Reply #63: the poverty of the disabled in the US

[kineneb]

I write from personal knowledge. Hubby is on dialysis, and I am his caregiver. As such, I have no official income, nor could I keep even a part-time job, as he requires frequent medical appointments.

The current system for the disabled drives them into poverty to get medical care and then insures they will stay poor. To qualify for medical care under California's plan for the medically indigent (CMSP), I have a $250 "share-of-cost", which drops our income (SSDI) down to $950/month. Out of this we are supposed to be able to pay our bills, eat and afford the transportation needed to get Hubby to all of his doctors; one of which is 50 miles away (a 75 min. drive through the hills). This, as mentioned, assumes nothing breaks or needs replacing, and that clothing that fits can be found free or at thrift stores. The last time the allotment for living was adjusted was in 1997. So we are expected to live on almost nothing.

So I don't want anyone telling me how wonderful the system is...it sucks. Once you are in the System, yes, you can get some health care, but you are never allowed to "better" yourself financially. In fact, you are discouraged from doing so, as to increase your income means losing the services that keep you alive.

If you are not poor to start with, you soon will be. Medi-Cal allows only $3000 cash assets, and no more than $1437 income monthly from all sources (amounts are for a couple with one or both being disabled). CMSP allows an adult couple $934 income as "Maintenance Need". So Hubby's $1200/month gets reduces to $950 if I need medical care. What this really means is: if you are under 65 and need medical coverage, don't bother working for more than that "Maintenance Need", because it winds up going out in medical expenses, anyway. This guarantees the recipients will be poor and get poorer, as living expenses increase and the M.N. stays the same.


Here are the eligibility requirements for a couple with one or both being disabled:
Personal property limit: $3000 (all cash assets including retirement accounts, life insurance, checking and savings- in other words, don't bother saving anything)
Motor vehicle limit: "One car if used for transportation is exempt, regardless of value."
nah- I'm going to use it for an effing flower planter
Real property limit: Home exempt. Other real property with net market value of $6000 or less providing property is producing income consistent with its value."
Need standard: $1437 for a couple.