Community Chat

[stazgirl]

On 9/25/2014 ckr1147 said:

On 9/25/2014 Colonel Meow said:

ckr1147 - Do you know why the mom chose to retire early? Surely she must have had some idea that she couldn't afford to do so? Even working a minimum wage job, her net income would still exceed what she is currently collecting from SS (if it was full time work).

We don't really know - all we know is that she was fired (from a job at a fast food place she had worked at for 15 years - as is typical with her, no one knows the entire truth - just what she chooses to share "her drawer was short""....

I feel like I come across as very judgmental, and maybe I am, but I am almost 67 and work two consulting jobs so DH and I can live comfortably - I know I am fortunate in many ways...but I also work very hard and am not about to'"RETIRE" on my SS, which is quite a bit more than $750/month....I also understand what it is like to have no job and have to ask for help - people helped me when I was unemployed and could not pay rent/etc. - that is not the issue - the issue is when does someone help themselves???

SAD, but I think people learn to help themselves when others become tired of helping someone with a "poor pity me" atitude. HELPING is one thing, but continuing to tire yourself out by trying to "HELP" someone who obviously is not interested in helping themself is not fair to you. Like I said, NO ONE NEEDS a 120.00 cable bill. Bill money right there. If they are not willing to give up a luxury, then why should they expect anyone to help them cover their bills?.

[terrier3]

On 9/25/2014 ROMARY said:

All in all, O/P, I think your 'best bet' is to walk into one of the suggested gov. and/or community services buildings, and just ask what's available, and whether or not your friends/family are eligible. I'm sure they have guidelines and/or pamphlets, etc. Perhaps even a counselor can direct you to someone who will explain all of the options available. Perhaps social services dept. will go and 'take a look', pay them an unscheduled visit. They do around here, when a person in the community alerts them about a family/person who might be in need. ....... 'Hey, it's worth a try'. ...... Whatever you do, don't call. Just walk in, ask questions, look very concerned, get some answers/suggestions. 'You'll never know, until you try'............In person is always best. Not on a Friday, but on a day and time that would be less busy in your area. In fact, ask around in that bldg. which days and times would be less busy.

Romary - That may sound good in theory, but in reality, walking in and asking for help doesn't work. I used to be a social worker in poor communities - and I assisted a lot of people work through the maze of assistance.

First of all, one of the 3 people in this household is collecting SS. The other works temp jobs and makes about $1,000/mo. take home (minimum wage). The 3rd is a child.

Between the 3, they have slightly over $20,000 a year coming in and are already receiving SNAP benefits. These are the kind of families that fall through the cracks in society - they don't have enough money coming in to live without financial insecurity, but they have too much coming in for much help in FLA.
The adults don't have enough coming in to get ACA insurance, but FLA didn't expand Medicaid benefits to single adults - so they are stuck...the best they can do is investigate free clinics. Medical care is necessary, IMO, since the mom is overweight and has poor teeth and poor hygiene - common signs of depression. The son can't work construction anymore due to an injury - and since he was being paid under the table - he can't get any disability aid either. Since he doesn't appear to have much education, he needs medical care to evaluate his situation & see if his physical condition can be improved. Even fast food jobs require workers to be able to lift 50 pounds.... being a stock boy at a grocery store is even more strenuous.

Perhaps a church organization can help them...even if they aren't regular churchgoers. A lot of states with poor safety nets say that their local churches provide help for people. I doubt they are entitled to anything beyond SNAP or HEAP from the state.

[terrier3]

On 9/25/2014 minkbunny said:

It is not true that one's Social Security benefit amount cannot be increased by working after drawing. I know, I have been drawing (and working) for almost four years. Each year I get a letter telling me how much more benefit I will receive due to the recalculation.

Also, after one reaches their full retirement age, there is no limit on the earnings one can have.

From the S. S. website.

You can work while you receive Social Security retirement (or survivors) benefits. When you do, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future.

Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. We pay the increase retroactive to January the year after you earned the money.

When you reach full retirement age:

• Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.

Minkbunny - It sounds to me that this woman would be working a minimum wage job - probably p/t since so many are just p/t.

I really doubt that would increase her benefits very much, especially since she will have to be "giving back" SS money too.

Thanks for correcting me though!

[stazgirl]

On 9/26/2014 terrier3 said:

On 9/25/2014 ROMARY said:

All in all, O/P, I think your 'best bet' is to walk into one of the suggested gov. and/or community services buildings, and just ask what's available, and whether or not your friends/family are eligible. I'm sure they have guidelines and/or pamphlets, etc. Perhaps even a counselor can direct you to someone who will explain all of the options available. Perhaps social services dept. will go and 'take a look', pay them an unscheduled visit. They do around here, when a person in the community alerts them about a family/person who might be in need. ....... 'Hey, it's worth a try'. ...... Whatever you do, don't call. Just walk in, ask questions, look very concerned, get some answers/suggestions. 'You'll never know, until you try'............In person is always best. Not on a Friday, but on a day and time that would be less busy in your area. In fact, ask around in that bldg. which days and times would be less busy.

Romary - That may sound good in theory, but in reality, walking in and asking for help doesn't work. I used to be a social worker in poor communities - and I assisted a lot of people work through the maze of assistance.

