Dear Dan,
First question:
Do you feel well enough to work 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year?
If your answer is YES!, we can move to the next question, which is:
Is the HOPWA move-in grant funding available to you in your area? In most Title I EMA's HOPWA funding is available for first month's rent and security deposit with some conditions on security deposit amounts. Your Case Manager has that local information and funding availability. Find out about HAF funding in your area from the Case Manager. HAF is housing assistance which will cover catch-up on one months rent (per year) and/or utility assistance. The funding levels on these programs change every year so Case Management becomes your new best friend in this program.
There are over 40 million people on disability in the U.S. so Social Security has developed a program called "Return to Work," you should have a voucher in a file somewhere. The use of that voucher gives your employer a tax break for hiring the disabled.
You are also entitled to try and return to work for 9 months with no loss of Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. This program can be extended for up to 1 full year under certain circumstances but if you do try this program, any disability monies received after that time will be paid back so, it is advised to stop spending their money after the initial program ends.
Prior to Medicare Part D and possibly still in effect is the option to extend Medicare coverage for up to three years if you pay a share of cost. Before Medicare Part D, that share of cost was minimal, I believe it was approximately $56.00 per month. I do not know what the current amount is but those figures are available by calling Medicare.
IF YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO ACCEPT THIS ASSIGNMENT
Your homework will be to call each of these organizations to obtain current facts and figures.
If I may be so bold to offer more advice:
Take Mr. VISA and MR. MASTERCARD out of your wallet, into a drawer and keep your payments current. The reason I suggest this is because, in my personal credit history, I have not had a job in over 10 years, have lived on a disability income for the entire time and can go to any real estate office and get funding to purchase a multi-family dwelling IF the seller will carry a 20% second deed of trust. Not bad for an HIV+ faggot, who is over 50.
If I may be bold enough to offer even more advice:
When former BF's call to ask for money, the correct response is, "Do I look like an ATM?
When former BF's call to ask for rides, the correct response is, "You have seen those big things going up and down the street and stop every three blocks? They are called a Bus, try one."
The reason you are still alive is because you have earned that right. It is an entitlement program and as an individual, you contribute every day. I know this because I log on the forums almost every day since September 2005 and every one of those times you have offered support to someone who, like all of us lives with HIV. Have the best day
Michael
www.Commission-on-AIDS.org (http://www.Commission-on-AIDS.org)