Quote:
Originally Posted by Sapien
Because I've been hospitalized over 20 times and arrested a couple times they want to get me into ACT. To get into ACT I need to apply for Medicaid. To apply for Medicaid I have to apply for SSI. Each step requires an inordinate amount of paper work and I'm super duper overwhelmed by all of it and wondering if it's worth it.
I'm feeling very overwhelmed. I fking hate this country's healthcare system. I'm crying because I'm too incompetent to know how to get help. I spent 2013-2021(?) either drunk or high and psychotic I don't know anything that I did in terms of finances, occupations, log in information, etc.
Why the fk do I have to jump through all these hoops and navigate all this red tape just to stay out of the hospital/jail?
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Sapien, I'm sorry you have such terribly rough challenges within a very flawed system and went through hell with your illness. I'm assuming you don't have any trusted family member who could help with any of this? I won't immediately suggest an SS lawyer because I wouldn't want you to have to pay anything out to anyone when you're in need of as much financial support as possible.
The first thing that came to my mind is perhaps contacting NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The NAMI chapter where I used to live had very helpful resources and support references. However, from the years I've spent on various bipolar forums, I've found that not all NAMI chapters are created equal. This seems to be yet another example of benefits (or disadvantages) depending on where you live in the US. Or more accurately, the wealth or influence in some places vs. others.
Another thing:
I have no experience with them so can't say one way or another how helpful they are, but have you heard of SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, & Recovery)? You might check out info at
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) | SAMHSA According to what's written there, they don't just help the homeless with access to SSI/SSDI, but those with serious mental health issues. It seems affiliated with SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which appears to be part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In the link above, it mentioned SOAR helping about 45,000 people get SSI/SSDI since 2005. That sounds like very few, compared to likely need, but sometimes it might be because so few people even know about the services. You know..."If you don't ask you don't receive." and "If you don't know about it, you don't ask about it." And unfortunately, sometimes organizations count on that for various reasons. Kinda like store coupons. They are there to help you save (or rather act as marketing tools), but only if you find them and use them. Some stores count on people not.