[Mack2]

Can someone explain what benefits are available to those with severe mental health disorders. In Scotland they are making big changes to get people back to work, and therefore everyone on certain benefits are being interviewed, my current state of benefit is Incapasity benefit (£221.20) per fortnight, disability allowance (£296) per month, child tax credit (£253) per month and child benefit (£81.29) per month. I doubt I'll pass the assessment so I'll be put into the category of employment support which means I don't have to find a job, however the system is majorly flawed and over 35% won an appeal to get into the support. They actually told a man who was blind and deaf he was fit to work and also a bipolar sufferer in a state of psychosis in hospital he was fit. There are huge objections to the system so I'm hoping when it comes to my assessment they don't get it wrong. If you don't agree with their decision then all money is stopped while the appeal takes place which can be months, forcing people into absolute poverty. This government sucks!!!

[emgreen]

In the American system they also require reassessments. Most of the benefits you mention are not available in the States, though. It sounds like you receive more than one on disability would here. I haven't checked on the current conversion from pounds to dollars, though.

[Nessa213]

I think ALL governments suck. I know a few people that live on government benefits and they all pretty much live below poverty level. There's money you can get, or housing subsidies you can recieve (we call it "Section 8" housing here), but it's basically like living in the absolute WORST part of town. However, in some extreme cases, you can live there rent free.

As for disability benefits in terms of how much you actually recieve, I have no idea.

When I was on welfare (not for disability, it was when I was pregnant and had no job) I was able to get food stamps and free health care at the county's clinic, but it was bare minimum on both fronts.

[faerie_moon_x]

I agree that all government has problems with their benefit systems. In the US if you are on disability and live alone, it is very likely you will be homeless. Where I live there is a 3 year waiting list to get discounted housing (which is 30% of your gross income,) and does not include utilities. For example, if my mother-in-law were to live in disability housing her rent would be about $270 a month, they take $160 for her Medicare payment, and then an appartment utilities would be about $80 a month. One of her pills is $120 a month. That leaves her about $270 for groceries for the whole month. Yet, people believe that those on disability are living high and taking advantage of everyone.

[bluemountains]

My sister is one of the few who is making a great living on benefits. She was injured while working for the US Postal Service, a shoulder injury that means she can't lift heavy objects. After several years of fighting the system she receives gov't money each month until retirement age (workman's comp?) for the injury and inability to return to work. Around the same time, she also was given a disability status due to her schizophrenia-first request! She now receives two checks from the gov't and the first is equivalent to what her salary would have been after for twenty years of service. It is all legal-federal employees in the US have great benefits.
Meanwhile, I am a teacher in the 48th lowest state for pay, and if I didn't have my husband's income, I could qualify for reduced lunch for my children. Go firgure.
Bluemountains

[yellowfrog268]

Mack,

Here in the USA, disability benefits vary. The federal government sets it's rules on what constitutes a disability and whether or not that disability prevents you from working.
On the individual state level, there are various programs aimed at helping those designated as disabled by federal standards. These programs include assistance with food, shelter, vocational rehabilitation, assistance with utility bills, child care, and some others. Although these programs are all designed to support persons with disabilities, none of them allow for a comfortable standard of living. Like other posters have said, most disabled individuals who have no other source of income or support subsist at or below poverty level.
I would hate to think that here in the USA anyone would tell a deaf and blind person or one in hospital dealing with mania that they are fit to work. As we are well known as a society that isn't afraid to speak our minds or challenge authority, I think such actions would bring about an investigation and possibly a lawsuit against the assessor and/or the agency they represent.

[bunnifoo]

A lot depends on what state you live in. I currently live in Vermont which is one of the most progressive states in the country. We're also have the second smallest population of the US (the state with the smallest population is Wyoming).

I used to live in Florida and the city I lived has a population roughly half that of all of Vermont.

Besides being larger and having a larger population to deal with, it's more conservative.

So in Vermont there are more state based options for people whereas in Florida there's pretty much nothing that's state based.

