How Does ANYONE Survive On $700 A Month From SSI?

Matthew Cortland of Data for Progress explains the crippling drawbacks to Supplemental Security Income, stemming both from U.S. cultural aversion to social safety nets and recent targeting from the right, including a maximum monthly supplement at a rate well below the poverty line and absurd qualifications that prevent disabled folks from saving assets for a rainy day or accepting help from friends unless they are willing to sacrifice their social security.
Watch the full interview » • SSI, Right To Repair +...
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THUMBNAIL: via ‪@CBSMornings‬ - What happens when someone loses disability insurance? • What happens when some...

[@SmoothRiker]

And yet the myth that recipients are living some kind of cushy life off the backs of hardworking folks is as strong as it ever was

[@templarw20]

@@mjchakos1 ANY public benefit program. The "Welfare queen" racism, the idea that any group is living off the government/public, the idea that disabled people should be doing or not doing anything, ALL OF IT is the same thing.

[@KognitiveGaming]

No one takes into account the fact that these people who have mental issues while on SSI/SSDI have to fight every day in their own head to establish their value to themselves, let alone to other people/society. I know that in my experience of not being a worker anymore made me feel like i was useless and worthless. I think thats the culture of capitalism for you.

[@astolfothelyfer369]

@@KognitiveGaming yup

[@astolfothelyfer369]

@@KognitiveGaming :()

[@raphiellebugatti1575]

even if they were abled people need to shut the fuck up

[@fighttheevilrobots3417]

Let's remember that the fascists can NOT imagine how human life could have value outside of the labor they perform/endure.

[@GetH0NEY]

This goes for Capitalists and Conservatives.

[@963ag]

Exactly! Look at history - the Nazi's T-4 program. Although things are not as horrid, in 2023 America, the mentality is similar - of who is considered "deserving, worthy, productive, " etc.

[@kaybrown7733]

I'm so glad someone is talking about this. The way SSI keeps folks living in the worst places in america should be illegal. Unless you are smart and get a lucky break you're stuck in poverty.

[@atomicknight63]

Also, you can't have any assets. You can't own a home or a car. You have no choice but to rent.

[@MrMasterDebate]

@@atomicknight63 funny how someone who has a safety net will be more likely to work and come off the program . Yet, they don’t care about that, this is punishment

[@lynnpayne9519]

SSI recipients live in areas full of felons and drug addicts. They are treated like the scum of the earth just for daring to be disabled.

[@pikachuthegayatheist6215]

It's unconstitutional by definition, but no one has the ability to challenge it in court, because everybody who has the ability so they can't pay a property lawyer.

[@pikachuthegayatheist6215]

@@atomicknight63 Actually that's not true they do let you own a car and a home, but it is regulated. Houses and cars are usually passed down through will's, and assets that are will's as the guy said here families will usually get lawyers to have them protected. But SSI does allow for one maintain property and one car. Most people send disabled person to a group home because they're not able to take care of themselves.

[@orchidrose1410]

Meanwhile we’re throwing millions out to any corporation that has made poor business decisions and is now need a bailout instead of letting them go under. People on SSI have done nothing wrong to put themselves in a situation where they now need help

[@rini6]

I can think of only one thing to say. “The cruelty is the point.”

[@marvinmartion1178]

republicans are really sociopaths!

[@WarriorPaxo]

We live where cost of living is cheap. My brother is on this and if not for additional government plans for cheap housing, and food stamps it wouldn't be possible. And there is no saving for anything.

[@kaybrown7733]

I've seen this in my own family. It's just heartbreaking to see. They can't even get a part time job without them cutting the check down or off. But we'll give billions to corporations and call it subsidies.

[@kaybrown7733]

@@mjchakos1 oh no Congress would never stop giving money to their owners. In their mind that's blasfamy.

[@werdarastrix]

It's not even possible to save money, if the whole benefit check is spent a few days after you get it. After paying for rent and other monthly bills, plus "luxury" items like toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste, soap and new clothes, there's not much (anything) left TO save.

[@ratatoskt.silent3274]

A good friend of mine on SSI disability gets quite a bit less than the maximum mentioned, he's been selling his plasma a couple of times a week for years... vampire capitalism?

[@tropezando]

I seriously thought about doing this, but I couldn't because I was already thrashing my garbage blood at dialysis. That disqualified me. Can't do it after a transplant either.

[@sr2291]

Selling plasma counts as income.

[@RowenaSnow-px3jg]

You said it. If you have to sell blood to survive... yep, vampire capitalism.

[@captainspock6221]

nice to see this get some coverage. SSI and the medicaid they receive is always the first place the gop wants to cut.

[@KennedyIvy]

700$ is very good for doing nothing and living off taxpayer dollars.

[@atheistechoes9594]

I didn't know that this was being talked about but family is on poverty level.only getting 750 a month my gran gets a little more than i do i can barely afford rent

[@narrance]

@@KennedyIvy some people can't work.

[@pikachuthegayatheist6215]

@@KennedyIvy Every study shows that this whole thing about living off of free money is nothing but a lie. The reason being is at disabled people want to work, but employees don't want to hire them so they're forced to actually, so they're the most likely to force themselves into self-employment for various reasons, and conservatives don't they want people working the traditional paternalistic places of work where you're forced to work for an authority figure who just does nothing, but monetizes your labor for their profit.

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

@@KennedyIvy haha what a life to live 😎 NOW GET BACK TO WORK BOY AND MAKE MY MONEY

[@patricialovesmovement5659]

Thank you for this validation, SSI makes disabled people sicker

[@RowenaSnow-px3jg]

The disability penalty rules make people sick. If they would just get off our backs and let us try to do something, it would be a help rather than a hindrance.

[@metalbrainmextrememetalent6810]

Every person I’ve known on ssi had to pull something on the side that may or may not have been legal to get by.

[@juliacarl584]

Yes, I used to take care of other peoples kids.

