Do you think SSDI increases will ever be above Federal Poverty Levels?

[Inchworm]

The federal minimum wage is going to $7.25 by 2009. http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/flsa/

Do they ever consider the pittance 10 million disabled Americans are forced to survive off of each month?

I didn't verify these numbers posted in the Disability group, but I sure do not doubt them.

- of the 10 million disabled americans (age 16-64), 6 million receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) only

- of the 6 million people, only 24% are above Fed. Poverty Level

- of the 10 million, 3 million disabled americans receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) only

- these 3 million people averaged a $463 monthly payment which is 43% below the Fed. Poverty Level

- of the 10 million, 1 million receive both SSI and SSDI and survive off an average $603 a month

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x2519

What do you think? Will this ever improve?

:shrug:

[Donnachaidh]

1. Nope -- we're last on the list

And it will stay that way until some drastic changes happen. :shrug:

[Inchworm]

3. I fear you are probably right

just how drastic will we need? I guess that's the question.

:hi:

[Donnachaidh]

9. That's the question -

We can find billions of dollars to fly to Iraq and let that disappear -- but god forbid disabled people should get a raise over 2% a YEAR.

[Inchworm]

14. Do we need to organize a...

million person hobble/roll on Washington?

Heh, a little levity... it keeps me sane.

:hi:

[mrcheerful]

16. I'm willing!!!!!!!! Just it would either have to be a short walk or a week long march

as it takes me around 15 minutes to walk 100 Yards, lol. Yeah the doctors have tried to get me to use walking aids and scooter things for a number of years but I refuse to use them, they get in my way.

[Inchworm]

17. If it took months...

Imagine the publicity! We could all get sponsors.

Hec, I bet the sponsors would even match the jacksquat SSI/SSDI pays. We'd all have to do it in less than 9 months though. Anything over 9 months and SSI/SSDI gets cut off. :D

[Deja Q]

2. Add in offshoring and peak oil and the answer is probably 'no'.

:shrug:

I have no clue.

Do they? Since they hype up "national security" but bring in H1Bs without any background checks, I think it is mere cluelessness.

[Inchworm]

8. Sadly you are probably right

and the answer is no.

:hi:

[mrcheerful]

4. I don't think it will ever change. I'm going by personal experience as I been on

SSDI and SSI since 1984. Both programs are called welfare by republicans and to be honest the rest of america doesn't care unless its them or a loved one on either program. Even then you get people playing doctor and deciding just who is disabiled and want to decide who gets what, after all they know a blind person that works or a person in a wheel chair. Not to mention the ones who think its up to parents to provide for disabiled children even after they are adults. When I started getting SSDI and SSI, it was less then $350 a month plus you could get $40 from food stamp program. Well today I get $640 a month and if I want to deal with welfare I'd get $10 from food stamps. Health wise, not much better, your already disabiled so why spend lots of extra money on health. Dental? Yeah, dental, I have an absessed tooth as we speak and can't see a dentist until whenever, I have to call on Aug 1 to make an appointment and have to be one of the first 30 callers in order to get an appointment, just to have a tooth pulled. Change? Yeah right and I'm praying to Santa Jesus to get a little red wagon too.

[Inchworm]

11. I know where you are at

It's why I asked the question. I had a toothache for oh.. about 9 years. I make like 3$ too much a month to get SSI. My credit is shot from divorce and my lack of financial wizardry, so I can't go back to college for training.

Oh, and.. until a year or so ago I had to provide for my daughter. Not easy.. not easy at all...

:grr:

[alfredo]

5. Try to support two on SSDI and pay $260 a month for insurance.

[Donnachaidh]

10. you mean you found insurance?

We've been turned down by most all of them. :shrug:

[alfredo]

20. Through my union. I'm now on disability retirement.

[Inchworm]

12. If by 2, you mean child and self..

I don't know what "insurance" you speak of, but I had daughter to tend to for 4 years or so. It sucked hard!

