Support Jennifer's Disability Fight

My name is Jennifer Lombardi, I'm a widow since June 6, 2024. When my husband Jonathon passed away, I was suddenly without income of any kind. I am disabled by injury from caregiving since 2011, and chronic conditions I've had all of my adult life, that simply compounded and worsened over time while I cared for my husband, who had a very aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis.

I am not able to work due to chronic pain, and chronic fatigue from several autoimmune conditions and injuries sustained from the logistical labor involved with full time caregiving. This month, I hit the end of my retirement fund that Ihad to cash out to survive, so I couldn't pay all of my bills this month. For the first time in years, my account sits empty. My entire 401K is completely gone, along with any savings i had a well. All of my credit cards are maxed out.

I have filled for disability. My attorney says I have an excellent case for first time approval due to my age and the length of time I've been dealing with all of my conditions. We've completed everything we possibly can for the case, and it's now in final review.

What I am asking at this time is to raise enough funds to get me through only the next couple months until I know if my case is approved or not. The credit card debt will go to the back burner, as I've explained the situation to my creditors. But utilities, mortgage, groceries, and our household emergency repair loans must also be paid on (loans required a lien on our property). My family isn't in a position financially to help me at this time.

It could be another 60+ days before a decision is rendered on my case If we have to appeal, I will have no choice but to sell my home. I am not willing to entertain that idea until I get the final decision on my case. If I do get approved right away, I will receive enough back pay to instantly catch up on everything, and will be able to keep living in my home. If denied, I'll have to sell my house.

I can't use my hands much anymore, and standing and sitting are both difficult, so I spend most of my days trying to find comfortable positions to exist in. Because of neuropathy, I have to limit being on my feet, and having to lay down to try relieving the neuropathy symptoms several times a day.

I am in pain and severe discomfort every day of my life, though intensity changes from day to day. I am very adversely affected by severe weather and barometric pressure changes. Physical therapy has helped some, but not enough to make me anywhere near being fully functional yet, and I can't go back for more therapy until Medicaid approves more visits and there no way to know how long that will take. My physical therapists said it could take years, or I might never get the relief I'm looking for, as it depends on a number of factors.

I did not file this claim lightly. My primary care physician had a very serious talk with me about my conditions after Jonathon passed away. He assured me that he believed it was time to acknowledge reality of my health over all. He'd been asking me for years to consider filing a claim, but we weren't ready to send Jonathon to a nursing home, so I resisted filling a claim for disability. During our consultation he said, "Now that you have only you to focus on, I'm going to ask that we get serious about your own care. If you continue to try working again, my concern is you will, again, let your health fall to the wayside, or reinjure yourself, which will set you back further still."

With Jonathon gone, my doctor was insistent that in reviewing my medical history with me, and considering my conditions have been worsening with no end in sight, he believed it was time to obtain an attorney and finally file a claim. He assured me that he would do whatever he could to help that happen, and whatever my attorney asked for, he would make sure to provide anything he could.

Now that we're at the final review for my case, I just need some help to make it through 60 to 90 days to the final decision for approval or denial. If denied, I will sell my home in order to finance my life through the appeal process, but it will be a LAST RESORT.

Please consider helping me remain in my home by giving any amount to this funding campaign, and please share this so that others might see it and give. Every little bit helps me survive the next few months. I will share how every cent is spent in order to offer transparency. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss donating privately, please reach out through this site to connect.

Thank you.