[@keirfarnum6811]

If they can and aren’t too disabled. It’s an evil system.

[@Calimax91]

My sister was punished for years for many reasons. I could right a book. She got married. They bought this crap house in crap neighborhood. They lived there in poverty. Her husbands income was constantly in question. They took it away from her multiple times and she had to fight to “fix the problem”. So at one point she got her credit score up to 780. I was shocked she was able to pay everything off in collections. She applied for a house and they struggled to get approved because of her SSI income. They finally did and started buying a house. Well SSI wasn’t happy. They told her you can NOT own two properties. She either had to give her house away that she literally just moved out of and paid so much to fix up that was crap anyways, or get kicked off the program. The house wasn’t even worth $30,000. Can you believe that? They wanted to make sure she had NOTHING

[@justinm1476]

Wow damn that's sad they really shouldn't change the rules

[@jevelwilson]

It is literally a poverty trap and makes sure you cannot get out of poverty.

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

Facts and once you're on it, you don't know how tf to get off

[@Shannete572]

Yep it is

[@JeffreyBoser]

I am in that situation... My house is slowly falling apart, I can't afford to fix anything (no hot water, lots of leaking breaking roof), I can't afford to move.. medicaide recovery will take my house if I ever try to leave it. Thank god I have no mortgage, but I'm trapped.

[@juliacarl584]

I bought my house before I got hurt, so I am lucky I have a very low mortgage. But I still struggle everyday.

[@sherisworld8552]

I am in a similar position. My house is paid for, but my roof leaks and is falling apart. So many things need repairs. It is absolutely disgusting how disabled people are treated in this country.

[@sassynana5201]

There are housing support programs that can help. I got a $3000 furnace and weatherizing when I was on the dole. It’s connected to the fuel assistance money.

[@keirfarnum6811]

See if you can reach out to any organizations to help. Churches, unions, etc. you might find some people willing to donate time and materials. I hope you’re successful.

[@chucklebutt4470]

@@sassynana5201 Yeah, seconding this thought to look into weatherization and energy assistance programs. I help my mom file for stuff and we get her nearly a grand a year for heating and electric. They also replaced some old single-pane windows for free to make the place more efficient.

[@maramackay2887]

Poverty traps are everywhere. - I’m going over the top on this issue.

[@DarkKnightTrinity]

@@mjchakos1 Lol, sure, lots of people choose to be born with a disability. GTFO troll.

[@panpluto13]

@@mjchakos1 please categorize those that are and are not.

[@panpluto13]

@@mjchakos1 i like the list so far; let's keep going.

[@Calimax91]

I was that person at one time and the answer is: you don’t survive. I had to repay 2 months of it cuz I saved money for those 2 months to pay an electric bill so I could move while staying at my moms

[@narrance]

@@mjchakos1 without ssi and relying on the generosity of others. Which is barely living. 🤔

[@cynicalcriticofhousekeepin1881]

@@mjchakos1 she meant it in a sense that means you don't thrive.

[@brianzulauf2974]

@@mjchakos1 you are so cute have a cookie 🍪

[@narrance]

@@mjchakos1 how very pedantic of you. You don't think disabled people deserve the same opportunities that you do?

[@panpluto13]

@@mjchakos1 no, it's hyperbolic not disingenuous.

[@xdrazormon454]

SSI should increase to $1,500/month

[@bdjsjshhehehd8989]

And let disabled people save more than fucking $2000 in their bank

[@Fluffyk1ns]

This is exactly what my wife and I are going through. SSI sucks so much. I don't make enough to pay her medical bills and take care of both of us.

[@eskiemax5133]

SAME, GOD BLESS!!!❤❤❤

[@monicacalifornia9693]

I agree even if married the individuals should get their own check amount and not a reduced amount

[@Melbn-di6mi]

I'm so happy I made productive decisions about my finances that changed my life forever,hoping to retire next year.. Investment should always be on any creative man's heart for success in life

[@findingpath8362]

You're right, with my current crpyto portfolio made from my investments with my personal financial advisor Fergus Waylen, I totally agree with you ,

[@inicMich-rc5wo]

Yes I'm familiar with him. Fergus Waylen demonstrates an excellent understanding of market trends, making well informed decisions that leads to consistent profit

[@tryleraaron9244]

YES! that's exactly his name (Mr Fergus Waylen) I watched his interview on CNN News and so many people recommended highly about him and his trading skills, he's an expert and I'm just starting with him....From Brisbane Australia

[@AIIG-zd5dx]

Waylen has to be the best mentor I've met. He's copy-trading has been the best because I hop on it with $3000 and I'm up with $35,000 in profit. He's insights, information and versatility in the market is super ,

[@HLO-iy2bp]

I'm surprised that this name is being mentioned here, I stumbled upon one of his clients testimony on CNBC news last week

[@Occam31]

Simple, they don’t.

[@toecutterjones]

I hope congress includes ssdi because that's also poverty living.

[@judiecampbell3737]

SSI is a needs based monthly benefit

[@toecutterjones]

Thanks fact sheet.

[@lmg3]

Some comments below are referring to SSDI, Social Security Disability Insurance. This video is about SSI, Supplemental Security Income. The maximum monthly benefit for SSI is currently $914 after the recent Cost of Living Adjustment. This COLA increase, however, was not close to what the price increases actually were. They haven't been for the last 40 years, resulting in a massive erosion of purchasing power and leaving the program that was meant to keep people with disabilities out of poverty condemned to it. The host is correct in saying it is next to impossible to live, let alone save anything on SSI, but the low asset allowance is not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is housing. An SSI recipient's entire check is not enough to pay for a one bedroom apartment anywhere in the country, even if there was enough affordable housing, which there is not. The Section 8 housing program is dysfunctional. You have to wait years just to apply and then more years on a waiting list to get a Housing Choice Voucher. In my area the wait list just to apply has been closed for at least three years and the average wait list time for the voucher is another five years. People with disabilities will die waiting for this basic need. This is a stain on the moral character of this country, this willful neglect by the politicians and the people that vote for them and the majority of the media that refuses to report on it.

