[shortandcute]

I cannot afford to wait any longer; I am in debt way over my head and I need to start paying some bills. Starting next, I wont be getting medicaid anymore so I wont be able to pay for my meds or appointments so that will be considered noncompliance on my part; besides, for some bizarre reason my psych. reported me as being non=compliant anway. I thought I was going to get some state cash benefits but it turned out that I'm only eligible for a program that gives out free toilet paper and shampoo. The place Id have to go to is several miles away and I would have to pay someone about 30 dollars for gas money to get there. At that price I could just walk to my local grocery store and buy all that. yeah, but Im done with this. p.s. The reason I cant get the state cash benefits was because they found out I was denied federal disability! Yeah, so anyway, I'm just gonna have to get a job and forget the meds.

[shortandcute]

I'm just frustrated because I wasted two and a half years of my life trying to get that crap (disability) and I could have spent that time working or least looking for work or going to school.

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I'm just frustrated because I wasted two and a half years of my life trying to get that crap (disability) and I could have spent that time working or least looking for work or going to school.

You really think so?

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by George H.

You really think so?

yes, because Im obviously not going to get it; as of next month, I wont be getting medicaid so i wont be able to pay for my meds and that will be looked upon as being noncompiant, so that will look bad on me anyway

Of course, I wasted those years, because Im not getting it anyway; I could have spent that time working and gettni ng more experiecne, and at least have some type of income--now i have n othing

[Hellion]

Why not still wait on the SSI while looking for a job...maybe you'd get the SSI first.

Also why are you losing medicaid, if you're essentially broke aren't you supposed to qualify for medicaid? I don't get why they'd be throwing you off it. Also could you tell your psychiatrist or doctor you are losing medicaid and ask them for suggestions on how to afford meds?

And it took me like two years to actually get approved with the whole initial denial, appeal and then hearing, so i wouldn't entirely give up hope on it yet.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I could have spent that time working and gettni ng more experiecne, and at least have some type of income--now i have n othing

If you believe this, why do you need disability?

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by Hellion

Why not still wait on the SSI while looking for a job...maybe you'd get the SSI first.

Also why are you losing medicaid, if you're essentially broke aren't you supposed to qualify for medicaid? I don't get why they'd be throwing you off it. Also could you tell your psychiatrist or doctor you are losing medicaid and ask them for suggestions on how to afford meds?

And it took me like two years to actually get approved with the whole initial denial, appeal and then hearing, so i wouldn't entirely give up hope on it yet.

for me, its already been more than two and half years; but I did get it straightened out with the medicaid--it was a minor glitch and it took us five minutes to iron it out.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by emgreen

If you believe this, why do you need disability?

Well, I do need disability but they are not going to give it to me.

Originally Posted by emgreen

If you believe this, why do you need disability?

Originally Posted by shortandcute

Well, I do need disability but they are not going to give it to me.

That was kind of my thinking too. Don't you think if you could have you would have? I know I can really push myself and make a bit of money but even that is getting harder to do. And as far as getting a real job... no. I don't know how to take this further w/o asking personal questions and I'm not going to do that. Not sure it would be helpful anyway. Hang in there and do the best you can

[shortandcute]

Well, I did find out that I am still getting medicaid, there was just some miscommunication or misunderstanding on my part or something. That program that I was talking (with the shampoo and toilet paper) had a little more to it than I thought and it looks like I can get quite a bit of help from it, like with help with transportation (such as gas and bus passes, etc) and help with rent, utilities, etc. I was thinking that I could take the city shuttle right to the place I need to go and it will charge me only $3.oo for a round trip so that can work. Last nite, I just felt like I was at my wits end. I had a 7:30 a.m. appointment with my psychiatrist this morning; my son drove me in and its about a 45 minute drive; I wanted to make sure we werent late so we left around 6ish. I was in a lot of pain and did not get much sleep last nite. The appointment only lasted 10 minutes!But between yesterdays stress and this mornings early appointment, it just totally wiped me out and I could not get anything done 2day.

[Fresia]

I am sorry to hear about how the morning went, but glad you made it there ok to the appointment. Hopefully you can get some rest. Do what you need to take care of you, that is what is most important first and foremost.

It is good to know you will still be qualifying for some of the assistance meanwhile. I just wanted to point out that most people are denied for disability. Denials are up to something like 75-80% of claims now, depending on your state. The process is detailed and cumbersome in hopes you will drop it, after the first or even second denial. Please do not give up hope if you need the assistance. If you are able to go back to work, that is one thing to pursue if you can, but if not, I know it is frustrating, but hang in there and keep trying. Will be sending good vibes your way.

[Forget-Me-Nots]

Congrats on getting some help, glad the misunderstandings were settled I still haven't heard anything about my claim. I'm going to give it til the end of the month then call again. Thanks for the info on that program, some gas money would help a lot. Considering how much gas is. I didn't know that it existed I'll take a look at it..

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by Forget-Me-Nots

Congrats on getting some help, glad the misunderstandings were settled I still haven't heard anything about my claim. I'm going to give it til the end of the month then call again. Thanks for the info on that program, some gas money would help a lot. Considering how much gas is. I didn't know that it existed I'll take a look at it..

The program I was talking about is a state to state thing. It's called HEN, and its something that Washington state does, and I don't know if they have programs like that in other states or not. The HEN program itself has nothing to do with disability.

The cash assistance I was talking about is from my local "welfare" office and is meant for people who are considered disabled and is just meant to be temporary while a person waits for their SSD/SSI to go through or is decided on. It's called ABD (sometimes GAU) and that is also something that varies from state to state. But the reason I got denied that is because they found out that I was denied disability in November. So they gave me a referral to the HEN thing.

