[samson64]

I am on disability a fixed (low!) income and on probation for DUI, I am staying out of trouble and having not missed an appointment or the probation fees and trying my best to fulfill the other mandates. I live out in the country with very limited and unreliable transportation options. The court mandated the standard penalties on me (i.e. 1yr probation, DUI school, driver improvement courses, community service, fines, and other financial mandates). I asked my PO if I could do the DUI school and driver improvement online (these are provided and suggested to me in the papers I was given from the court), my PO told me that I could not do them online and then told me to go to a specific school to do them, knowing that I can't get there or afford the cost. I also have to do community service hours but all of the places I was told to go to only seem to need labourers and physically capable persons, (it seems that no one has a light duty or sit down job for me in order to do my hours). My PO also keeps threatening to violate my probation if I don't do things their way (also know that if I am violated and jailed for over a month, I will lose my medical and disability benefits and have to fight for a long time to try to regain them also losing any source of income and subsequently housing and other basic needs.
Now to my question, is there some other ways I can complete my probationary commitments or get them waved under special circumstance in order to retain my medical and other benefits? Also, if I am violated and lose what benefits I do have, I will just become another drain on the government and local recourses that could be better used for other families in need.

[ewhitlock83]

While I do not have a specific answer to your question Samson, I just want to say, I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I too am on disability (specifically SSI) and it's ridiculous the many things we are blocked from doing or unable to do that a working stiff would consider necessary to living. I can't even afford my car, because I'm 26, only had my license for a few months, and my insurance is astronomical. Low insurance is offered in my state but, guess what? You have to have your license for 3 years to qualify! Also, my state recently affected changes to our medical program, removing vision and dental services completely. Like life isn't hard enough for those of us on a limited income, the government and law enforcement agencies have to go an make things worse?! Once again I just want to say, I feel your pain!