[@tiffany2015]

My parents, after being divorced since 1996, recently moved back in together because neither could live off of their disability separately. It's so very sad.

[@utahgetmetwo456]

I want to know what era in America was $790 as a monthly income enough to live comfortably. I just checked $790×12=$9,480 according to the wage index (AIME) in 1976 $9,226.48. That's staggering.

[@elizabethvascoe7830]

My friend has SSI and applied for food stamps and it's$15 monthly.

[@dronexfun8469]

I feel spoiled, they gave me $20/month.

[@jool7793]

A few years ago I was in a situation where I needed food assistance. The woman at the government office refused to even give me an application. Only by looking at me she had determined that I wasn’t worth the help. Ever since then I’ve hated all government workers.

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@jool7793 You’re kidding me! I know you’re not; but that’s ridiculous! Just by looking at you. That’s discrimination for sure!

[@Avrysatos]

They gave me $50. But since covid started they've been giving me the full $200 i could get as a single person in this state. I'm using some of it to stock up on canned goods so I can keep eating vegetables when they put it back down to 50. It's been nice to be able to have them.

[@jool7793]

@@keirfarnum6811 I wish i was kidding but its true.

[@narrance]

THIS GUY RULES. This is so true, the amount of shame and the terrifying nature of disability.

[@narrance]

@@mjchakos1 people like you do the shaming, so don't come in here with that pretend bullshit when you want to keep disabled people in poverty. ✌🏻

[@MrInternetMan]

They don't. My mom has been on SSI for over 20 years now and has to live in public housing and barely scrapes by.

[@toecutterjones]

And public housing is it's own nightmare.

[@MrInternetMan]

@@toecutterjones That it is.

[@genericamerican7574]

Wow, not easy to do dispite what some people want to believe.

[@jerryskidlsd]

I support myself and my partner on an 800 dollar disability check. Poor is an understatement

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

Lmaoooo

[@robinmccall4615]

May I ask how you do it? Thank you.

[@sablemae8853]

As someone who makes less than $900 after a back injury 8-9 years ago it's virtually impossible to survive. It sucks ass

[@juliacarl584]

I live on SS disability... You have to learn to hide what little you have. Here in Arizona there are seniors who live in the desert in broken down RVs and tents. Just the way it is... and it stinks.

[@freelanceappalachia7029]

Don't publicly incriminate yourself everything is tapped

[@mizzpariah2621]

Every time they raise ssi amount, my rent goes up triple that amount. Raising the amount to be livable will not happen untill ssi recipients aren't considered hustle targets from landlords and other scam artists.

[@billybigwig1154]

Thanks for this interview. Left is best.

[@maramackay2887]

Sam, have you been watching the situation with the PUA/PEUC/UI? For my family, when Covid-Kim from Iowa cut our PUA we, my daughter and I, went from $4,000 income (to cover our $3600+ bills) and we were dropped in 30-days, on a pandemic, while we were moving for jobs. Our income dropped from what we needed to $500 - Sam, people need to know about this too.

[@LyricalOutlaw]

Me and my fiancé aren’t even married yet and she was just told her son’s SSI was being cut. It’s a corrupt trap that hurts the disabled and restricts single mothers.. completely horrible that my step son of 5 years old has to suffer because his mother is getting married. Mind you even with me in the picture we’re still a single income home and that money goes to most of his medical expenses.

[@michaelmaynard937]

Me as a young adult with SSI with a worsening relationship with relatives. I can never live on my own because of how much I make

[@awesomekmf20002003]

I only get $500 something a month. It’s insane.

[@charles4k8k]

Me to

[@michelletackett9489]

I know. I get SSI and if it wasn't for donations, I would be homeless. I can't do anything or I will lose my SSI. I don't know why people on SSI don't get $1,400-1,800 at least.

[@michelletackett9489]

@John-Paul Hunt I know. How sad.

[@michelletackett9489]

@John-Paul Hunt Yeah, it does.

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

It won't get up to that amount til like 2040

[@michelletackett9489]

@@Iknowyoumadnow Oh, I know.

[@chucklebutt4470]

I've been stuck in the SSI black-hole before, where if you make just a little too much at your job you end up losing all your help. Thankfully, my health has improved since then but it's really terrible.

[@plutomutt]

I just wonder why I'm supposed to keep on living when I know I'll never escape from this poverty. They want me to end my own life, that's the reason things are the way they are, to cull disabled people from the earth, and they are probably going to win and I'm probably going to die. 25 years of enduring nothingness and hoplessness so far and it just gets worse and worse and worse. I don't owe the world my life, I want the dehumanization and pain to end.

[@redxto274]

You're not alone my parents are on ssi and we've been trying to get out of a highly infested house which i hate so much..

[@Cadetx99]

I'm on ssi, you cant survive on it unless you have family or a spouse to help you out. If you dont have those things you might as well be dead.Its definitely a poverty trap. If it wasn't for my family I would be homeless right now. I was living in trasitional housing and my rent jumped when I lost my job then I had to move back with my family.Most of my income goes towards rent and other Bill's plus food. My income barely covers rent,food, necessities and other bills. That's why they encourage part time workers in this program but if you dont have the proper help then your stuck. Social security is no type of security like they promised. I'm pretty sure the government doesn't care. SSI sometimes doesnt help families already living in poverty. This program makes it hard for families to go back to college or learn a trade to get off of the program.

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

Yup, once you're on it you're stuck.

[@OurResistance]

I hear you! SSI is not enough to live on. However, there are a few reasons why I believe that they will never increase it! The powers that be, want to make absolutely sure, that a person on SSI would never ever be able to save up enough to escape their life of poverty! This mandate to prevent people from escaping a life of poverty transcends party lines, meaning that even the Democrats are prohibited from increasing SSI! That is why I will be voting for Trump!

