In June of 2023, Grateful and her spouse lost their Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) because they are check signers for the ministry they work for. The accounts in question are not in the name of Grateful and her spouse, but the money in the accounts were counted against them simply because The Department of Human Services stated that she and her spouse had access to these accounts. 

Grateful and her spouse are ministers in Arkansas, and in charge of one of twenty centers for a national ministry. The ministry provides a residential discipleship program, with a high success rate, for adults who struggle with drug addiction and/or emotional problems. The residents are part of an eight-to-ten-month program and may have a later option to be trained as staff. The Department of Human Services (DHS) stated that Grateful and her spouse had access to the accounts for personal use. However, the accounts are used strictly for the benefit of the facility's residents, the program's running, and upkeep of grounds and maintenance. Since Grateful and her spouse are the primary staffers, they are the designated check signers, as it is with most ministries. 

Losing their QMB could not have come at a worse time. During the time they lost their benefits, Grateful’s spouse had Emergency Quadruple Bypass Surgery. He required cardiac rehabilitation and medication. This left them with a huge medical bill.  Grateful kept excellent financial records for the accounts and provided this information to DHS along with a letter from the ministry headquarters explaining that the money in this account belongs only to the ministry, was strictly for the use of the ministry and not for the personal use of Grateful and her spouse. This did not persuade DHS.  

Grateful knew there had to be an answer, and as a step of faith, she prayed and was inspired to contact Legal Aid of Arkansas for help with this matter. Thankfully, Legal Aid of Arkansas was able to have their benefits reinstated in February and the outstanding medical bills were paid. 

Grateful spoke of the undue stress that not having Medicaid from June 2023 until February 2024 caused her and her spouse. Eight months of not knowing how you are going to pay for medicine and other medical expenses. It is stressful managing a facility of this type and compounded with worrying about medical bills escalated that stress. The hours are long, and the work is demanding. One can only imagine what it was like for this couple to perform their everyday duties at the facility and to have been worried about medical bills layered on top of this.  One medication that her spouse takes costs more than $100. Their only income is their retirement benefits and an occasional $75 from people who care about them. Yet they continued to provide for the residents of this residential treatment facility and continued to do the work that God called them to do. One cannot help but admire their determination and commitment. 

During our interview, Grateful said there are residents at the facility who were also having problems with Medicaid. People who are fighting an addiction problem certainly do not need to be worried about losing their benefits. It is difficult enough to stay on a path for recovery and to add to that worrying if you will continue to receive medical benefits. 

This couple is guided by faith and their commitment to carry out their calling to assist those in need. For Grateful and her spouse, “Faith is taking the first step even when you do not see the staircase” - Dr. Marin Luther King. Hopefully in the years to come, the staircase will become visible for Grateful and her spouse. 

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