“My ex emancipated my son, so I no longer receive child support (it was $300.00/week) and he is no longer on his father’s health insurance plan (our son has a pre-existing condition and was supposed to have surgery soon). I am also on disability and not able to work. I recently found out that the Medicare I was expecting to go into effect in July is not available to me because I make too much money, according to their guidelines. As a result I am forced to rely on credit cards so that my son and I have health insurance. I have type 1 diabetes and my son also takes medication on a daily basis. I literally cannot afford to live. My son goes to college fulltime and works 2 days a week. Am I eligible for an increase in circumstances based on the loss of child support and the fact that I cannot work?”

First, to be clear, your son had to be involved in order for him to become emancipated; it isn’t something which a parent can do to a child. The child has to request it of the court.

Finally, you should contact your local Medicare office to explain to them that you no longer are receiving the $300.00 per month in child support, and ask them what you need to do to become eligible for Medicare.