[@thorlove6050]

I was told if I make more than $100 a month I will lose SSI or if I work steadily for more than 9 months. Every penny I make would be deducted from the monthly amount How do you still qualify, working part time?

[@raymondleggs5508]

Comfort the rich mistreat the poor and disabled, that's the GOP way.

[@gabeasher187]

The majority of these people I'm sure don't even have a bank account to "save".

[@genericamerican7574]

You cannot especially with a bank account. They call often to ask if I own anything that is worth more than 2k, if I have any trust, if anyone laoned or gave me money, if I am hiding money under my bed, etc.

[@marvinmartion1178]

Yea save,WITH WHAT? MONOPOLY MONEY?

[@astolfothelyfer369]

@@genericamerican7574 I would blow my 🧠 out and call it a day if I had to live like a prisoner might have well came to my house and searched me damm im ready to leave this fake vision of a world sometimes Believe me I know how you’re feeling I have many things that I cannot even really tell people about because everything is so backwards I just need to get off the grid already

[@sr2291]

We have to have bank accounts to get our money direct deposited every month. I have 2 checking accounts but I can't save more than 2000 in both of them.

[@Aprilshowtime]

I have a friend that goes through this. EVERY month she cries bc she struggles so bad and is a single parent. Then every year with any type of increase they reduce her stamps. So you have a disabled single mother in a wheel chair who can’t get disability to TRY and do better bc she don’t have enough work credits trying to survive on this money while raising two kids. It’s almost understandable why some people choose the wrong way to try to and make it. Thank you for shining light on this!!!

[@patriciaholloway]

It's awful. I'm actually on disability and have SSI. Except my state doesn't pay SSI. It did entitle me to get help paying the Medicare premium (I was forced to get Medicare). My rent is through the roof, going up $100 per year when I'm receiving only about $32 ❤COLA increase. I cry often because the stress of rising utilities and rent and not being able to afford necessities, let alone wants. I raised 3 kids by myself while dealing with my two disabilities before I officially had disability from Social Security. I was constantly sick and in pain, at the ER with my kids. Man, do I understand the struggle. My last job was in 2018, only made $10.74 per hour and now my income for the rest of my life is based on that paltry figure. People tell me all the time that I can work but it's not true. They take your benefits. I would lose my insurance and disability protection. The first time I had a problem.... from working!.... I'd be fired. I was always being threatened when I did work. I just had a full physical review last year. They said I can't even take college classes. So no, can't work either. It's difficult to stay in a good place mentally. And Republicans always trying to cut what we do have.

[@ronrice2249]

On money like that, you don't even survive; you just exist.

[@bradmiech5743]

Over 50 years working, paying S.S. currently receiving just over $1.100 a month. Rigged systems, Rigged when? Same families in power then and now. Generational system.

[@rongant9097]

You can't save ..you can't fix your car ..you can't buy enough food for the month you can't fix your heater or buy oil fuel..And today you are 1 Step from homeless..hope ?

[@xactarma]

I used to be on SSI for years and it was rough luckily since my disability happened to me at 20 they were able to put me on regular disability Under my dad's social security.

[@sonestia777]

This is a problem that needs to be FIXED! it’s unacceptable and we can’t survive 😒 it’s horrible but when you need Medicaid what do you do?

[@Coco-gc3pu]

If your on ssi you get medicaid

[@dianagorden9171]

Being on SSI has ruined things for me financially. This program needs a major overhaul all beneficiaries can’t live like this . They are killing me off, living below poverty

[@mikenorton632]

I was on disability, it took several months to get approval, a month later they sent me a check for the time between applying and approval, they said it wouldn't count against the $2,000 limit. 6months later they declared that I was ineligible for the time my bank account was over the limit, so they docked my checks for a year to repay 2 months of benefits. ALWAYS keep all records and names when dealing with a government agency for at least one year for your protection.

[@xdrazormon454]

They need to increase the limit or get rid of it because you're living a communist life financially

[@skyereeves7014]

The honest answer to that question Sam is they do things that are illegal like dealing. Prescription drugs were a huge problem in my hometown and most of the dealers were older disabled people.

[@juliacarl584]

YEP!

[@1Hol1Tiger]

I'm glad more pepole are talking about this, because....they treat you like you're on probation and give you peanuts, and if you do anything to escape.. you lose what little is keeping you alive.

[@bankrollkaine]

I get 914 a month but that’s still not enough especially living in a rent of 1000$ home. Sometimes it questions me that on how we’re supposed to live like that especially with house mortgages so high. This is not enough money!

[@sarahconoir]

Thank you for covering this! We need the boot off our necks

[@SepherStar]

This is less than what they paid 20 years ago in my state, and since then, the cost of living has increased drastically.

[@BillyWarpinjur]

Just plain CRUEL treatment

[@rogerboswell5483]

I was shot on my leg when i was nineteen years old. I couldn't walk for almost a year then limped when i did i couldn't feel the bottom of my foot it hurted.. I tryed to get ssi back then ans was told no i can't get it.. I had to sell blood plasma for only five then ten dollars each week in Minneapolis on lake street on crutches. Then i got a job my foot started to hurt so bad i had to call in and got fired i never told no employer about my foot because i wouldn't get the job.. I had jobs i liked then had to quit. My longest job was a bobcat driver i didn't have to Walk on my foot.. I remember i never had no money after i was shot for years Only blood plasma money 15 dollars a week.. Then when i was 50 i got ssi and my own place 😊 I was also a single dad for 17 years i have an auto body deploma but nobody would hire me because i am a full blooded native.. I am still here i am alive i don't drink alcohol or do not hard drugs.. I was told i should of been getting SSI years and years ago.. Why do they reject everyone? I didn't know that before i could of got s lawyer.. My story...😊

[@cilismoniker7322]

A bunch of "just doing my job" people going along with the federal government, because they get paid regardless of how many people they help or don't help. The asset limit hasn't changed since 1979, the year it was implemented. That should tell you everything.

