Rehab is an important part of achieving long-term sobriety. Having stable finances during rehab is a common challenge for people who want help for their substance use disorders. Taking the time to determine how to pay bills while in rehab will allow someone to concentrate fully on their recovery and make it easier on their family.
1. Create a Budget and Financial Plan
The first step is to create a budget and financial plan. You need to know how much money you need to cover bills, such as house payments, car payments, childcare, and so on. You should also budget for household expenses like internet, cell phone service, and food for your spouse and children. Once you know how much you need, you need to determine where that money will come from and who will be responsible for paying the bills.
2. Save Money By Cutting Unnecessary Expenses
The next step is to look at where your money is going. Are there any expenses you could eliminate that would help save money and reduce the amount you need? For example, could you turn off your cable or internet service while in rehab? You might want to cancel any subscription-based services as well.
3. Options to Pay Bills While in Rehab
Once you know what bills you need to pay, you need to decide how they will be paid. You could set up automatic payments to come out on the due date from your checking or savings account. Another option is to have the payments charged to a credit card.
You could also prepay some bills to cover the time you are in rehab, like making multiple house or car payments. However, notify the lender you want to prepay your loan to advance the date until after you are out of rehab. Another option is to have your spouse or trusted friend manage your finances and make the payments while in rehab.
4. Where to Get Money to Pay Bills While in Rehab
Now that you have a plan, you just need the money to pay bills while in rehab. You could use your credit cards to pay bills and make minimum payments on the cards so long as you do not exceed your available credit limits. You could take out a personal loan and use that money to cover your bills and set aside part of the loan to cover monthly payments on it.
Another solution would be to see how much paid time off you have available from your job and use that so you will still get a paycheck. If you have short-term disability insurance, you could also use that to still receive a portion of your income to cover your bills.
5. Apply for Scholarships and Grants
Many rehabs can refer you to scholarship and grant programs that can provide money to cover your bills while you are in rehab. Some of these opportunities will also pay some or all of your substance use rehab costs if you qualify, freeing up your money so you can use it to pay your bills and not worry about rehab costs.
6. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Most people do not think about their health insurance when they want to start rehab. However, most providers will cover some or all of the costs of rehab since it is considered an essential medical service. Speak to the rehab center you want to attend, and they can assist you in determining how much your insurance will pay for your rehab.
7. Borrow Against Your Retirement
Most employer-sponsored retirement plans allow employees to borrow against their retirement contributions in certain situations, like covering medical bills and related expenses. So, you could possibly get the money to cover your bills and pay for rehab.
8. Sell Stocks or Other Items
If you have stocks, bonds, or other items of value, you could sell those and use that money to be financially secure while in rehab.
9. Can I Keep My Job While in Rehab?
You can typically keep your job while in rehab. However, you will need to let your employer know you intend to take a leave from work, usually using the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows you to take up to 12 unpaid weeks off work and still retain your job. You could lose your job if you do not request the time off and get approval.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also have provisions that allow you to keep your job while in rehab. The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on disability or a perceived disability, which could include drug addiction or alcoholism.
Similarly, Title VII protects against illegal discrimination, such as race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It also requires companies to provide reasonable work accommodations for those with disabilities if necessary. Additionally, some states have enacted their own laws that extend these protections and further protect employees from being terminated solely for entering into rehab programs.
Start a Drug-Free Life in Orange County, CA
IMS and JCAHO-accredited Pacific Sands Recovery Center in Orange County, California, understand the financial concerns when starting rehab. We can lend our expertise and assistance by providing resources and referrals to financial programs that can help ensure you have the finances needed to pay your bills while in rehab and starting a drug-free life. We also accept most major health insurance plans.
For more information, contact us today.