For example in Vermont if you fall within a certain income level (I think it's under $50,000/year for a single person) there are multiple options for state subsidized health insurance. Whereas in Florida if you don't meet the minimum federal guidelines for Medicaid there's nothing for you in terms of health insurance. And in some places there's very few options for health clinics.

[Victoria'smom]

I receive $710 a month. I paid $355 in rent, $15 prescriptions, $100 car insurance, $60 for internet, and $30 for karate. then there is taxes, clothing, house stuff like toilet paper, and gas for the rest of the money. we get free medical insurance, and $55 a week for food. we don't live in the best area but with section 8 my son can living area that he can go outside and play.

if the federal government has not decided that you are disabled then you are required to partisipate full time in a work program to get food, housing,and medical assistance. I am so very thankful for the programs that we have in United States.

[Mack2]

I calculated that the total benefit I receive is about $1800 per month but out of that only $1100 is for disability, the other 2 are child benefit which everyone with children get and tax credit is paid based on the income I get for disability. Ie the more disability you get, the less tax credit and if you work you are also entitled to tax credit. Seems like its hit and miss in America as to what you get.

[poptartscherry]

During the past two months I have been going through South Carolina's disability process. I AM BI-POLAR. I also rarely leave the house & only talk with my daughter, son, husband & one friend. I wrote I am bi-polar in caps because, I really have been in denial. I blamed my last hospitalization on medications & stress and believed I was probably hypomanic. I began having panic attacks years ago, and slowly started staying home (high anxiety) When I began talking with disability reps; wow; I ran to the Dr. to get more meds. I was so manic; recorded every call and was so angry. Talked with a psychologist yesterday that told me I probably hurt myself during the exam. Naming 3 things - subtracting numbers & the numbers really freaked me out. I've been obsessing on the numbers 17 & 7 and the Dr. asked me to subtract 7 from numbers. Paranoid. Then I later realized I told him I had worked at two different jobs for 7 years each. Anyway, I told the Dr. when I tried to kill myself, I drank a bottle of wine; took pills. He seemed so interested in the drinking - not that I tried to kill myself. I don't drink. When I was younger; after my first divorce I would drink a couple of beers occasionally; thank God I don't like to drink; I can't imagine what my brain would be like. Anyway, I put my trust in someone at the disability services and yesterday morning I found myself continually crying thinking how stupid I was. I tried to call 2 people at disability determination and they didn't call back. Not the norm & I believe they really don't care. I just want to get better. I'm panic all worry all the time and even with my medications I cannot function - cannot take care of my 12 yr old son. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here now. Teacher called & basically said he needs to be evaluated. My husband works for us, but doesn't have any insight into my problems. My problems are affecting our son. He is depressed. I do have a great advocate on my side & I guess government officials can be helpful. I'm just too tired to think about it. Woke up at 4:00 - have a good day.

Originally Posted by bunnifoo

A lot depends on what state you live in. I currently live in Vermont which is one of the most progressive states in the country. We're also have the second smallest population of the US (the state with the smallest population is Wyoming).

I used to live in Florida and the city I lived has a population roughly half that of all of Vermont.

Besides being larger and having a larger population to deal with, it's more conservative.

So in Vermont there are more state based options for people whereas in Florida there's pretty much nothing that's state based.

For example in Vermont if you fall within a certain income level (I think it's under $50,000/year for a single person) there are multiple options for state subsidized health insurance. Whereas in Florida if you don't meet the minimum federal guidelines for Medicaid there's nothing for you in terms of health insurance. And in some places there's very few options for health clinics.

[bluemountains]

I have read some of the benefits each of you are receiving. It is incredible that our federal government has such little respect for those who have a medical disability. This, along with the way we allow our senior citizens to be ignored makes me very angry and sad. My state, North Carolina, just cut out federal benefits for the unemployed. The first state to do so. I grew up in rental houses where we regularly had our electricity turned off until my mother, a divorced mother with 5 children, could gather enough money to pay the bill..
Sorry to get on my soapbox, or maybe it is my bp ocd, but the lack of respect our country has for human beings that don't fit the mold is so unreasonable. And we always hear the political cry to lower taxes!
Bluemountains