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Posted 5/24/2011 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Guess I am in a fighting mood today or something. But, I am going to take on the social security office this week!

As most of you will recall, hubby's SS benefits got cut effective 4/1/11 due to my unemployment income being "too high". Well, My unemployment benefits have run out, and I have not been paid for a full month in May....so, we are marching up to the SS office this week and I will show them that I no longer have income, and also show them I was only paid a couple of weeks in May. Hoping they will pay us for the portion of May that they owe us and get us on track for June! I was able to get hubby's seizure meds filled at Costco today at a fraction of what his normal pharmacy charges, so at least he has those. Incidentally, his pharmacy wanted $570 for a one month supply, and Costco charged me $29.....hmmmmm. shocked

Sorry for the rambling....but, do wish me luck w/ the SS office, I have a feeling I will need it smilewinkgrin

Mer

Posted 5/25/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, what a difference in price!! Whats up with that?

Good Luck at the SS office!!
Posted 5/25/2011 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck Mer!  Go get 'em!  I hope they go down easy for you.  Unemployment being too much income is totally ridiculous.  Can't believe that happened to you.

Emma

Posted 5/25/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I did not realise that Costco had a pharmacy in it as well.  We are having a Costco built near me at the moment (second one in Australia) and I can't wait for it to open.
Posted 5/25/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck Mer.........give a what for! It's totally wrong what they did to your husband. Glad you got the scripts cheap though.

Will be thinking a praying for a positive outcome..........
Posted 5/25/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, all!!! I just hate arguing with those people! They are underpaid, overworked and they just don't care!

Incidentally, FYI...you do not have to have a membership at Costco to get your prescriptions filled there. Not sure what the deal is with the price difference on th meds, but that's a whole 'nuther soapbox! LOL!

Mer
Posted 5/25/2011 5:15 AM (GMT 0)

Mer, very best of luck to you at SS!  The income you had this month...was it more than what he would get in a monthly SS payment?  If so, it's possible you would have to wait until next month...or have that amount taken out of his check, since they are treating you as a family.

As for the price difference, I know that independent "speciality" pharmacies charge much more than the chains.  But that does seem way out of line.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 5/25/2011 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
You should be fine at SS... they cant deny the facts... Sandi
Posted 5/25/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sandi!

It just feels like every time I try to talk to them they find some excuse for one thing or another.....But, since I am showing they have miscalculated May, I am going to try to give us the pay that we are owed for May as well.....

Mer
Posted 5/25/2011 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Go get'um mer!!!!! Facts are facts
Posted 5/25/2011 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
How did it go Mer??!! I hope it was successful.

Emma
Posted 5/25/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Did not get there today, hubby was zapped. So, we will shoot for 1st thing in morning. Besides, I have all the documentation I need now. So my ducks are definitely in a row!

Will update tomorrow!

Mer
Posted 5/26/2011 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Excellent... excellent... bend roll twist and shout with this disease... u got it girl.. go take em on.. and if they say no ... go again.. praying for ya girl.. Sandia
Posted 5/26/2011 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the good news is they are reinstating him effective 6/1....the bad news, they will not go back to May because they are not budging on my income....they are saying they go by processed date, not the weeks paid for date, blah, blah, blah, blah!!!!

Then, he proceeded to tell me that even with NO income in the household, his benefits will not increase at all.....this makes no sense to me. While I am glad I have a "small" victory in that his SS is reinstated and we can now proceed with getting him back on the list, I am deflated, frustrated and worried about how in the world our family is supposed to survive!!! Just don't get it!!!

Mer
Posted 5/26/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Mer, I know it's tough! My husband is on SS disability too, however, he can still stay alone so I'm able to work...Not sure what kind of help you need at this point but I just wanted to mention that many places have a food pantry as do some of the churches as well. It may not be much, but at least it may be one thing you wouldn't have to worry about. Also, some of the utility companies have programs to help reduce your utility bill, you might check into that. Does your husband have a life insurance policy?

