What would you do with $1400 a month in disability payments?
June 5, 2021 1:48 PM Subscribe
I have a friend on disability who is soon to be kicked out of their current residence.
They make $1400 a month and have not been able to work for several years. They're 50 years old and without much family support. What would you do in their shoes? Move to the cheapest place in America to live? I've told them they might live briefly with me in Africa.
They make $1400 a month and have not been able to work for several years. They're 50 years old and without much family support. What would you do in their shoes? Move to the cheapest place in America to live? I've told them they might live briefly with me in Africa.
Also, if the friend is in Roanoke, VA, please MeMail me. I’m not there, but I went to college there and know folks in the area who might be able to provide assistance.
posted by epj at 1:59 PM on June 5, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by epj at 1:59 PM on June 5, 2021 [1 favorite]
This person needs to look into local housing for the handicapped and elderly. In some places they're combined. There are government subsidies so that the person's rent is based on their income. I have friends who live in such places and they are quite nice. If you want to tell us where your friend is we can help more by looking up appropriate agencies that should be able to help.
posted by mareli at 2:49 PM on June 5, 2021
posted by mareli at 2:49 PM on June 5, 2021
They should apply for food stamps if they haven't already. Whether they qualify will depend on what state they live in and other factors.
posted by praemunire at 2:54 PM on June 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by praemunire at 2:54 PM on June 5, 2021 [2 favorites]
There are laws about where outside the US you are allowed to live and still receive benefits (the PDF linked on this Social Security Administration page describes in detail). You can't be outside of the country for more than 6 months or your benefits stop. Does your friend have a social worker? Talking with their social worker would probably be a really good idea if so. Local social service agencies are also good places to turn in this situation, like emergency housing assistance agencies as suggested above.
posted by twelve cent archie at 3:45 PM on June 5, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by twelve cent archie at 3:45 PM on June 5, 2021 [6 favorites]
So, it's hard but people do this. It's not likely the standard of living this person was use to, but it's possible (and standard SSI is only 794, so people make do on significantly less!). In general, if one did not have assets prior (like a house) one would be looking for an as apartment (studio or one bedroom) likely in the 500 to 800 dollar range. Or having a roomate. This leaves about 600 a month for other expenses. They will able to get utilities, cell phone and food and that's about it with the remainder. Some people keep a car, but that's pretty difficult. No eating out. Food stamps may provide a little bit at that income level, but it may not be much. Use the food pantry for staples. Buy clothes only at thift stores.
Depending on this disability, Many people get some sort of under the table (this is against rules and can cause issues if discovered) even if they are disabled. Some times this is stuff like babysitting , some times this is just odds and ends for friends or whatever, sometimes it is straight up panhandling. Some times this is some sort of agreement with an actual buisness to do something. It just depends. On SSDI you can make a little money without pentalty, but you will need to talk to some one very very very well versed in that stuff because messing that up is costly.
If they don't qualify for medicaid, they might if they spend too much money on medical stuff, through the spenddown provisions. That will help. Learn the rules for your state make sure you apply if you qualify.
There are programs like section 8, and other subsidized units get on waiting lists now. It could take litteral years. When they are older they may qualify for senior housing. But are likely too young at this point.
Many people use social supports to help them, living with family, having someone put them on their cellphone plan and paying that friend family member every month, sharing netflicks, internet accounts what have you. But not everybody is in that situation.
It is certianly not comfortable. it is not fun and leaves no room for mistakes or emergencies. It often puts disabled adults in substandard housing. But people do get by on that income level. I'm not familiar with that area, but it is doable in chicago for sure, but usually not in areas where people want to live.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:07 AM on June 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
Depending on this disability, Many people get some sort of under the table (this is against rules and can cause issues if discovered) even if they are disabled. Some times this is stuff like babysitting , some times this is just odds and ends for friends or whatever, sometimes it is straight up panhandling. Some times this is some sort of agreement with an actual buisness to do something. It just depends. On SSDI you can make a little money without pentalty, but you will need to talk to some one very very very well versed in that stuff because messing that up is costly.
If they don't qualify for medicaid, they might if they spend too much money on medical stuff, through the spenddown provisions. That will help. Learn the rules for your state make sure you apply if you qualify.
There are programs like section 8, and other subsidized units get on waiting lists now. It could take litteral years. When they are older they may qualify for senior housing. But are likely too young at this point.
Many people use social supports to help them, living with family, having someone put them on their cellphone plan and paying that friend family member every month, sharing netflicks, internet accounts what have you. But not everybody is in that situation.
It is certianly not comfortable. it is not fun and leaves no room for mistakes or emergencies. It often puts disabled adults in substandard housing. But people do get by on that income level. I'm not familiar with that area, but it is doable in chicago for sure, but usually not in areas where people want to live.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:07 AM on June 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
Depending on the local there may be a variety of assistance programs available. In Chicago, there is LiHeap which pays a utility subsidies and helps pay back bills sometimes, the rental assistance programs (right now running some covid relief stuff and homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs) there is circut breaker that helps pay specific fees for licence and registration, there is the Chicago housing Authority for housing and other and other agencies doing that work, there is the free ride/reduced fair program for disabled adults who use public transit and that's just what I can name off the top of my head. There are reduced property taxes initiatives . These things really do help, even if the processes can be difficult for someone with a disability to keep track of.
Finding a compenent social worker who knows their local resources can really help save some money in the long run by making sure that someone is consistently applying to all local assistance offered.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:31 AM on June 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
Finding a compenent social worker who knows their local resources can really help save some money in the long run by making sure that someone is consistently applying to all local assistance offered.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:31 AM on June 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
I found Cincinnati to have a lot of urban amenities and a low cost of living.
posted by 8603 at 4:56 AM on June 6, 2021
posted by 8603 at 4:56 AM on June 6, 2021
Response by poster: Thanks for your input everyone. Passing this on!
posted by PHINC at 12:26 PM on June 6, 2021
posted by PHINC at 12:26 PM on June 6, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by epj at 1:57 PM on June 5, 2021 [12 favorites]