[@SandfordSmythe]

For an injured leg?

[@ztca142]

I'm blind and have been since birth. I've been on SSI for as long as I can remember. We've never been able to save or work to get ourselves out of poverty. I didn't choose this, but it's the only thing barely keeping me afloat. I finally became employed just over a year ago and here is the fun part. IF I make $300 in a month, they ignore the first $85 but after that they reduce your benefit $0.50/$1 you earn. So 2 months down the road I can expect a reduction of $107.50 which granted still puts me in the net positive, but greatly diminishes my work that i'm doing to try to supplement my $9,528 a year. I can't get on proper dissibility of SSDI which has much more lax policies that would allow someone a bit more financial freedom until i've atleast worked and pay in for 5 years. I think of all of this as the housing authority puts out the out of reach report that says someone working 1 full time 40 hours a week minimum wage job cannot affort a meager apartment in the entire country which would pull in $13,920 per year. my mother and brother are also on SSI and we all agree that it's a system that keeps you in the dirt.

[@PamelaRP]

It just not want to keep you in the dirt but WANTS EVERYONE ON IT IN THE DIRT. Especially my friend who is paying for something she never ever ever did CP which is genetic. The conservators have the slow and cp victims and are making millions from them of the SSI system who wants individuals and their service animals TO DIE. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lynnkelley9259]

i fought for 6 years ,to get 500 a month with a child

[@DarkKnightTrinity]

Here in Canada, ours is a little more for people on disability payments (like 1200) but they do screw you if you get married or have any income whatsoever. And 1200 is still far below the poverty line.

[@Rvnmoon111]

SSDI is about just as BAD & No one ever acknowledges SSDI.

[@KognitiveGaming]

im on it and its garbage. Not to mention how hard i had to fight to actually make it happen...

[@NocturnalRS]

Sometimes the disability is society it's self.

[@treyweeeee]

I'm disabled and this is never made sense to me, if you're disabled and you need help and you've managed to get onto this abusive system. They give you so little even though there is enough money in the budget to completely change that and give us a livable wage but, again, I want you to think about that, the people who really need help regardless of if the social security system gets abused or not, it's neuronius, if people need help, why does it make sense to put a limit on how much they can own but for people like let's say, Steve jobs or any other individual that went from a general middle-class experience to some of the most elite and riches individuals on this planet. Why do they not have a cap? Like, why does it make sense to make sure that someone who is disabled and needs help can only own up to $2,000 when, let's say, I was able to afford a car, which I'm not, I know someone who has a truck and their trucks transmission went out and that was going to be $3,000+ for them! I thought to myself, see, even if I got a car handed to me for free, if something went wrong with that car, I wouldn't be able to afford to fix it. Like, I just had to do emergency dental work on my dog and that cost me over $1,000 that I have to pay my vet back slowly because they understand that I and disabled and unable to work. I am very FORTUNATE to have a local business treat me so kindly. That is not how the rest of the world works. I can't imagine someone else in my situation needing to pay that all up front!

[@sbclaridge]

The $2000 resource limit has not changed since 1989. That transmission repair would have cost less than $3000 in 1989... but it's not 1989 anymore. Congress intended SSI recipients to have the ability to save some money to cover emergencies, but the resource limits no longer serve this purpose. Inflation is very real; SSA and state Medicaid agencies are forced to administer rules disconnected from simple economic reality. People with disabilities, and their allies, need to take to the streets and demand change... perhaps the media would finally pay attention to this (largely silent) crisis if people put the same energy into this as we saw in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder (obviously I'm not calling for riots here, that's counterproductive). Let's keep in mind that disabled people are dying because they can't get the resources they need to survive, and the outdated criteria (etc.) are disenfranchising the community both financial- and employment-wise. Demand the SSI Restoration Act, and/or that state Medicaid agencies update outdated criteria and index them to inflation (they'll need to request waivers from CMS for this).

[@963ag]

Although this is from a year ago, with the rate of inflation, the COLA raise bringing it up to $914 is inadequate. This is forcing the most vulnerable to struggle significantly below the poverty level. This needs to be addressed by politicians, activists and lawyers - yet we are forgotten about, disregarded as the lowest level of society. Many argue that those on SSI never worked, and don't deserve more! WRONG! Many on SSI have post graduate university degrees, some are even honorably discharged veterans, yet because of an unpreventable accident or illness had to leave the workforce. The way work points are calculated is unfair, if anyone worked as a caregiver for a family member, and then they themselves got ill, they get nothing! Those in many gig jobs, artists, those working " under the table" get nothing! Those who had lived and worked abroad for years, get nothing! etc. I hope that with discussions on Social Security reform in ( 2023) this too, will be discussed - but I seriously doubt it.

[@Lisa-eo9gd]

I receive SSI. I try to keep my car in good working order. I am afraid I may have to live in it one day. Did you know that you can make a nutritious fish broth for almost free? Just ask the fresh fish seller for fish heads, etc. Then you can simmer it up and strain it. Sip it or add vegetables to make soup. I am always challenging myself to find extremely inexpensive or free ways of getting what I need. There is a lot near my home that has hickory trees on it. I harvest the nuts. There is a family owned fruit stand where I get the "ugly" apples for free. Etc. I scour the internet for good ideas. I wish I had a group of local people who would brainstorm with me for more local solutions.

[@pwk22]

If someone is providing you a place to stay, you can lose a third of your SSI. But the good news is the loss is only $264 per month.