If so, I have some hints on that too....

Hope this helps!

Posted 5/26/2011 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
You may be able to dial 211 from your phone and get information on places that will help pay your utility bills, food pantrys and things like that. I live in FL and 211 is available for information on helping the community. I hope it is in your state also.

I also googled food pantry's with my city and state, and got information there. When my husband was approved for SSD, his income changed by $400. mo so they cut the food stamps, even tho we still don't make enough $ to pay the mortgage, utilities, gas and insurance.

good luck!!
Posted 5/26/2011 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks.....just got approved for food stamps, and yes, have applied for the utility assistance, etc....I just feel like I am "darned if I do, and darned if I don't". If I get a job, SS takes away his SSI because I have income, etc.....I am just not in a good place right now!! I kind of "went off" on the man at the SS office today and told him that the way they calculate stuff is STUPID!!! Even tho the unemployment income is less than the poverty level, they call it "unearned income" and count that differently,etc.....even though I have to pay taxes on that income. They just get you coming and going, huh??? Who knew that to save someone's life you have to let the whole family drown??

Sorry, just in that place today.....

Mer
Posted 5/26/2011 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Work under the table.
Posted 5/26/2011 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Once he is approved for SSD, your income should not matter. SSI goes on household income. SSD is Disability, and him not being able to perform his duties at his regular position. My husband was approved for SSD within 3 months of his application. Rec'd SSI for that 3 months and then got a $400.mo raise when approved for SSD, plus the difference between the SSI & SSD a few months later. They cut the food stamps to almost nothing when he got the SSD too.

Good luck . .
Posted 5/26/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)

Mer, SSI has a ceiling.  I think they do give cost-of-living increases...though we on SS are into our 2nd year without a raise.  I got SSD...was told I didn't qualify for SSI.  But my SSD is what I would've gotten at full retirement age.  That manages to cut my food stamps to $16 a month...but it still comes in handy the end of the month.  I take everything I qualify for.  Look into getting Life Line credit for your phone.  I'm not sure if it covers cell phones (I know it wouldn't cover both a cell and a landline), but I pay just the taxes...which amounts to $6.50 a month.  I live in a senior apt. complex where rent is $30 of yearly income (actually more like 25% as they give a utility credit...and also lower your rent if Rxs and OTC drugs paid out of pocket equal 3% or more of income.

Also look into LIHEAP--Low Income Heating and Electric Assistance Program.  What they will give you in credit will depend on income and utility bills.  A little over a year ago, they gave me enough to carry me for 3 1/2 mos.  I'm waiting to apply again when they come here for folks to do the application process.  This can only be done once a year.

Here in Jax, FL, we have a handicapped van service which has door-to-door pick up and drop off for a small fee.  I take this as I can't walk the distance to the bus stop.  There are also shuttles and regular buses...where I can ride free...though I'm better off with the van service.

Use the dollar store, especially for foil pans, party stuff, cards, cleaning and kitchen thing.  Everything is a dollar.  Also use thrift stores.  Most of my wardrobe is from thrift stores.  Use coupons!  There are various sites online where you can print out coupons.  The Sun. paper is usually full of them.  Use a coupon for a sale item and you end up paying very little.  Do Buy One, Get One if it's something you use all the time.  Try store brands, which are usually cheaper than brand names.

When I got sick from hep C and had to go P/T, I learned how to live for less.  You'd be amazed at the help available.

Hugs and best of luck!  You can do this!

Connie

Posted 5/27/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, all!!

One thing all this has taught me, and especially since losing my job is what I can absolutely live without!

I have applied for all the extra assistance we could possibly qualify for, etc. Trying to find some work that will not affect him, because that's why he keeps getting bumped off the transplant list.

Thanks for letting me vent, I have just been feeling overwhelmed and whiney today!!!

Mer
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