So I don't work. D and S let me live in their house free of charge because I take care of the Kiddo so that they can both work. D pays my CC and buys me food because he loves me or something gross like that. But I don't have anything that could be called an income, and as a result I have no insurance. I can't even afford the cheapest ACA plan I'm eligible for - it's $200/mo. (This may change during the next signup, I was looking due to a Special Enrollment thing.) From what I have read, I technically qualify for disability in GA, under the anxiety disorders. My last job ended rather abruptly due to them. The problem is, I haven't been to the doctor for any of it. None of the issues that prevent me from functioning in a standard work environment have been documented by a medical professional. (I am being vague about what those issues are because they are better suited for ITA.) I cannot afford to go to a doctor to get the necessary paperwork, as I imagine it'd take more than one appointment. (There's also a matter of time/transportation, as we only have one vehicle and D and S are very rarely home during the day.) So the issue in a nutshell is that I can't work because of brain things that I can't get treated because I don't have insurance because I don't work, and I can't get the financials I need to get the brain things treated because I don't have insurance because I can't work because of brain things. I have no idea where to even start looking for resources on how to deal with/fix this. Are there...free clinics, I guess? Or low-cost, at least? Where does one find these things? Is there something else I should be looking at besides disability? I just want new glasses and a reliable diagnosis, okay, is that so much to ask.
There are free clinics and low-cost clinics, at least in some parts of the US. I know there's one where I live -- I went there often before Iowa stepped up and offered me Obamacare. Google "free clinics" and the name of your town or county and see what pops up? This site might help too. Also be advised: free clinics vary in quality. Most of the time, you'll be meeting with harried interns and overworked volunteer doctors, and sometimes they be kinda brusque. You'll also have to wait for a long time. If you can, bring someone with you to help with your anxiety, and if a place seems shady, trust your instincts and leave.
If you've filed your taxes, you should be eligible for a considerable federal subsidy: I'm in Wisconsin, which also didn't adopt the Medicaid expansion, and my health insurance is billed as $189 a month and I pay $35. Which is still income you don't have, but mine costs as much as it does because I work. Free clinics are an excellent bet, and http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ could also help with that. There are also state and local agencies, generally, that are there to help navigate the process. They are variably helpful, but someone should at least be able to get you the correct steps to proceed.
Be warned that a lot free clinics will make you jump through a lot of hoops and can be really stressful. Bringing along support/backup would be strongly recommended.
Unfortunately I seem to live in a wasteland as far as mental health places go, free or otherwise. I'm beginning to think the November ACA signup is still my best bet. (With plan B being "vote for Bernie Sanders and pray".) Maybe this'll be less frustrating when I'm not also being attacked by a toddler while trying to do Important Boring Grownup Things.
blerp, I meant to come back here to thank people for advice and then...didn't. So thank you, people who tossed their two cents in, I really do appreciate it.
