POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: clarke on August 01, 2006, 01:51:18 pm
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I just ran into a load of crap from SSD. I work part-time at a Whole Foods Market. The people who were at the "lowest" level of pay ($8.50/hourly) were just given an across the board raise up to $10.00/hourly. Also, each "Team" is given a budget, and if that team stays below budget, then what is left is distributed among those Team Members.
I had to sign a waiver refusing the raise AND bonuses, because as an SSD "client" I can't get anymore than $865.00 monthly in wages or risk losing my SSD (I get just above $900.00). I "have" to work, as we're in this condo thanks to Housing Opportunities Commission (our accumulated SSD income is about $150.00 short of the minimum wage requirements).
This really suxors, as we (as many of you know anyhow) have to pay a Medicare premium, as well as for meds MADAP or Medicare "D" doesn't cover, much less what MEdicare and our Medigap doesn't pay for MD visits (when we get sick from "whatever"). My wife just had her gallbladder removed, and I've had to get stones checked in my kidney and gallbladder to see if they're going to be a hassle (I had Crix sludge in 1999).
I've written my State Reps, but am unsure of who else to contact about SSD restrictions. I know there's a reason for them, but sheesh!!
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Welcome to my world, Clarke.
Double check your figures, though. I always heard it was $850 a month. That $15 could break the camel's back. ;)
I assume SSD and SSI are the same on income limits when the recipient is under 65. It is very difficult to survive when they cap your income. They you have to resort to starting home business that the gov'ment doesn't know about. ;)
I was on SSD for one month and then got the full SSI.
Good luck and if anyone can clarify this, chime in!
Patrick
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I guess politicians expect good folks to live off next to nothing...Did you see recently where Republicans finally agreed to "support" pitiful minimum wage increases but only if they were tied to exhorbitant estate tax decreases for billionaires...They would only agree to a near-living wage for the poor if their favorite constituents can reap windfalls. Such sweethearts !!!
Jody :(
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Sad that so many minimum wage yahoos voted those fatcats into office. I certainly hope pandering to their religious/racist/homophobic bigotry has been worth the cut in wage, and quality of life.
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I checked the site Pat, and it's $865.00. I've been in "your" world since 02/14/1994 (I was immediately put on SSD as I was so sick).
I've been trying to "return" to work off and on, but have had little success. Mostly because I get sick, and stay like that for several weeks. Levaquine seems to be the main answer for when I "catch" something.
I just spent a couple of hours filliing out another "job info" form SSD sent. We're really worried how this is going to pan out. The extra $$$ from this job helps us keep going, especially with co-pays or other medical stuff Medicare won't do.
We've thought about "mystery shopping", but that entails geting out, spending money that you hope will be reimbursed. I would L-O-V-E doing some kind of "home" business, but don't know really where to start. All of the ones that I checked into, wanted money for the "starting kit", or wanted an "investment" before they gave you any info.
I apologise to some who might think this is "whiney" as I DO know there are many with worse problems than we're trying to navigate.
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Getting reviewed by SSD for making "too much" last year.
Does anyone know if Dental stuff "counts"? I had a root-canal and build-up done last year. I've been looking on the SSD site, but haven't really found anything substantial.
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Ouch ::) I'm sorry Pat :-[ I just did another check on the SSD site, and it is $860.00 monthly (not the $865.00 I so rudely adhered to).
I'm getting reviewed by SSD at this time, and they want everything "I" think might pertain to me keeping the job I have. And was told unles I had a good accounting of the extra money, we're looking at having to pay back to close to $3000.00.
Does anyone out here have an "inside" know of this kind of thing? I know meds (that I buy) and other things may be good.
Also, to whom can I "sell my soul" :D to in order to get righteous info on home business/working from home?
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I didn't qualify for SSD but I can tell you that the max. for SSI is 603 a month and that is what I receive. You talk about living on the edge every month.
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clarke,
I was reviewed in March, and it scared the piss out of me, even though I earned under the SGA all but one month.
Is it the Work Activity Report that they are asking you to fill out? I just looked at mine, and I don't see a lot of wiggle room. It looks like the only exceptions they will take into account are impairment-related work expenses, which I understand to be only expenses that you incur in order to be able to work, and not your regular medical and dental stuff that you would be doing anyway.
Have you checked with your ASO to see if they have an SS Benefit Specialist, or if they can refer you to someone? That's what I did. I was referred to a non-profit agency here that works directly with both the SSA and my ASO. I setup an appointment, gathered all my information, and sat down with a counselor who knew exactly what the SSA is looking for, and showed me the best way to present the information. It was a huge help.
Stressful stuff.
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Heya Ademas and Rapid,
it is the Work Activity Report, and it was pretty intimidating for me. We knew a lot of folks in West TN. who were "living on the edge" as we were too. HBC (Human Beings Care) kept a lot of HIV/AIDS clients from dropping thru the cracks (so to speak). And we know it's very hard. There were 5 (3 children, Jane and myself) of us in the family at the time, and I was driving to 2 different counties to get assistance for our utilities (one county for gas, the other for electricity) and dealing with people who looked at me when I/we used food stamps (I'm 6' 5" tall and about 200 lbs.). We were also part of the "hot-line", and the calls we would get, sheesh! :(
I wouldn't have had to do the Dental except that I couldn't eat/talk becasue of the split molar (the edges were so sharp it cut my tongue). What about transportation (car payments? ;D )
The ASO assigned to me has little time for this str8 white boi who has "their" disease (I've attempted to go around her, but it's pointless).
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clarke, are you using Jobs and Family Services in your county? That's who I deal with. They provide transportation to appointments with doctors etc. I use the ASO in my area, they provide money for gas if you need it and transportation to and from medical appointments, they also will buy your dog food. I can't say nothing but praise for my ASO and Jobs and Family Services in my county.
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I'm not sure if there is a Job and Family Service here. Our HIV/AIDS MD is 20 miles from here, and from what I understand, one either has their own transportation, or one takes a bus or taxi.
I know there is a Family Services here, but they don't do/have much available to HIV+'s.
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I wish my ID doctor was that close. I drive 67 miles each directions. Matter of fact I have an appointment to see if my medicine is working on my OI. So saying that I best get in the shower and get ready to go. See ya later.
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I remember those drives while in TN. We had to go to Memphis for about 2 years (80 miles one- way), then the state had one situated in Jackson (40 miles one way).
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From what I was just told any kind of sustained work can be termed "gainful employment." This is in addition to the income cap you can earn. I'd say be careful not to go over the limit too often since you get 9 months during a 3 year period before they look at your employment and the thirty six month countdown to a re-determination starts.