First of all, one of the 3 people in this household is collecting SS. The other works temp jobs and makes about $1,000/mo. take home (minimum wage). The 3rd is a child.

Between the 3, they have slightly over $20,000 a year coming in and are already receiving SNAP benefits. These are the kind of families that fall through the cracks in society - they don't have enough money coming in to live without financial insecurity, but they have too much coming in for much help in FLA.
The adults don't have enough coming in to get ACA insurance, but FLA didn't expand Medicaid benefits to single adults - so they are stuck...the best they can do is investigate free clinics. Medical care is necessary, IMO, since the mom is overweight and has poor teeth and poor hygiene - common signs of depression. The son can't work construction anymore due to an injury - and since he was being paid under the table - he can't get any disability aid either. Since he doesn't appear to have much education, he needs medical care to evaluate his situation & see if his physical condition can be improved. Even fast food jobs require workers to be able to lift 50 pounds.... being a stock boy at a grocery store is even more strenuous.

Perhaps a church organization can help them...even if they aren't regular churchgoers. A lot of states with poor safety nets say that their local churches provide help for people. I doubt they are entitled to anything beyond SNAP or HEAP from the state.

Why doesn"t the son file for SSD (social security disability) If he was TRULY injured (doesn't matter how) and can not work he will qualify. My co workers son in law was injured doing yard work and truly can not work. he filed for disability and recieved it. If this young man of 30 can work under the table still, he can get a REAL job and support his child and stop begging his friends and family for help. Help the people who TRULY CAN NOT work, not those trying to cheat the system. And use the people who care about him. JMO

[Sunnyfield]

Again - thank you to all for suggestions and information.

Col Meow - these are DH's former wife, youngest son with her, and grandson - it is because of the grandson DH will not totally walk away -

Oh and she does not own a home - they rent...she says the cheapest place she could find, but we don't know the area and don't live close by, so have no idea if that is correct or how hard she tried.

We thought that DH's other two sons who live close by would have a sit down with the ex and the brother but that hasn't happened - and DH cannot have an adult conversation with his youngest, who just gets angry and tells DH to "get out of his business" - so whenever there is an issue in the household, "Mommy" calls DH - son calls only on Fathers Day and DH"s birthday...

the son's injury was several years ago - fell off a roof and broke is leg - I don't think it ever healed properly and he never went to any physical therapy - he has a rod in it and it constantly gives him trouble (apparently)...not sure what his working situation was then - but I thought you had to have worked a certain number of quarters in the p ast couple of years and have paid into Social Security in order to get SSD benefits?

We will be talking with ex-wife tomorrow and I want to have some positive ideas for her.

[Sunnyfield]

Again - thank you to all for suggestions and information.

Col Meow - these are DH's former wife, youngest son with her, and grandson - it is because of the grandson DH will not totally walk away -

Oh and she does not own a home - they rent...she says the cheapest place she could find, but we don't know the area and don't live close by, so have no idea if that is correct or how hard she tried.

We thought that DH's other two sons who live close by would have a sit down with the ex and the brother but that hasn't happened - and DH cannot have an adult conversation with his youngest, who just gets angry and tells DH to "get out of his business" - so whenever there is an issue in the household, "Mommy" calls DH - son calls only on Fathers Day and DH"s birthday...

the son's injury was several years ago - fell off a roof and broke is leg - I don't think it ever healed properly and he never went to any physical therapy - he has a rod in it and it constantly gives him trouble (apparently)...not sure what his working situation was then - but I thought you had to have worked a certain number of quarters in the p ast couple of years and have paid into Social Security in order to get SSD benefits?

We will be talking with ex-wife tomorrow and I want to have some positive ideas for her.

[Lucky Charm]

Any way you can take in the grandson? His son needs to help himself. Same for the exwife. But don't let a child live on a sinking ship. If you can....

[Sunnyfield]

We would in a heartbeat, but we live on the other side of the country - besides that, I don't think DH's son would allow it and the child's mother would have to give permission as well

[ROMARY]

terrier3: Thanks for the info. Still, I'd give it a try before I personally hand over my money. I'm guessing that different areas have different requirements. Maybe in a less expensive area, there isn't any need for help. It all depends on the cost of rents, IMO. A two bedroom very old home might be attainable somewhere else. Other areas, that home would be at least 3K a month. One bdrm. apts. were running around $1,700 last year; probably much more now. When the housing bubble popped/happened, lots of folks in our neighborhood had to move (foreclosures because of loss of a job in the family) several blocks away to subsidized housing/condos,etc. We still keep in touch, and many are still there. Anyway, help was immediate. From their foreclosed houses to their new places. No waiting at all. So, as I think about it, it really depends on the area.

[ROMARY]

Oh, I just read that OP lives clear across the country. I wouldn't be helping out my ex, but would possibly send actual items to my bio son. Clothes, etc. And grocery gift cards, if they aren't receiving food stamps (or whatever it's called). Anyway, hopefully OP has plenty of money to fund the ex, etc. I wouldn't financially 'drag myself down' to their financial level. Seems to me that there are community services that would help out. Maybe private organizations. Sometimes people just don't bother to find out, and would rather ask their relatives for the money. Just a thought.