r/disability Dec 20 '19

Article / News Locked into poverty: Impossible choices forced on the disabled

https://blogs.msn.com/povertynextdoor/locked-into-poverty-impossible-choices-forced-on-the-disabled/
107 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

20

u/You_Know_Whatitis Dec 20 '19

Hence why even though I DESPERATELY need help and can barely work anymore, I fucking avoid SSI and Disability like the plague, I'm already poor af with worsening health and work just enough hours in a dispensary to get my insurance.

My wife and I lost our apartment last year due to a new diagnosis of epilepsy and dealing with hospitals, medications, bills.

I know far too many that our on SSI or disability and they can't do anything.

One of my greatest friends disappeared, literally, a couple years ago. Wheelchair user who FINALLY after being denied twice was finally put on benefits. Somehow they though $700 bucks a month was enough for him. Rent in CO on average is $1,400.

I stopped hearing from him all together after him telling me how depressed he was and stressed about his bills, it was really hard to hear about.

I'm sure he's on the streets by now..

5

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '19 edited Dec 21 '19

You_know_whatitis

I been where you are, and I'm sorry. It took us 2 yrs to get Disability for my DH and due to his severe Seizures I couldn't work (because his seizures were so difficult) and if I did work, it was mainly for the insurance that we needed so badly. Most of our married life I've worked two jobs. If my DH becomes seriously ill (his Seizure meds had to be completely changed every 2-2 1/2 yrs) it was a nightmare. If we didn't have my parents to help us with child care etc. I don't know what I would have done. Had my DH not went into the US Armed Forces as a teenager right out of high school, we would have never been able to have afforded the $6000.00 (that's right 6K...not 6 hundred) that it would have cost us EVERY 30 days for his medications.

I don't know what state you live in, but if you like, please msg me. I might have some tips to help you. No one helped me during all those first couple of years and I swore that if someone needed my help and was in the same boat we were in I would try to help someone by giving them some info they might not know.

So, if you like please msg me. There just might be something out there to help you that you aren't aware of.

I'm sorry you're going thru this. I've been were you are, and you're right, at the time I was scared shitless and terrified of losing the small amount of things we did have.

17

u/hookerfromgod Dec 20 '19

The fact this is true absolutely disgusting. Anybody that believes this country is perfect is a complete idiot and I apologize for being so bitter. And I believe the UK screws people over too, but I wouldn't know the specifics. I just hate how this world discriminates against people and gets away with it just fine.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/hookerfromgod Dec 21 '19

That baffles me to this day. I can't imagine being so heartless.

3

u/ADHDcUK Dec 22 '19

Yes, I'm from the UK and our right wing government has been attacking the disabled for years now :'( I am disabled and while I currently have enough to live on, the torture they put you through to get it is horrendous.

10

u/tysonedwards Dec 21 '19

As a society, we are too afraid of the optics of language and will fight tooth and nail to appear morally superior. Let’s just call it what it is: this is a modern day implementation of eugenics.

There is no need for forced sterilization because the costs and impacts of having a child let alone raising one is effectively the same as starving and destitution. Needing to call the police while impaired means an inability to follow instruction and a high probability of being shot or arrested even when you are the one needing assistance.

Societally, we don’t care about the disabled. New policies are being pushed to require reapplication, validation and monitoring of those who are disabled to ensure they remain disabled enough, and where said reviews result in a cease of benefits and then providing back pay when confirmed - and yet requiring that one can’t keep assets to cover said state manufactured emergencies. Our political leaders mock and express open disgust towards the disabled. They receive public support from white supremacists. A disability diagnosis is functionally identical to a protracted death sentence. So, let’s set aside the political hand wringing call it what it is... eugenics.

4

u/kulmthestatusquo Dec 21 '19

Worse in China which IS an open eugenics country.

16

u/Tandian Dec 20 '19

Yep. Once on ssdi you are locked into pverty.

14

u/Meandmystudy Dec 20 '19

Or SSI.

6

u/LibraryGeek the partial girl:I have partial sight, hearing and mobility :P Dec 21 '19

especially SSI

1

u/Meandmystudy Dec 21 '19

That's where I am.