[happiedasiy]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

The program I was talking about is a state to state thing. It's called HEN, and its something that Washington state does, and I don't know if they have programs like that in other states or not. The HEN program itself has nothing to do with disability.

The cash assistance I was talking about is from my local "welfare" office and is meant for people who are considered disabled and is just meant to be temporary while a person waits for their SSD/SSI to go through or is decided on. It's called ABD (sometimes GAU) and that is also something that varies from state to state. But the reason I got denied that is because they found out that I was denied disability in November. So they gave me a referral to the HEN thing.

Congratulations, see when things make you feel hopeless, something good happens and your perceptions change! Depending on your plan, you have to ask for certain benefits. ABD plans are Federal programs. Meaning the state gets reimbursed by the Federal gov for your treatments.

I got my car insurance from medicaid, $365. a year. Down from $1250.
This is a great savings for me but I had to request it.
I get free transportation to dr., physical mental therapy, mammogram/blood work any diagnostic and to the pharmacy if I need it.
Safe is a free cell phone with 250 free minutes.
Energy benefits like USF and 2 others to help pay for ac/heat.
Get a note from your and you'll get $225. credit off your bill.
Snap program will give you $180. monthly.
And there is more,
H.

[shortandcute]

happiedaisy==I guess I made a mistake on the ABD thing. Well actually thats good that its more of a federal thing. I had never heard of it before i moved to Washington, so I just assumed; still not sure if the HEN is that way, but I am grateful to have it. Might be something to look into-I would think they would have something like it at leastr in other states.

[RTerroni]

Sorry about that part of me thinks that my disability lawyer will just drop my case if we don't win at my next hearing in August.

[shortandcute]

RTerroni, Im sorry if I discouraged you; I was really manic the other day and kind of going off the deep end a little. Things got ironed out a little since then; Im sure your lawyer more than likely will want y0u to appeal. Please dont give up just because I was having a bad day. I know its discouraging and hard to wait, especially when you got people like me ranting and carrying on with negative thoughts I know people whove waited for years and stuck with it, and were glad they did. Lots of hugs.

[waggiedog]

Hi there shortandcute. Oh yes, I sure do UNDERSTAND how you can end up in a terrible state with the system regarding social benefits (the name in England) I spent three years trying to get it all sorted but during that time I was in and out of Psych hospital anyways. Even during that time of turmoil the benefits office were STILL bugging me to fill in more and more forms to explain by me why I couldn't work!! OK, if at a later date they do decide to award benefit, then it does get back dated. Now I have to attend three daily visits to the programme centre for various therapy and I'm also with the Re~hab drugs and alcohol team, so that four days per week. Now my benefit has been slashed because they say I can work!! Oh, but when? I'm really trying to work these programes but the benefit people are causing a lot of anxity. So YES hunny, I sure do ''get it'' when you talk of your troubles. HUGS and LOVES, as ever. XXXXXXXXXXX

[(JD)]

I understand. It's a twisted system.

I'm on worker compensation. It comes out of the same "funding" as SSDI they say, yet I cannot obtain the benefits of SSDI. Also the utility companies and the like, who offer discounts to those on SSDI will not offer them to me.

Maybe if you find a job and can keep it long enough before they realize you can't really do it due to your disability, you can draw unemployment??? Or find a new doctor?

I as fired from volunteer jobs though because of the increase Worker Comp fees they would have to pay because of the "increased risk". I hope you don't run into that issue with disability on your file.

Best wishes.

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

RTerroni, Im sorry if I discouraged you; I was really manic the other day and kind of going off the deep end a little. Things got ironed out a little since then; Im sure your lawyer more than likely will want y0u to appeal. Please dont give up just because I was having a bad day. I know its discouraging and hard to wait, especially when you got people like me ranting and carrying on with negative thoughts I know people whove waited for years and stuck with it, and were glad they did. Lots of hugs.

I hope that she will keep my case for a little while longer although with her age (she is currently 68) I can see her retiring in the not too distant future.

[Fishymoon]

I am heart sick you are having such trouble. I have nothing to say that might help. I do know how hard it is to work when you shouldn't be. May things continue to improve for you. Perhaps you can get help in your state with job training. Gentle hug, don't give up.

[spondiferous]

I really cannot choose words that are significant to fit all my rage at systems everywhere that are supposed to be set up to "help" people. It's slightly better here in BC, Canada...but only slightly. And for the most part they're just always looking for an excuse to take money away from you. I hope things look up for everyone. And I hope that one day people who are disabled will cease to be harassed, manipulated, mistrusted, abused, and shunned. (not gonna hold my breath on the last...but I'll keep hopin' all the same...)

[shortandcute]

I had an appointment at the HEN assistance program the other day. I took the local shuttle, which only cost me $3.00 round trip, and they gave me toilet paper, shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, all purpose spray cleaner, razors, and even a mop and a mop bucket! They even offered me a 25 dollar gift card for gas; I told them I don't drive, but they said that, if I wanted it, I could give to my son because he drives me around sometimes. So I went ahead and accepted it, which was perfect because I needed my son to take me grocery shopping last night and he was low on gas. Luckily I have a food card, and I still had about 110 dollars left on it, so that helped. It's amazing how even a little bit of help can make a big difference.

[Perna]

Shortandcute, have you applied on your state site and seen all you might get from the government? https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/

[shortandcute]

yes, i have, thats how i was able to get HEN, food stamps and medicaid; they were also the ones who denied me the ABD cash assistance (state temporary disability).