I realize that times are tough for a lot of people, but I wonder how many people could live as a person with a disability. For example in MD the income from SSI is Just over $700, that has to pay for housing, utilities and food. For example how many people could buy a week worth of food on a budget of $60?
Back in my single day I would receive about $640. a month, I paid $110 for rent, $140 for food a month plus electric and phone/internet. Some how I always had a $100 to play with each month.
Most people would say go get a job, but do they know that it would only hurt a disabled person. If I, or another person would get another source of income that only defeat the objective. The more income one makes, service would decrease, or even be cut off. That would include insurance and housing cost would go up. Talk about a dog chancing his tail.
I've been on disability for about 10 years for being completely emotionally confucted. I've been fired from just about every job I've had, being unable to hold up and act appropriately in the slightest of stressful situation. I have problems with major depression and overwhelming anxiety (which - for some reason, is getting worse the older I get) and I was approved for medicare around 2001. I was very ambivalent about it; "Yeah, I can take a mental health break from life and work on myself" vs "Great, I am officially incapable of being a useful member of society.
ReplyDeleteToday, I have a small part-time business to supplement my income of yes, $700/month. What's my rent? $800. !? Why am I s'posed to live in section 8 housing just because I'm on disability?
My MEDS are between $300-$400 a month - and that's with the help of the government! Here's where the f'd up catch 22 comes in: I cannot advertise for my little business with an official website or with Groupon bc I'm not allowed to have a an official business on disability, so it's under the table just like dog walking or babysitting. But I'm 37, and would like to do more. I am barely able to make ends meet; working this other job in addition to what I get from Medicare - it's just not enough! (And if I'm found out to have made more than I'm allowed to -which I'm not- I could end up needing to repay every penny they've given me over the past decade and I could go to jail. Really? Wow. Thanks for the help and concern for the emotionally & mentally ill, Gov.)
So, some good news: I think I've finally found the right combination of anti-depressants, anti-anxieties and mood stabilizers that I could say, "Thanks, Disability, but I don't need you anymore. I'd like to part ways with you and start a REAL business now. The problem? I CANNOT get healthy insurance ANYWHERE if not from ssi now. Like I mentioned before: my meds are about $400 a month and that's the copay! If I stay with Medicare, I can't work enough to support myself, and w/o it, I may make a decent a money but ALL of it will go to my meds, my shrink and therapy.
Thanks GAWD 12 step meetings are free!!
Jodiah
How would getting another source of income defeat the objective? (unless your objective is to get as much free money from the government as possible) Isn't the objective to live as independently and, dare I say, normal as possible? Or are you just picking and chosing when to use your disability to your advantage and when to deny it. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about people who are not capable of working. I'm talking about people who are very able to work. Shouldn't they be encouraged to live life to the fullest and experience as much as possible?
ReplyDelete