Among Friends

[missy1]

Sorry to read that update. I hope you are feeling better.  Can you possibly rent a room, instead of an apartment? Here there's a long wait for hud/section 8. 

Did the landlord legally evict you, or you left before?  Did you get any help to move any items to storage? 

You should qualify for food stamps with that income.

[kdgn]

Check out HUD subsidized apartments in your area. They aren't advertised as such but they are out there and the rent is sliding scale: based on your monthly income. Some are senior apartments where one must be a certain age-but not all of them have age restrictions. 

I'm not sure what state you live in but the Department of Social Services should have a listing of all available apartments. I do understand the type of Medicaid you're on: it's called short-term but there really is no limit as to how long you're on it. I do believe with your income level that you would qualify for full coverage but I'm not positive. Each state seems to have their own income limits. 

[feline groovy]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

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@feline groovy wrote:

@Trinity11 wrote:

Sorry to read of your troubles and hope that a solution can be found quickly.

Why didn't the hospital social worker make sure that you had some kind of help before releasing you from such a long stay at the hospital? If you are on Medicaid, the hospital has administrative services they could put you in touch with that could help you find a new home based on your prior health history. I feel like you are slipping through the cracks and need someone to advocate for you. Won't Social Services assist you in finding a new home and address your needs?

If you are researching the system, there are many organizations that could help you with all of this.... It is very sad to read that you seem to be alone in all of this.

Thanks for the kind words, Trin, plus good thoughts, tips, and strong support. 8)

But please don't feel bad; there are tons of other SSD recipients from ages 18 through 59 that also deal with this stuff.

Plus those whose only income and asset is regular SS.

I've been solo for quite a while now; 20 years, actually.

Only child, plus my stepfather passed ten years ago and my stepsistasand I kinda grew apart.  It happens to many people, and it's really no big deal.

Besides, I've got a a pretty-decent relationship with God, my parents 'upstairs', my guardian angel, and my spirit guide.  ;-)

'My' med center social worker was sweet (and very cute), and helped as much as he could.

Not everything was available to me at the time, and some weren't affordable enough.

But my kind of extended stay there worked out well as I not only neede more tests/procedures done, but also needed my April SSD benefit to book this temporary pad, and also pay my phone/DSL Internet bill and my electric bill LOL.

Don't want any problems with them with reinstating my services at my new home.  ;-)

The only thing - but a very crucial one - that Medicaid pays is my Medicare drug premium every month, and that thankfully saves me about $100.

It's not 'straight' Medicaid, but rather a low-income assistance thingy..

I really don't want to hit too close to my budget limit, as I stillhope that the rest of this year is for adopting another kitty companion (been 3 years since my last ), plus I've been wanting to start my own little at-home creative business to supplement my SSD 'income'.

It's allowable by the SSA up til a certain amount each month.

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If you are living in New Jersey, the cost of living is very high, so I can see how difficult it must be to live on the disability alone. Hopefully, you will receive some kind of stipend from the state for affordable housing.

As far as the kitty, just remember how costly vet bills and food for the kitty will be.  Hopefully, in time, you will be able to have a pet and it is a good goal for you.

I wish you all the blessings for a much easier time of it. You've been through so much and life can certainly be unfair.

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I live near the east coast/Mid-Atlantic area, and yep, there's been either no - or only a tiny - COLA amount since 2008 to keep up with one's bills.

Be assured that the cat rescue would only happen if I could provide the best life for her/him that I could afford.

Although its been pointed out to me that just about any loving forever home outside of a shelter's cage/other would be better for my future feline.

I've been extra blessed to have been a pet parent for most of my life so far, and it's been hard living in a kind of isolation without another furry living being.

But hopefully it will be destined for 2016, if not 2017.

I really appreciate your positive sentiments, Trin; I've previously been told that I'm resourceful and a survivor.

Although, like any human being, I have lots of faults, but some mottos I'm fond of are:

'There's always more than meets the eyes.'

'There, but for the grace of God, go alll of us.'

"I know that God won't give me anything I can't handle; I just wish he wouldn't trust me so much." (Mother Teresa).