[alfredo]

19. My wife and I. We both have chronic illnesses so health insurance

is a real pain.

[Inchworm]

21. I see...

Just more added crap to the pile. :(

[alfredo]

22. I'm going to push loudly for universal health care.

[Inchworm]

27. Indeed!

That would make a considerable difference in ya'lls case.

So, what you are saying is.. there is still hope? :)

[alfredo]

28. As long as I am breathing.

[jojo54]

6. "these 3 million people averaged a $463 monthly payment "

Damn, how is ANYBODY supposed to live off of that??????


Brings to mind the '04 election ad with the elderly man talking about buying his meds to stay alive, or buy food to stay alive. That's totally inexcusable.

[Inchworm]

13. I was fortunate enough to get a little more than that

Not freakin much though. You have to do messed up crap to survive like take in roommates, live in a clan, or live with family.

It's the only way. Well you could move to the city and panhandle...

[bobbolink]

7. Not unless DEMS, and that means all voting DEMS, not just politicians, demand it.

I don't see much concern.

[Inchworm]

15. Maybe we could bring back asylums?

Put all the disabled in one place... cruise ships? perhaps a reservation? :shrug:

I'd prefer all voting DEMS demand it.

:)

[bobbolink]

25. There are many on DU who would be in favor of that.

I wish people really could walk in my shoes.

It's so easy to dismiss what you don't know.

Personally, right now I could go for a cruise shit.... er.... I meant, ship....

[Inchworm]

26. I'm down for a cruise!

I'd be steerage for sure!

Each month I'd put my check on the black!

:D

[Wiley50]

18. I'm surviving on $623/mo SSI.

I don't want to fool with food stamps as it's too much extra contact with bureaucracy for $10/mo

They screwed me out of the SSDI I actually qualified for during the 3 1/2 years they fought me over my disability claim
by claiming the date on my original claim was illegible. I didn't fight them further because even though I don't get quite as much money a month, with SSI comes medicaid and I need my doctors and meds paid for much more. I too am fighting recurring dental abscesses that my doctor fights back with antibiotics. Even what the local dental school charges is more than I can come up with.

When my claim finally was granted in '05, I bought an old 28 ft sailboat for $2500 with my lump sum. Since a former employer has a farm and let's me park my boat on it's trailer for free, I'm able to get by. I had hoped to sail the boat to central America, where my money would go twice as far, but, since I got SSI instead of SSDI, if I leave the country for more than 30 days my checks would stop. Even so, I'm on opioid pain management and can't get over 30 days away from my doctor without going into withdrawal. If I could take my money and get my prescriptions refilled anywhere without restriction, I could be living quite well on $623/mo on my boat in the Rio Dulce in Guatemala. A dream I guess I'll never see as it is.

I don't see it changing as long as we remain invisible and at the lowest priority

[bobbolink]

23. As am I. Yet, I've been told on DU that I have no business posting here.

The compassion here......well, sometimes it's like * looking under chairs for weapons of mass destruction.

[Inchworm]

31. Don't listen to naysayers

If someone doesn't want to hear it, they shouldn't reply. The thread will sink.

:D

[bobbolink]

32. It hurts.

[silverojo]

63. Amen to that!

:( :mad:

[Inchworm]

24. I lived on about that for years

I had a little more until daughter turned 18. I basically gave up for a while. I moved from Fort Lauderdale to NC Mountains in 2001. The cost of living is better but still near impossible to maintain a household.

A few months ago I said fuck it and went to all those offices to "beg." The best thing that came out of it so far is that the state now pays my Medicare premium.

:grr:

[catmandu57]

29. No

It's easy ro fuck with poor people, it's even easier to fuck with poor crippled people, we're probably damn lucky that the ssi program hasn't been gutted or killed.

[Inchworm]

30. Ain't that the truth!

That's why I joked about asylums, reservations and cruise ships. Put all the disabled peoples where you can keep an eye on them because god forbid they had enough money to be truly independent.

