On 9/25/2014 terrier3 said: On 9/25/2014 ckr1147 said: Sorry one more thing...re: the mom working - I understand about the SS benefits being reduced until full retirement age, but our though was that she would be contributing more to SS and would eventually wind up getting more $$$ when she reaches full retirement, which would help in the long run.
That isn't how it works.
When you start collecting at 62, that is the amount you will be receiving every month for the rest of your life. Even if she made $200,000 a year at another job (highly unlikely, I know!), it doesn't matter. She will continue to collect what she opted to take at 62.
Suggestions on how to "cut bills" on $1700 a month (in a GOOD month) are laughable. That's just about as low as you can go. Too bad FLA doesn't provide Medicaid for single people - I think that some counseling, maybe even some anti-depressants, might help her a lot. It's scary when you are expected to survive on $750 a month for the rest of your life... I would be depressed too!!!!
Does the child's dad have a GED? What was the nature of his disability? What does he do where he makes $250 in a good 40 hour week? That's about $6 an hour - NOT even minimum wage work.
Until mom becomes 65 and can get Medicare, she's kind of out of luck and FLA won't help.
The best bet is to concentrate on the son and hope he can get REAL work (with benefits, unemployment coverage, etc.) It's tough when someone "works under the table." They have no recourse if they are injured, no unemployment insurance, not even points towards SS when they are ready to retire. "Under the table" helps no one except the unscrupulous employers who take advantage of poor people who are desperate for work.
I believe the child MIGHT be eligible for Medicaid...but again, FLA is one of the stingiest states when it comes to even helping children. Medicaid would also cover dental up to age 16.
I think that the grandson does get Medicaid, or some kind of insurance.
So agree with you re: working "under the table"; however this "man" (NOT disabled, by the way) has many emotional issues which have always affected his ability to work (anger management not the least of them - feeling like all the problems are "someone elses fault is the main problem)
Any way - he does general labor and I have no idea what $250/week is in terms of hours, just that is what his mother says he brings home "in a good week".
thanks for the correction re: the SS - however, as I understand it, even tho' she opted to collect early, she could still work and collect her benefit, but is penalized $2 for every $1 she earns above a preset amount (around $15K, I think???)
I "get" that cutting bills is "laughable" (although $120/month for cable seems like a luxury to me) - but it seems like something could be done..
We will have to try to talk with her about medical - if medical and dental care would help her, we should be willing to give $$$ toward that...but when we see people not trying to help themselves, it is frustrating.
I am sure she is scared/depressed; I would be too - but sitting around and crying doesn't help the situation.
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