Being of disability and it not being enough.

[LiveWithIt]

I am on SSD, but what I get covers only rent, electric in the winter, and internet bill/basic cable bill.  I have savings for the time being.  I qualify for Medicare and I am considered under the federal poverty level and my copays are paid for.  I only have to pay $6.50 per prescription, but by April or May I get most meds free. 

Does anyone know what kind of work I can find off the books, under the table, even part time to help supplement my living?  I'd hate to apply somewhere and then when then have to ask if they would be willing to pay off the books,  I know many places won't at all. 

Or do you know of any housing programs that might help?  I looked into section 8  online, but they are not even taking applications.  I like where I am living now, and I don't really want to move, but I may have to.  I don't think my Landlord would even accept section 8 because they might make her have to accept it for any future tenants moving in I would guess. 

The labor market in Florida is tight, my friend has a college degree, also HIV poz and he can't even get  $12 an hour job.  When he was looking I thought it was for a $50K job. 

[mikeyb39]

Whats your disability?  if you can work 'under the table', then I would think that would take away being disabled.  Is you disability due to something else other than just being HIV positive?

[mikeyb39]

please don't take my question as being mean or rude, i was just asking for background information, not trying to be condescending

[LiveWithIt]

please don't take my question as being mean or rude, i was just asking for background information, not trying to be condescending

It's mean, rude, condescending and none of your business. 

[mecch]

Jobs that can often be off the books includes restaurant work (mom and pop), gardening, dog walking, and house cleaning. Etc.

I have an uncle who chauffers people to airports, off the books.

If you have any skills that you can freelance, you might get away with under the table work. Make a list of any skills that you have that could be lucrative and discuss with people in your environment for more ideas, contacts, or jobs.

Be careful of course.  Don't lose essential income sources.

[LiveWithIt]

Jobs that can often be off the books includes restaurant work (mom and pop), gardening, dog walking, and house cleaning. Etc.

I have an uncle who chauffers people to airports, off the books.

If you have any skills that you can freelance, you might get away with under the table work. Make a list of any skills that you have that could be lucrative and discuss with people in your environment for more ideas, contacts, or jobs.

Be careful of course.  Don't lose essential income sources.

Cool, thanks for the info.

[surf18]

no i don't think mikes question was rude. i think it was perfectly fair question in the context of the op original question.

[denb45]

Cool, thanks for the info.

You might wanna contact your local ASO, if funding is available, and you meet the income requirements, they may have a program to help you with your Rent, also, there's HOPWA, if they still even have this ( it pays your rent) I forget the amount tho, and don't give up on SEC 8, when you can at least fill out the app.......Good Luck 

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/aidshousing/programs

[LiveWithIt]

You might wanna contact your local ASO, if funding is available, and you meet the income requirements, they may have a program to help you with your Rent, also, there's HOPWA, if they still even have this ( it pays your rent) I forget the amount tho, and don't give up on SEC 8, when you can at least fill out the app.......Good Luck 

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/aidshousing/programs

Thanks, I will have to look into some of those,  I've heard of HOPWA, and I would think some have long waiting lists or no funding left, but the sooner I get my name on the better. 

[denb45]

Thanks, I will have to look into some of those,  I've heard of HOPWA, and I would think some have long waiting lists or no funding left, but the sooner I get my name on the better.

and don't forget your local ASO, not sure about Florida, that's kinda a very tricky place to live with AIDS, from what I'm told, perhaps others will chime-in with more info about your State..............good luck to ya 

[BT65]

At the ASO where I am employed, there is HOPWA.  There is also, as guessed, long waiting lists.  But we continually accept names on the wait list because some people move out of state, etc., so their names come off and the other names move up.  It's worth it.

Also, here's a link to working while on disability.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/2010/guide-employment-supports.htm
Sorry, here is a more updated link:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/The%20Red%20Book%202012.(F).pdf

[skeebo1969]

Thanks, I will have to look into some of those,  I've heard of HOPWA, and I would think some have long waiting lists or no funding left, but the sooner I get my name on the better.

I lived in Miami for 37 years, so I know how tough it can be living there with rent being sky high.  Get with your ASO as the others have mentioned and get your name on the HOPWA list ASAP.  I use to be in the bakery business down there and some of the smaller operations will pay under the table. 

It can be tricky asking an employer to do so though..  I hope something works out for you.

Skeebo

[LiveWithIt]

I lived in Miami for 37 years, so I know how tough it can be living there with rent being sky high.  Get with your ASO as the others have mentioned and get your name on the HOPWA list ASAP.  I use to be in the bakery business down there and some of the smaller operations will pay under the table. 

It can be tricky asking an employer to do so though..  I hope something works out for you.

Skeebo

I'm in Broward, and the rents are pretty reasonable when compared to where I grew up in the Northeast.  Thanks for the advice.

[LiveWithIt]

At the ASO where I am employed, there is HOPWA.  There is also, as guessed, long waiting lists.  But we continually accept names on the wait list because some people move out of state, etc., so their names come off and the other names move up.  It's worth it.

Also, here's a link to working while on disability.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/2010/guide-employment-supports.htm
Sorry, here is a more updated link:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/The%20Red%20Book%202012.(F).pdf

Thanks

[denb45]

Thanks

Here is the latest FPL as of 2012, for those of you with a pdf. reader


http://coverageforall.org/pdf/FHCE_FedPovertyLevel.pdf

2012 Federal Poverty Level
The benefit levels of many low-income assistance programs are based on these poverty guidelines. Find your family size and monthly or yearly income below to determine your FPL percentage category.
Note: Pregnant women count as two people for the purpose of this chart.
48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
% Gross Yearly & Monthly Income

[LiveWithIt]

Here is the latest FPL as of 2012, for those of you with a pdf. reader

Thanks, good to know.