:grr:

[bobbolink]

33. "we're probably damn lucky that the ssi program hasn't been gutted or killed."

In essence, it was for many people.

Over 300,000 lost their SSI when new regulations about "proof" went into effect. I was one of those caught.... FOUR MONTHS WITH ZERO MONEY!!!

At the last minute, someone took me in and fed me for the rest of those four months.

How many didn't even have that?

How many died?

Does it matter?

Do liberals and Dems care?

Does DU care?

[Cetacea]

34. I care. No.5 nt

[silverojo]

65. The vast majority of DU doesn't care

That's why they aren't rallying behind John Edwards, and why threads about disability are buried under crap about the war.

OK, the war is terrible...but people are DYING here, as well.

[bobbolink]

71. Actually, more people dying of poverty here in US, than in the wwwaaarrrrrr

I will NOT join in the current chorus of rock-throwing against Cindy, but that was why I no longer listened to what she said.

When she angrily rippped those of us working for universal single-payer health care, that was it for me. Interestingly, she hasn't said anything about SICKO, as far as I know....

And Michael Moore is exactly right... "Who ARE we?", he says towards the end of SICKO. He talks about the necessity of moving this country from ME to WE.

And that's why we can't get support for poverty issues here. It's all ME. It's pulling teeth to get empathy going for the WE.

:cry:

[ThomCat]

35. No. Deep in their hearts, a lot of people consider

people with disabilities nothing but a drain on society. Do you really think some of them wouldn't be pleased if we all somehow "went away?"

[Inchworm]

36. If we can't at least get out of poverty

I was hoping for an island to isolate us at least.

Jamaica?

:)

[Deja Q]

37. Maybe Cuba. Thank you, Michael Moore!

:rofl:

Sad, how Cuba is said to do better with health care than the US...

[Inchworm]

41. I wonder if that is true

:shrug:

[Deja Q]

42. In all honesty, I doubt it. Still, when it comes to politics, ALWAYS be as slanted as possible.

And I say that for goons of the left or the right; accuracy can never be total, nor expected.

That's why I listen to everybody. Everybody has a point and everybody is going to be right at some point or another.

[ThomCat]

38. That works for straight people with disabilities.

Those of us who are gay aren't welcome there. :shrug:

A nice friendly island that doesn't get hurricanes would be nice. :)

[Inchworm]

40. Rhode Island?

:)

A little levity...

But I'm still frustrated about the whole thing.

:banghead:

[mentalsolstice]

70. I beg to disagree!

Ummm, no people with disabilities should not be shipped off to their own island. However, what gives you the impression that the disabilities community doesn't welcome gays? I really resent the implication! I'm disabled, and for a number of years I worked for my state's Protection & Advocacy system as an attorney/advocate. Many of my coworkers were gay (much higher percentage than the general population), and I never came across a homophobe consumer. Because I started in the early 90s, we had intense training, whole conferences, in fact, on AIDS and gay culture. In fact, the CEO of National Disability Rights Network, the lobbying arm for state P&A systems, is openly gay.

I'm sorry that you feel disenfranchised because you're gay and disabled...but this really should not be the case.

[Inchworm]

72. I was thinking...

Thom was just playing with my line of sarcasm.

I hope so anyhow!

:hug:

[ThomCat]

74. I was not implying that the gay community doesn't accept gays.

I was saying that Jamaica doesn't.

Though, I have found that the gay community often does not accept us too. Especially in the social arena where physical beauty and perfection has such exagerated importance.

As a disabled person some of my worst problems, and some of the worst hostility, has come from gay establishements.

That wasn't the purpose of the above post though.

[mentalsolstice]

78. Then I'd say

...you're not getting assistance from the right people. One of my biggest rewards in disability advocacy, was the coalitions made with the gay community...and the fact we had so many overlapping issues. For us it was a disability issue in terms of education, housing and employment.

