[rescue me]

I have a friend who lives with me and cannot work -she filed for social security disbalbity over 2 years ago and checks her status regularly. She recently found out she was denied again and told she had refile and resubmit and in Texas the average is 2-5 years and it has been 2 years already--she told now it could be antoher 2-5 years. She cannot collect welfare or get medical help at all it seems since she has filed for disalbity. Living with family was not an issue and since she was a friend let her move in with me-- I give her a roof over her head and make sure she has food to eat but can't do much else. They basically told her since she single white older woman with no kids she will be lucky if she gets it. She has hard time getting into a doctor because they will not see her unless she pays up front even though she tells them the situation. Unless death situation she is not able to get help. She is fusturated and I am to -- I live on tight fixed budget and work two jobs just to make ends meet--and have no where to turn. I am scared one day I will come home and find her dead because she can not afford the 1500 a month in meds the doctor requires and I can't pay it and with no help she can't either. She drives out of state to an old family doctor cause he the only one who see her and not charge her I only have the one car and she uses it and I take several day vacation and stay home so she can go. Where do you turn for help when the ones who are suppose to help cant--she was a EMT and paramedic for years and lost everything --home--savings--retirement all due to illness and now still can't get help--so what are the options--attorneys want 20 percent up front and 40 percent collected going same channels but dragging it out. I get 4 hours sleep night because of working and with two jobs only make 1600 a month. I have benefits and recent doctor visit for me said slow down or have stroke or heart attack--but if slow down loose what little I have--so where do you turn when denied how do you get help--she told that she can go into shelter if there is opening but since I let her live with me it my responsiblyt to feed and make sure she has what she needs. I have given up--and figure in the next 6 months based on last health check going pace I am I will not have to worry cause will be dead and not have to worry anymore in the upcoming months--

[Mapleleafpete]

Wow that sucks.1st off you are truly a good friend,wish I had a good friend like you.I don't no what to say except good luck.I live in the greatest country in the world,canada.

Its hard to get a disabilaty pension here also but at least it doesent cost us a dime to see a doctor or surgeon,specialist.I have a few friens that are on a disabilaty pension and if I remember correctly it took them less than a year to get it.

If all the test from doctors come back showing a illness it is given. I wish you and your friend the best of luck and sorry I can't help.

[homebirthmom]

Oh, wow honey, I don't know how much I can help, but I've been in your position before, except the disabled person is my mom. I live in Washington, so the laws are a bit different. The main thing is DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!
Most people I've found have to apply for SSD between 2-4 times, and not wait too awefully long between applications. Yes, it's a lot of paperwork, but it may pay off. Also, it never hurts to apply for state help, even if you were told once not to because it won't do anygood. Remember laws are constantly changing, most of which we don't know about. All I can say is apply for whatever you think you've got the time to deal with... also, look into your local chapter of Community action.. They may have other ideas to help you out.
Good luck to you and your friend.

[twinkiedooter]

Once you have been turned down by Social Security Disability a person can be represented by an attorney. The disability attorneys do not charge up front fees but get their fee paid from the settlement once the disability is approved. Look in the yellow pages for disability attorneys. Have never heard of a disability attorney charging up front fees for a disability case.

Is your friend at least able to collect Food Stamps?

[rescue me]

My friend was told she could collect food stamps but when went to apply was told that I made too much money. She lives with me so they figure I work therefore I should feed her even though she not a relative . I feel like a yoyo-- I have no social life and forgot what one was-- the only pleasure I have in my life is my horse which I go out and hug on and bawl on everyday these days.
The attorneys for social security that are there to help you -tell you they make more the longer it drags on--she has an attorney and we looked for another one but stuck with one she applied with at first because no choice really. Have to wait about another 6 months for her go back for physical they require to one of their doctors because her doctor changed her medications. So we wait again-- and this is their normal process -- so where do you go and where you do turn when there is no place to and the ones who are suppose to help basically tell you that if they wait long enough the person either gets job or dies which is what they are hoping for so they don't have to pay. One of the workers told her that she should get married and she would be ok--well kind of hard to find someone when you swollen all the time and have so many medical problems. She was an EMT and Paramedic for almost 15 years and lost it all. The good thing is I guess when have heart attack or stroke from all the work if lucky she can save me so I can keep working so don't lose what I have.

[Fr_Chuck]

Ok, you have to show her as a renter, not part of your household, your income should not be included then,

Basically find some people who know the system and find out how they claim and get all they do. Show her as renting a room for 100 or 300 dollars a month, also since she is behind on rent if the day ever comes you have to evict, that gives you some reason.

Then as a single person living by thierself, in a rented room, they get more welfare of all types.

[homebirthmom]

Also, don't hesitate to write to the state ombudsman, senators, state reps, and the governor if need be. You'd be surprised at how fast something's happen when you involve the really higher up people.

[rescue me]

I just don't think that it right that a person that works all their lives and does everything they are suppose to and contributes to the system and they always promise it there when you need it fails. There is a lot of red tape and such but they question themselves--my room mate was told to go see one of their doctors--the normal wait for this is usually 6 months to a year--we are back waiting again for their doctors--last time they sent her to three of their doctors and they all came back with the same findings over the course of the year. I feel if you contribute your whole life into something then you should be able to use it if you are in need. I saved and did everything I was suppose to and what do I have to show for it savings wise--NOTHING---my retirement and everything gone---thanks to stock market and we are told it will come back--yeah right---I have come to the conclusion that no one will be there and never rely on anyone but yourself to survive cause if you do then you are going to be disappoointed. If my room mate lucky in antohter 2-5 years if there is any left she can collect than great otherwise no one knows what is going to happen in the future if we even have one to look forward to---thank God I was taught how to survive off the land because I feel that although we are in another depression that no one is going to be able to recover from this one ----

[excon]

Are you asking the government (we the people) to save all these problems?

Hello montel:

Yup. That's exactly what I think. What do you think the government job is? In my view, it's to provide a safety net. People have a right to health care. People shouldn't be on the streets in the richest country in the world.

excon