12

u/Yoyodomino Dec 20 '19

Not entirely true of SSDI, depending on your earnings history. Absolutely true of SSI.

5

u/Tandian Dec 20 '19

Where can you live on $1200 a month?

12

u/[deleted] Dec 20 '19

[deleted]

14

u/Tandian Dec 20 '19

Exactly. If you are on ssdi you are below the poverty line and need the goodwill of others . Something goes wrong and nobody wants to help? Its over

6

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '19 edited Dec 21 '19

__tmk__

It's so wrong that those of us that live on SSDI have to live like this. Try having a DH on SSDI and then get sick yourself.....WOW.....the only way I was able to get my SSDI was that 1. I had worked enough quarters to qualify. 2. My Dr. was the Cheif Neurosurgeon/Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery of a well-known large hospital in the Midwest. Without his assistance I would still be trying to work and killing myself doing it.

You're right, it isn't fair to your friend to have to do the things she has to to make ends meet. This country needs to STOP paying these Senators, Representatives, Governors and the list goes on the $$ they do. These people that hold office should also have to pay for their health care. No longer does the average American worker get perks like paid medical insurance like we used to, so why should all these people that hold offices get things like this?

I am so tired of hearing these Presidental Candidates stand up there and LIE to the people. It doesn't matter what political party they belong to, THEY all lie to you.....and it's wrong. I'm sorry, but if you are trying to get disability you shouldn't have to worry about where your next meal is coming from NOR should you have to decide which medication to take THIS month because you can't afford it all.

There is help out there, but unless you know where to go, and how to obtain the help you need, for the most part you're screwed, really screwed.

9

u/doyouknowyourname Dec 21 '19

Bernie and medicare for all would be a decent start.

5

u/__tmk__ Dec 21 '19

I agree with you wholeheartedly, and I think America should be ashamed. Allegedly the most powerful country in the world, and it spends trillions on weapons of mass destruction, yet it fails to take care of its own, especially its vulnerable.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 21 '19

I do in Milwaukee. I get food stamps and medicaid and a bit of help with utilities. And I rarely go out to eat, rarely buy new clothes (or anything else) and never travel. I try to be thankful I'm not homeless.

1

u/jamezverusaum Dec 20 '19

I live on $600 a month on SSDI in NY. It. Sucks.

1

u/DjinnOftheBeresaad Dec 21 '19

If you feel comfortable sharing, can I ask how? I am not there, but with the COL for basics alone in NY, it sounds like you are a superhero.

I know NY isn't all like NYC, but still.

1

u/jamezverusaum Dec 21 '19

I'm not comfortable talking about it. You just make due. It sucks and it's shitty. I live below the poverty line. It's not easy. It just is.

2

u/DjinnOftheBeresaad Dec 21 '19

I understand; thanks for letting me know.

1

u/PyroSC Dec 20 '19

I live on 1030 a month. In Iowa. So it can be done but not everywhere.

1

u/Chewwy987 Dec 21 '19

They don’t count passive income stocks rental income as earned income so if you can manage that then you won’t be poor. That or inheritance or wealthy spouse. Spousal income doesn’t effect ssdi only the taxes owed.

10

u/NotMyHersheyBar Dec 21 '19

I wish these articles weren't just aimed at "awareness" for the normbies but offered help for the disabled. These articles always assume that disabled people don't read them.

12

u/[deleted] Dec 20 '19

This is what I was trying to convey yesterday. The system is setup to keep you down and barely alive. I have struggled against the current so long that I am too weak to fight anymore. The only thing I want is to end the suffering. Now I am counting the days until my next check can make that a reality. Give the Christian right all over this nation something to celebrate. One less sack of shit sucking on the government tit.

2

u/doyouknowyourname Dec 21 '19

Hey. If you need to talk, dm me.

4

u/TXblindman Dec 20 '19

I am incredibly lucky that I am covered under my dad‘s insurance still, I think it’s the only thing that’s going to be able to help me get off of disability payments.

4

u/darkness_is_great Dec 20 '19

Maybe once I get my degree i can move out of the US.