Maybe not so much now?

[silverojo]

66. I'm not going away!

:evilgrin:

[ThomCat]

73. Neither am I!

We'll storm the castles together! :7

I'll just have to find a way to mount the torches and pitchforks to my crutches. :P

[Inchworm]

75. I'll be trebucket ammo!

:hide:

[ThomCat]

76. I hope you realize that you can only do that once.

:(

[Inchworm]

77. Aim for someone important!

I'll use their well fed belly to break my fall.

:silly:

[Lugnut]

39. Nope

As a recipient of SSDI I believe that my government couldn't care less what happens to me and others like me.

[Inchworm]

43. Lets hit "our" government with an awareness stick

It probably won't change much, but hitting gov't with a stick of any sort is fun.

:hi:

[OzarkDem]

44. They should let disabled work part time w/o losing benefits

Though some might abuse the system, it would still work best for everyone. There are a lot of disabled people who could work part time to supplement their income.

[Inchworm]

45. I agree

I volunteer for something to do. If that whole 9 month thing was more forgiving, I (for one) would be able to work to supplement. Sadly, not all can do that.

Back to where we started...

:shrug:

[silverojo]

67. Give people a chance to rise up

Instead of stomping them down into permanent poverty!

[Inchworm]

46. Innocent mule kick for evening folks

:kick:

[NMMNG]

47. What makes disabled people think they deserve to live above poverty level?

:sarcasm:

[mrcheerful]

49. Yeah just ask the fundie types, handi capped are handi capped

for sins they committed or sins their parents or grand parents committed. All you need to do is go to their church, give 99% of your disability income to them and low and behold Santa Jesus will grew you new limbs, or spines or nervous systems or a new brain and you too will be welcomed into the wonderful life of non disabiled workers. Oh yeah don't forget that you also have to vote for the "right" political party to make Santa Jeusus happy enough to heal (heel?) you.

[Inchworm]

51. Can I do that by proxy?

I guess they will do that stuff when we all get put in "homes."

Amen...

:P

[NMMNG]

52. Indeed.

Which leads us to the question: Why won't God heal amputees?

[Inchworm]

59. I'll be needing a brief

I try not to click on links with "god" in them :D

:hide:

[Inchworm]

50. Think?

That's a stretch all by itself! You didn't know we only act on instinct? That is why we need monitoring.

:sarcasm:

[mrcheerful]

53. Actualy a blind friend and I were sitting in my car freezing temps, snow blowing waiting for his rid

from the handi bus service, the bus was already 2 hours late and my friend didn't want me to drive him home, fear of getting jumped on by the handi bus service for not waiting. While we were sitting their a couple of holy joes pounced on my blind friends window and started spewing how Santa Jesus would give him back his eye sight and all he had to do was give everything he had to Santa Jesus. After all Santa Jesus took his sight for either sins or not enough faith. They even proved it by Reading some verse by Saul/Pual. We couldn't stop laughing long enough to get the meaning of their enlightened insight to how Santa Jesus works.

[Inchworm]

56. Do you know...

J-E-E-B-U-S?

I despise that...

:D

[NMMNG]

54. Who let you near a computer?

I'd better report that! :silly:

[Inchworm]

57. I saved $3.99/month

For 2 years while reading "how to build a computer" books at the public library that had these books on the lower shelves. Then I upgraded other people's computers and keeping what was replaced. I took the money I saved for 2 years, paid my rent and electric...

:silly:

[mrcheerful]

58. Funny you should say that,

not to long ago my S.O.'s sister started a rumor that I wasn't alowed on a computer because handi capped people were known sex offenders and sex offenders were not allowed on line. ROFLMA. She even produced the news paper it came out of, there were 2 stories in there 1 about how many handi capped people were in prison on Criminal Sexual Conduct charges and the second story was about people on parole and probation for CSC were denied use of computers. She put the 2 together it seems, lmao.