8-)

[CatsyCline]

will you have medical bills to pay for your hospital stay?   i'm sorry you were ill on top of everthing else!

from what i recall landlords cannot throw out the contents of a tenants home but   there may be a storage fee and/or a finite storage window. i agree you should get a food EBT card and if you don't already have it, an SSI beneft.  i truly hope all is  sorted out !  and you have a new home soon

[feline groovy]

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@missy1 wrote:

Sorry to read that update. I hope you are feeling better.  Can you possibly rent a room, instead of an apartment? Here there's a long wait for hud/section 8. 

Did the landlord legally evict you, or you left before?  Did you get any help to move any items to storage? 

You should qualify for food stamps with that income.

Thank you.

A room would have to come with a private bathroom for my health stuff, and that's a rare combo.

But it's an option if one is available the same time I am. 

Yep; housing vouchers for HUD/Section 8 have waiting lists that are years-long in most states across the U.S.. And sometimes there are waiting lists to get on the waiting list, LOL.

Yep, that change of groovy pad was on the up and up, and I always try to own up to any stupid decisions that I've made at whatever time.

I actually had been trying to pay off a balance (with daily late fees) that accrued when my SSD 'fell out' of the SSA's computer system for about 8 months, but it eventually became too large.

This kind of wacky stuff happens all the time with our government, and to our incredible veterans and railroad workers as well.

But then computer glitches are an increasing thing, ya know.  

Don't remember every thing in storage, and of course, the sentimental stuff is irreplaceable.

But the rest are just things, and they are.

Yep, I thankfully do qualify for a small amount of a SNAP benefit each month, 

The acronym for the federal 'Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program' has been in use for years, but some people aren't aware of it.

It is indeed supplemental, and not meant to cover one's entire grocery list.  

It's your bills/debt-to-income ration that determines the monthly amount, but I've read that there are ongoing cutbacks in it and Medicaid, depending on each state.

That's very unfortunate for all recipients, although women and children (the WIC program) and seniors/elderly persons usually get additional help, thankfully.

[missy1]

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@ashleigh dupray wrote:

will you have medical bills to pay for your hospital stay?   i'm sorry you were ill on top of everthing else!

from what i recall landlords cannot throw out the contents of a tenants home but   there may be a storage fee and/or a finite storage window. i agree you should get a food EBT card and if you don't already have it, an SSI beneft.  i truly hope all is  sorted out !  and you have a new home soon

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If FG wasn't legally evicted, she could of stayed there for a few months without paying. (save money) Many people leave on their own, because they don't want an eviction on their record to rent another place. If she wasn't legally evicted, the landlord can't get rid of her things just yet.

[feline groovy]

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@kdgn wrote:

Check out HUD subsidized apartments in your area. They aren't advertised as such but they are out there and the rent is sliding scale: based on your monthly income. Some are senior apartments where one must be a certain age-but not all of them have age restrictions. 

I'm not sure what state you live in but the Department of Social Services should have a listing of all available apartments. I do understand the type of Medicaid you're on: it's called short-term but there really is no limit as to how long you're on it. I do believe with your income level that you would qualify for full coverage but I'm not positive. Each state seems to have their own income limits. 

Thanks for the tip, and I have been. 

Yep; some are 55 or 60 and over as a requirement.

I'll double-check with the DSS; thank you.

Many people on SS or SSD don't qualify for full Medicaid if their particular benefit amount is "too much".  ;-)

I don't as well, but that monthly Medicare drug plan premium that's paid is awesome and very much appreciated. 8)

[feline groovy]

I hope that this thread is also educational, and could help other posters - or those that they know - who aren't sure what to do in certain situations/life challenges.

The "3 E's" are important to me; educating, encouraging, and empowering.

I hope that many of you also try to live this as much as possible.  8)

[LilacTree]

I was so happy to see your post today, JSS.  You are so upbeat about a such a desperate situation . . . that evokes such admiration in me because I don't know if I could do that.  I am sending you my best vibes again today.  I hope you can find a decent apartment soon and get your belongings back.  Please contact Legal Aid if your landlord has disposed of or sold your possessions.  You can also sue in Small Claims Court without an attorney. 

What you are enduring is heartbreaking.  Your friend, JSS.