[@STAWSKINATOR]

I’m on SSI and the only way I can have more that $2,000 in resources is with something called an ABLE account that you can put up to $15,000 a year into from any source. There’s a catch, the onset of your disability has to have occurred before the age of 26. The money in the account can only be used for what is considered a ‘qualified disability’ Also, you’re not allowed to have more than $100,000 in it at any time in order to remain on SSI. I do get Medicaid while being on SSI, but it can be a pain trying to find a doctor that takes the plan. I have lucked out though and found a good primary care doctor that has easily directed me to all the specialists I have to see for my disability. Overall, SSI is way too punishing of a program for people with disabilities.

[@ztca142]

Hey, could you point me in the right direction to get one of those? It could really help out me and my family

[@sr2291]

Able is changing the age to 46 in 2026.

[@ericmacrae6871]

As a welfare recipient for 2 years here is Canada I am always so outrage when I hear a comment from the right that says that people on welfare are worthless and somehow robbing from the system. I literally only had 600$ A MONTH to pay whatever. I can tell you that 600$ does not give me any real freedom at all.

[@thorlove6050]

Yet in America it's the left that have instituted the soul crushing rules that we have to live by to keep our SSI. Both sides are doing the same thing.

[@Oscar-gq4ro]

I get a bit less than twice that on VA disability and it's a fucking struggle. I can't imagine being able to get by on half.

[@ElizabethEatsLowCarb]

It's not livable,you can't live off this much every month,it's not even enough for rent in most houses or apartments,I really need a job

[@Rvnmoon111]

Its horrible & no way to get ahead.

[@thelostonetxt8450]

It's $941 a month now I can't even rent an apartment let alone live a fulfilling life the only reason I'm ok is because at 20 I'm living with my mother and I occupy my mind with being a full time student I can't save I can't even have a lot of what I want in general without help from family and friends

[@jessetorres8738]

In regards to implementing a U.B.I. policy here in The United States, I personally believe we should base it on the poverty level; what the yearly poverty level is (about $12,800), divide that by 12, give all American citizens above the age of 16 the payment every month, and every 5 to 10 years update the amount to the current poverty level.

[@philhunt26]

And capitalists wont jack up prices immediately? Really?

[@philpottkentucky4802]

$12k a year is ridiculously low. The poverty level is really about $35k per year.

[@philhunt26]

@Gage Acosta Capitalism will always fail without checks and balances. Cost controls and regulation are what keeps our system humming. Or, at least it did until Reagan came along.

[@Debate_everything]

if you want to prove the conservative party wrong on gov intervention then we need to pass laws that do not support keeping people in poverty SSI as he says like other safety net programs can and do keep people from going fwd because they are designed to contain them in it not by personal choice but by the fact that any advancement they might have the chance for IE a slightly better job means they lose more finically then they gain

[@HokieD1993]

Insanity

[@bigdogandrew7108]

Good information

[@AnimaSeverem]

Small note to make: If your disability has affected you since before age 26, you can open a 529 ABLE account and save up to $15,000 a year without having it be counted against you.

[@TobyFloof]

I have SSI it's $841 now but I still don't have enough money for a room

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

It's only slowly increasing every year, it will be 2026 by the time it gets to 1000k

[@lewa3910]

This is horrifying

[@seethransom]

I used to be on SSI. It was very tough. You are punished for working part time. You have to rent awful people with a bunch of roommates. It was harder to get off of SSI than it was to get on.

[@robinbennett484]

My autistic/PDD adult son was offered by SSI 490 a month to live on. i disputed it and got it up to 590 it was ridiculous. My son had to exit school before his 22 yr old I'm a single parent could not hold a job once he was out of school I had no income & had to live on 590 a month i had to take early pension so i only got 300 a month we lived on 890 link card medicaid & had to put property taxes on my credit card

[@sr2291]

Pass the entire SSI Restoration Act not just pieces of it.

[@rachelosborne5982]

There's a thing called an ABLE account. There are certain rules on when you can start an ABLE account, but if you have one you can save up to $100,000 and it not get counted against you for your SSI.

[@targetedbythepsychworld]

Thanks. I never heard of this before.

[@cilismoniker7322]

Unfortunately the rules are pretty shit for ABLE. If you're someone that worked for 16-22, then you try to go to college, your work credits expire. You then further lose out because now you don't qualify for SSDI, and only SSI. Finally, because you didn't know you had become too disabled to work before the age of 26, and you only find out after you try to re-enter the workforce after age 26, you're disqualified. If you get disabled at 30 and don't have work credits because your spent your 20s being a stay at home mom, and then the husband kicked you out, you also can't get ABLE. Able is 26 and under at onset of disability, only.

[@OurResistance]

I am not going to say that ABLE is garbage, but most people are not eligible and I believe you cannot use it to pay for living expenses. I believe you can only use it for approved medical expenses.

[@rachelosborne5982]

@@OurResistance No its for anything the person needs that has the able account.

[@PamelaRP]