[NMMNG]

79. People come up with the strangest notions

I've worked with people who have various disabilities for the past 20 years and I've heard some of the most amazing misconceptions (not to mention some of the most asinine bigotry). I could write a book with all I've seen, heard and experienced over the years.

[Deja Q]

64. What makes disabled people think they deserve to live?

:sarcasm:

[Inchworm]

69. Medication?

Of course we had to buy the meds off a guy named Bubba down on the street corner.

:silly:

[KitSileya]

48. Unfortunately, I don't think there are many societies in the world

who truly care about its citizens with disabilities. In Norway, we do have a better security net with regards to benefits, but try to circumnavigate city streets in a wheelchair. Part of that is because much of our urban environment has grown through 1000 years of history, but modern buildings etc aren't much better. Forget public transport, for which we are so lauded - the buses aren't built to accomodate wheelchairs. Heck, I spent 3 months on crutches and had trouble getting to work. There are horror stories here too, about paraplegics being put in nursing homes, for example.

What was it Bartlet said in Nashua? "If fidelity to freedom and democracy is the code to our civic religion then, surely, the code of our humanity is faithful service to that unwritten commandment that says we should give our children better than we, ourselves, received." Well, I think how we treat disabled people says a lot about our humanity as well. And a lot of people who think they are so tolerant and open-minded shy away from disabled people. It is much easier to fight for minority rights etc, because if you're white and straight, you know you won't ever be Hispanic, or black, or gay. But anyone can be in a car accident and become a paraplegic, or develop multiple sclerosis, or..or..or. Most able-bodied people hate thinking about these possibilities, and don't like to be reminded of them. But those of us who know that there but for the grace of God go I, are with you in this fight.

k&r

[Inchworm]

55. You are correct

The thing that sucks the most is...

being any individual paying into the system thinking you are doing what is right for your future.

The fact is unless you already are set in a career with your own insurance set up, you are one slip away from being forced to live off less that $750/month.

It doesn't matter if you paid 6 months into it or 16 years...

:grr:

[Deja Q]

60. Funny. The US is against euthenasia for the disable, but is against ethical living for them either.

Oh well; just something else to be confused about. :shrug:

[NMMNG]

80. Live long and suffer

Suffering is noble, don't you know? :sarcasm:


The RW is also against abortion and contraception. Yet another twist of logic.

[oldgrowth]

61. Those numbers are probably before medicare is taken out ,yes

Medicare has a monthly premium!!!!It's not free!!!And there are deductibles!

[Inchworm]

yup- I realize that

oh.. and it hardly covers anything unless you like.. sever an artery and make an appointment to get a general doctor to sign a document stating that you are disabled and wounded.

The document is then faxxed across town. You then need to take public transportation or "handicap servce" van to pick up the paper. Deliver it to your "counseler" on the other side of town.

Once this is done Medicare will pay for your trip to the emergency room.

:banghead:

[kineneb]

62. No. Hubby gets SSDI

Medicare and Medicaid because he is on dialysis (ESRD). We live on ~$1200 for two of us, which is almost, but not quite, adequate. He does get his rides to the clinic through Medicaid, but it doesn't cover all the trips to the doctors and hospitals. One hospital is 50 miles away (and a 1:45 hr. drive through the hills).

I applied for SSDI for my mental health issues, but was turned down for lack of units. I didn't work because I was depressed and couldn't do much. I am now waiting to hear whether I qualify for SSI, so I might be able to get coverage for my medications. I picked up one on Mon.; it was $123 for a 30-day supply, and it was a generic! I get my other meds as samples from my doc, otherwise I could not afford them. I mentioned to Hubby "What do I have to do to get coverage, threaten to slit my wrists?"


Hugs to all of you.

:grouphug:

[Inchworm]

68. Don't do that...

You would bleed out by the time all the paperwork was settled.

All I can say is I hope the best for you two. It aint easy.

:hug: