have to be listed. Best regards, Mirage
I still don't understand the unemployed for less than a year, and COBRA is expiring???? Can individuals qualify for longer periods of COBRA continuation coverage? Yes, disability can extend the 18 month period of continuation coverage for a qualifying event that is a termination of employment or reduction of hours. To qualify for additional months of COBRA continuation coverage, the qualified beneficiary must: Have a ruling from the Social Security Administration that he or she became disabled within the first 60 days of COBRA continuation coverage Send the plan a copy of the Social Security ruling letter within 60 days of receipt, but prior to expiration of the 18-month period of coverage If these requirements are met, the entire family qualifies for an additional 11 months of COBRA continuation coverage. Plans can charge 150% of the premium cost for the extended period of coverage http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html
Re: Re: Bankruptcy tips needed I sent an email to the Department of Labor yesterday asking about the same things. Today I got a call (which really surprised me) and the lady said that once the 18 months are gone, that's it. The only solution she suggested, was Medicaid I read the www.dol.gov site for two days last week, but thanks for the post anyway. It's you and people like you who make life easier ...
