How Do I Pay My Bills While In Rehab?
Managing bills while undergoing treatment for addiction can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take to ensure your financial obligations are met during your time away.
Communication is key. Notify relevant parties ahead of time about your situation, and don’t hesitate to ask for help exploring available resources.
Setting Up Auto Pay
Setting up automatic payments for your regular bills is a practical way to manage your financial obligations while giving you peace of mind during your rehabilitation.
Many banks and service providers offer user-friendly online bill pay for essentials like rent, utilities, and insurance, allowing you to schedule payments in advance.
Through these automated systems, you can customize your payment schedule, creating a hassle-free method to maintain your finances while you focus on your recovery.
Additionally, the electronic record-keeping associated with automatic payments will give you a convenient way to track your transactions and maintain more organized financial records.
Setting up automatic payments will not only save you time, but it will also eliminate the risk of forgetting due dates or facing late payment fees.
Create A Budget
When setting up auto pay, develop a budget that outlines your monthly expenses and income. This can help you identify essential bills, prioritize payments, and avoid overdraft fees.
You may want to consider cutting out unnecessary expenses during your time away to ease financial strain. This may include things like streaming services, news subscriptions, and paid podcasts.
Insurance Coverage
In addition to monthly bills, consider setting up auto pay to cover your monthly or annual health insurance costs to insure there is no lapse in coverage while you’re in treatment.
This is especially important if you plan on using your health insurance to cover the cost of your inpatient rehabilitation, and if treatment falls over the start of a new year.
Deferred Payments
For certain bills, such as student loans or credit cards, contact the respective lenders and inquire about the possibility of deferring payments during your time away.
Some creditors may offer temporary relief options.
Trusting A Friend Or Family Member
If possible, appoint a friend, family member, or award a temporary power of attorney to a trusted person to manage your finances in your absence.
This person can ensure that bills are paid on time and handle any financial matters that may arise while you are undergoing treatment.
Set Aside An Emergency Fund
If you have an emergency fund, instruct your trusted friend or family member to use it to cover unexpected expenses that may arise during your rehabilitation.
This is a good way to create a financial safety net.
Keep Important Documents Secure
Ensure that important financial documents such as bills, bank statements, and contact information for creditors are organized and stored securely.
This will help your trusted family member or friend manage your financial responsibilities more efficiently.
Arranging A Set Time To Pay Your Bills During Rehabilitation
If other options don’t work for you, you can arrange to pay your bills during rehabilitation by bringing a laptop or smart phone and using it during supervised time.
All wi-fi capable electronics, including laptops and cellphones, are placed in a secure location at intake.
To use these items, you will have to arrange a time where staff is available to supervise you. For your privacy and safety, you may want to save all your passwords ahead of time.
If your device is able to scan your fingerprint, then requiring a biometric scan to autofill your login information can add an additional level of security.
Learn More About Preparing For Treatment At Bedrock
If you or a loved one is experiencing substance abuse and would like to learn more about preparing for treatment, Bedrock Recovery Center can help. Contact our specialists today.