My friend I had to tell off today. She is letting her evil sister take advantage of her and not give her ANY MONEY NOW. She has two cats and not one cat. One cat is starving and dying of cancer. She will not pay for any vet care for the cat. The other one she said she would pay for only and the other cat had to die at home in her arms when he needs to go to vet. He has bad claws and bad teeth. Evil sister in Portland is making my friend pay for 1. Having CP from birth 2. The one cat was her ex boyfriends cat and she hated him 3. She has her down to $20 a month only for the things food stamps cannot buy. 4. She is being penalized because she did not work at all and pay the 6.2 percent into the system. Also sister said that she was tired of my friend getting SSI because her and her husband had to work hard with their business and that she should get nothing for free. that is shy she is getting my friend down to $0 money now. Evil sister is evil and jealous and tnink wants her dead as well as both cats. I give her bottles but that will only come to about $5. I cannot help her any more because I am on SSDI and my rent went up 14.6 percent here in Oregon. I told her to stand up and tell her that she was not going to take being treated like shit any more. They argue constantly in the store because her sister says I am not going to pay for this and I am not going to pay for that and I am not going to pay for this either. I told her off today because I have never known anyone in a situation like this where she has to get 30 food boxes a month to survive because sister is denying her many many goods and services. Then she says "Oh are you going to go blow it all now" When it is my friends SSI money. Mow evil sister has her down to $20 for the entire month plus $143 in SNAP when inflation is up 17.5 percent. She knows the 16 year old cat is dying and if the truth were known did something to him. I told my friend not to tell sister that my neighbor gave me wet cat food and I took it over to her in Portland and she told her and then said to my friend that 12 cans was enough for 28 days in the month. She told her anyway and sister said she would sell it on ebay or take it to another food bank leaving my friend with NOTHING. My friend has 0 NOTHING NOW. Sister is EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL. She wants my friend to die as well as both of her cats and wants it to be soon. Sister has brainwashed her to believe she is nothing and deserves nothing. Congress is not going to do shit and you guys know Congress is not going to do shit. If it takes the rest of my life I am going to pray evil sister gets the KARMA SHE DESERVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help all SSI recipients please. Poverty is a huge understatement. It is a way of life and a existance. Sister is EVIL EVIL EVIL EVIL..It is just a matter of time before evil sister gets the KARMA she deserves. If it takes the rest of my life I will not rest till this evil sister gets the KARMA she deserves for wanting her own flesh and blood dead. She is penalizing her and her 2 cats where one has cancer and the system is penalizing her for not working and paying the 6.2 percent into it and her employer not paying into it for her because she did not work. Poverty is a 24-7 existence for my friend and so are food banks. She has to go at 7am in the morning and stand in line with the hispanics because they cannot get food stamps because they are illegal aliens. she gets bad food that is crummy and does not taste good and now that evil sister has got her down from 100 a month to $0 dollars a month I do not know what she will cut next? she really does want her own flesh and blood dead. I am sure of that. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No NEEDS or GA program or whatever it is called should have to have a system where someone can be treated so horrible and like shit. Help her and all of these recipients please!!!!!!!!!! Evil sister will be screwed totally when my friend dies in 7 or 8 years and she will get jack crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SSI is a total existence and a way of life and not just a payment. Evil sister will not have crap in just a short number of years and will be 1000 screwed then and she will NOT HAVE MY FRIENDS INCOME AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also once a year the court that deemed you control over my friends money and SSI in Portland demands an accounting of her money and you have to prove that you are providing her needs. You are not by only giving her $20 to $40 a month for stuff SNAP does not buy. Also her cats are service animals and you have to feed them and you are not. By her going and living out of food boxes 24-7 she is not getting her needs met from you at all. The court and judge is going to laugh in your face evil sister and when she passes away in 5-7 years you will not have a pot to piss in. yOU WILL HAVE NOTHING AT ALL!!!!!! SSI recipients needs are not being met. My friend in Portland needs are not being met because sister is keeping her under 2000 in income and assets for the entire year. Talked to her today and neighbor had a huge bag of cans and bottles for her and my friend says 'I am going to tell my sister you gave me the bottles the other day and the cans when you come Saturday. she said you cannot bring them to me on lift since she comes and gives me $20 on fridays. But she is down now to $60 a month and not $200 like it used to be and is going down by the month in 2023, she said sister will be back from at the beach Thursday night and those 4 days stayed in the best hotel there for 4 days. My friend said that she was never going to the beach again since her husband had his knees replaced in June and that she needed to take care of him. Evil sister 1000% lied and is going for 4 days this week and staying in the most expensive place in Cannon Beach. My friend has never been anywhere except to scatter her mom's ashes when she passed away in 2010 and she was the mother who smoked and my friend got CP from in the womb Evil sister conservator is a big liar and of course is going to spend my friends money when my friend is living on a sub poverty existence of less than $2000 for the entire year and sister is misappropriating my friends money. My friend is starving and her cats are starving while this witch is living the high life here in Portland Oregon. Evil sister before long is going to get the KARMA she really really deserves soon. Unfortunately this is more and more common these days. It has got to the point that my friend may have to steal it is sooooooo bad. Help her and SSI recipients that are treated like shit and lied to by this evil evil conservator sister that is a bitch. People on SSI do not make 914 a month. It is less than 2000 for the entire year counting everything but the SNAP. benefits. That is way way less. The 914 pays their rent and bills but it does not come close when one bedrooms rents are 1200 a month or more in Portland. Sister on 7/14/2023 has got her down to $0 and no money. She was today supposed to give her $20 and said she was coming next friday and not 7/14/2023. she said that she did not deserve a thing. She brainwashed her and has got her thinking she deserves nothing. My friend did not give herself CP. Evil sister conservator I cannot wait till in 2 years you will be on SSI and having to stand in line all over Portland at food banks and knock on neighbors doors begging for cans and bottles and food. The $9 left from the vet visit is not enough to buy anything but trash bags. I hope you are satisfied evil conservator sister that you have her down to $0 money for stuff food stamps does not buy while you go to Seaside and stay in the best hotels and drive a new SUV and drink tons of beer and alcohol. social workers out there report this lady please. she has hurt my friend where she doesn't want to live any more. Sister evil conservator you will get instant KARMA very very soon. It is just a matter of time. You are an evil evil Witch. Hope you are happy now that you have my friend down to $0 a month for stuff snap does not buy. Unfortunately this is common among the disabled population. My friend cannot work and cannot because she is too sick. Even Safeway will not hire her. You are a witch evil sister and hope you get the KARMA soon that you deserve. Really my friend is living on $914 a month for the entire year and less than 2000 for the entire year. Evil sister conservator you are the most evil person that I have ever known in 59 years of being alive on this earth. How much lower do you want to go with my friend with CP? congress is not going to do shit but get in front of the camera and lie. Biden is a communist. Evil sister I think you are sick sick human being and you are not even that. You are a lifeform only. Horrible horrible person who is the devil in disguise.

