SSI Reductions Begin Next Month (go bankrupt, income, taxes)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Den Mathias

I am surprised too how anyone could live in California on $900/ month! I notice you live in Arkansas and i suspect that it might difficult to live there on that amount.
Because of the State of the State, is the reason we see all of the "I am Leaving Cali" threads.
And, it seems to be getting worse every month!

It would be hard here, depending on what other Government assistance was available. I guess if you got food stamps or could go to a food bank every few weeks, lived in an area where double wides are the in thing (I am not be unkind by the way, I am being serious) and depended on medical assistance you could get by. Our granddaughter and her husband have been living in a little rental duplex with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, but it is small and in a pretty crappy neighborhood. The outside needs painting, the entire street is run down and it isn't terribly convenient. They are paying $600 plus they pay most of their own utilities. Of course the good news, they are settling on their new house next week. I only point these things out to make it clear, $900 a month even in ARK isn't much.

On the other hand, I realize the government can only do what they can do, if there is no money, they have to cut somewhere.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

You can't. There are a lot of people on SSI that live in motels or rent rooms because its not enough to rent an apartment, and even with the cost of room rentals (running abt 700 a month when I was) that doesn't leave much for anything else.

The problem with SSI (as adversed to retirement) is that working even part time, to make the money to fill in, can risk being approved the next review, especially when someone is looking for a reason to drop people. We have NO way of insuring those with pre-existing conditions and without state insurence (as poor as it is in many ways) there would be none for those who must have it. Because someone on SSI can work part time does NOT mean they can work enough to support themselves, but that is the risk being run.

Rather than being something people with health situations are rushiing to get, most people I know see it as the last refuge, since it precludes so much else and discourages trying to go forth.

In states with a much lower cost of living its a lot easier, but the limitations to doing better still exist.

I will differ with you on this and have before, we know a few people that are on SSI and do work part time. It is possible and acceptable. In fact my own father in law did for years. If they can work part time and collect SSI they can squeeze out a living. It isn't easy, but it can be done.

Nita

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by luv4550

Here is the Governors office phone number...Please call to voice your concern on this very serious matter!! 916-445-2841 I feel he need to get back to Hollywood and terminate them!! Arnold is making a complete MESS of California!!

I won't per se defend Arnold. But it seems the voters and citizens of California are to blame for decades of support (voting) for expensive programs via ballot initiatives and the politicians that run the state.

Arnold is but one person who on his own can only try to persuade people to do things as he wishes or veto the bills that come his way.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I won't per se defend Arnold. But it seems the voters and citizens of California are to blame for decades of support (voting) for expensive programs via ballot initiatives and the politicians that run the state.

Arnold is but one person who on his own can only try to persuade people to do things as he wishes or veto the bills that come his way.

In this case, we are discussing folks who are absolutely helpless, such as handicapped adults (suffering from conditions such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy). The state has already agreed to reduce their share of the monthly stipend from a measly $233 to $176, beginning next month. Now, Arnold has proposed reducing it to $156 per month.

This is in addition to eliminating all dental care for these handicapped and destitute folks.

[hoffdano]

My comment re: Arnold was not tied to this specific issue. The post said Arnold was making a mess of California. I assumed the post was a generic statement about Arnold. I think it is unreasonable to blame Arnold for decades of buildup to California's problems today.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

My comment re: Arnold was not tied to this specific issue. The post said Arnold was making a mess of California. I assumed the post was a generic statement about Arnold. I think it is unreasonable to blame Arnold for decades of buildup to California's problems today.

But for many it is easier to blame one person than to admit mistakes have been made for years. You are completely right.

Nita

[dweej]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

In this case, we are discussing folks who are absolutely helpless, such as handicapped adults (suffering from conditions such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy). The state has already agreed to reduce their share of the monthly stipend from a measly $233 to $176, beginning next month. Now, Arnold has proposed reducing it to $156 per month.

This is in addition to eliminating all dental care for these handicapped and destitute folks.

Here is the real tragedy: the small percentage of folks receiving SSI who really, really need it, such as those suffering from spina bifida and cerebral palsy, aren't going to receive as much as they deserve because the system is so weighed down by so many people who abuse it. Like the lady with "7 disabilities" who called the code enforcement department of the city where my husband works to report that her low-income housing unit would not replace her standard sized bathtub with a larger one that she could "get a good soak in". Or the guy who got pulled over for speeding in his souped-up race-worthy import car who said he has to get SSI because he "sat in a bad chair" at work. These are the folks we should be angry with. Not Arnold. Not "the state". They have no recourse but to cut services, and the fact that there isn't enough money to cover all the SSI needs in CA is the fault of all the fraudulent claimants who think there is unlimited free money to go to whomever is willing to fill out the paperwork. It is these lowlifes who are stealing the money from the people who are actually handicapped and are physically unable to work, and the lawyers who advise them to do so. Please....direct your anger and frustration at them!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dweej

Here is the real tragedy: the small percentage of folks receiving SSI who really, really need it, such as those suffering from spina bifida and cerebral palsy, aren't going to receive as much as they deserve because the system is so weighed down by so many people who abuse it. Like the lady with "7 disabilities" who called the code enforcement department of the city where my husband works to report that her low-income housing unit would not replace her standard sized bathtub with a larger one that she could "get a good soak in". Or the guy who got pulled over for speeding in his souped-up race-worthy import car who said he has to get SSI because he "sat in a bad chair" at work. These are the folks we should be angry with. Not Arnold. Not "the state". They have no recourse but to cut services, and the fact that there isn't enough money to cover all the SSI needs in CA is the fault of all the fraudulent claimants who think there is unlimited free money to go to whomever is willing to fill out the paperwork. It is these lowlifes who are stealing the money from the people who are actually handicapped and are physically unable to work, and the lawyers who advise them to do so. Please....direct your anger and frustration at them!

yep, you got that right. There are so many cases of people abusing the system, be it SSI, welfare or whatever. All of those who need assistance and all of us who are paying for it should stand together and fight. Of course what we should do and will do are two different things.

Look at Octamom, there is a perfect example of someone who blattenly abused the sytem.

Nita

[BayAreaHillbilly]

They are going after the line items that will generate the most outrage. Then, the public will be docile when the second attempt is made to raise taxes.

Why don't I see big cuts to CARB, Cal OSHA, etc?

[Synergy1]

I think all those that will get reduced monthly payments should move.....Move to Florida because our govenor CARES.....It appears that California is becoming just like Philly. A city that does not care about the senior citizens or disabled....What's next? Taxes to be applied on current taxes so the average senior citizen must do something else to survive.....

California is in a calamity, a crisis, a tight spot, in a corner or whatever else we can think about saying that equals a real mess.........Californians can thank the "Terminator".......

I am truly sorry for your problems and while we are retired living in Florida on $8.5k a month is just OK. I understand that California has a higher cost of living so then some of you good guys must be able to move to the East coast. Weather is great..... C.O.L. is lower than California..... Florida shows a lot of respect for Veterans too....


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