[@OurResistance]

I'm sorry, but SSI is for needy people, not to give expensive treatments to pets. Honestly, if a pet develops cancer, just stop its suffering!

[@Flamester43]

You can survive on it. I have yet to find out how to live on it.

[@rockmetalgoddess5009]

We don't. I don't. I've been drifting in and out of consciousness for years! It did not have to be this way, for me. Also, the healthcare system failed me. I graduated from a community college in the midst of a breakdown and then flatlined. Still waiting for ⚖️! I just made my voice heard. Not easy. I did it though. Thanks for the TEXT info!

[@FrknRican86]

I get 794.00 a month and waiting for a transplant. I cant afford to live barley and have to afford my coupl thousand dollar aftercare. They said "start a go fund me". If I started a GoFundMe...they would take my insurance and ssi away. I have no option but not get a transplant. And since I need a transplant I am on a specific diet and I get $16 a month for foodstamps and food pantries dont offer the food I am allowed to eat. Oh,and to top that..the only place I can find around my doctor is $675 a month not including utilities. I've been on the waiting list for section 8 for 4 years. It's a trap. And I cant get out because my organs are failing and I have severe ptsd.

[@kmcq692]

Thank you

[@magicmike9374]

And why would you work they only let you work and make 85$ a month it’s ridiculous.We need to start are own country

[@magicmike9374]

And I’ve had epilepsy seizures since I was 17

[@Shannete572]

Me and my sister is SSDI forever and that’s not enough. It’s best to work for your stuff. That’s why my sis got of SSDI because she told me that it’s not enough at all. And I am trying to get of it too. When you on that you cant do shit,they only give individuals less, that would be gone by the time. It’s best to get paid every two weeks or weekly, not anyone can live of no 790 dollars and 914 a month, especially the way rent is in NYC? Nah section 8, SSI, and SSDI is a trap and they just want people to stay stuck on that. And it’s only going to get worst they want people to go out there and work, their investing on a lot of people especially if they been on it for years. Shit I rather have 105K or 95k then to be on SSI and SSDI, especially in black folks to, mothers having all these kids to put them on disbility that’s just crazy. And plus me and my sis has been on ssi for along time, we live in a tax credit apartment/ and have HUD section8 they told us that two people cannot go to college full time, because scholarships,stipend checks, living on dorm, working at the college, and tap and pell grants are considered an income,it has to be part time this is for the Low income housing tax credit LIHTC. And now for HUD section 8 the HOH cannot go to college full time our part time, because tap, pell grants, FAFSA, stipend checks, and scholarships are considered an income, because your SSN tells it all. We both went to court for that too, we made that mistake for telling them so now we know not to tell people are business, because they only want us to stay stuck on those programs, they don’t want people to work, or get an education, it is a trap to keep people in the shit hole so of course they don’t wanna see you do good. SSDI, SSI, HUD section8, LIHTC, and food stamps connects together. It’s rules and regulations when it comes to those programs, you can’t make a certain amount of money when you are on SSI/SSDI because they can cut you of and have to pay them back, you cant work overtime hours when you on HUD section8, you can’t go to school full day or part time, not even the LIHTC program and you will have to pay them back and could face eviction, we had no choice to keep are apt and we had it to dropped out of college to because of that. Uncle Sam wants to keep people in the shit hole and that’s how those programs works. And the way rent is in NYC and people getting SSI/ SSDI it’s no way in the world that you can pay rent with those checks every month like how? Even working people struggle to make ends meet too, you have to make sure your paychecks covers that rent, because you don’t wanna be put out of your place, it’s crazy, and me and my sis lives together we don’t have anyone to help us, because are mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and grandmother the only way we had SSDI is because we we’re living with are grandmother so that’s a different situation. Plus the money my sis makes is not enough to pay bills, and I will put down my half as much as I can too I feel like it’s both at the same time. Smh 🤦‍♀️🤬🤦‍♀️🤬 it’s not easy to get of it, because once you stuck on that, it’s over, a wise person told me that you have to make sure that it’s going to cover your whole rent, you don’t wanna be broke, you wanna have something for yourself, and plus when you have insurance from the jobs you work at and most of the insurances don’t cover a lot of things, and it has to come out of your Pocket, there are pros and cons to this.

[@Iknowyoumadnow]

You know you struggling any time you write a whole damn book about welfare.......

[@Greater756]

Ssi don't count grants or scholarships,

[@winninglifeyo]

Do you not understand why this makes sense? They are punished for being able to legally not participate in the slave labor system.

[@luxbledstone]

Im on forced poverty and yiu vsny accept donations or help unless its under the table amd i hate it so much

[@richard_the_explorer]

Considering rent around me being over $1000 per month for a small 1 bedroom so much for having a place to live

[@truthfinder4973]

Last year i had to pay 1300. Tax case my wife gets ssi and i did not even get 1 cent tax return.its wicked pep get a job they not helping you its to keep you poor.

[@back2the80s]

Unless you can work full time it’s not worth losing your ssi or ssdi. They do and will cut benefits if you work no matter what lies they say. Old bs laws from 1972. $2000 was a lot then now it’s peanuts

[@angiecotto9952]

I have been saying this to people that this program is a poverty trap .I do not recommend for the long run...but I also know it ain't worth working for penies consuming your time

[@qwerty36515]

This wouldn't be an issue if employers didn't discriminate against the disabled. Most of them want 24/7 availability and that's just not possible for people with health issues. It's "undue hardship" 🙄🙄 A lot of ppl on disability actually *want* to work, but can't because they need more time off than most. Job-sharing and a shorter workweek could easily help this but it's more beneficial for employers to hire as little as possible.

[@GazB85]

There's no link in the description?!

[@gumib7317]

Rent is $1200 a month inmost places

[@teamofone1219]

And most places require you to make double the income to.

[@pr3historic647]

Its not in the description?