Glad Forum is Back - I Have Some Issues

[Grama-Herc]

I am so glad the forum is back up. I've been going through a stressful time and had no one to vent to or bounce crap off of.

Every year about this time I have to go through a review of my living situation in order to requalify for my benefits. It terrifies me every year. There is no reason for my fears other than my own self imposed panic and fears.

This year however, is quite different since mom has moved in with me. Now my bills have remained the same, my meds are the same, etc, but the govt is going to consider "US" as a family. They will not only combine our incomes BUT they will combine assets. I have no assets, hence the benefits I was getting. Mom has some assets which the govt. will include so I am fairly sure I am going to loose my benefits. Biggest thing is the help I get with my medications.

This mess has me really stressed out more than usual. Doing LOTS of deep breathing these days. Also doing a lot of sleeping, panicking, isolating and generally falling apart.

SO, glad the forum is up so I can vent. Mom tries to understand, but as much as she has educated herself on PTSD, she still really has no clue.

 

[becvan]

I feel for ya Herc. I know how stressed out I get about disability and all their criteria.

I hope it goes well for you!

bec

 

[ruddy]

Herc,

Sorry to hear about your dilema! You're a little far south to go to Canada to get your drugs cheaper. I'm wondering if there are any local resources that could assist you? It seems like most of the faith based charities in the US are now receiving lots of government funds and consequently are not allowed to discriminate based on faith. Just a thought.

Best wishes, Ruddy

 

[Grama-Herc]

Bec, I don't call what they have to put me thru as criteria LOL! It's just been so long since I've had to deal with all their s--t- it really has me in a spin.

I am proud of myself though I mailed the "criteria" to the proper place. Feels somewhat better now comes the best part---THE WAIT!

Ruddy, Canada is sounding better all ther time! The faith based charities can help me with food, clothes, and some financial assistance towards rent or power, BUT NO DRUGS! I can undertand that! Would just be to difficult for them to track, verify, etc not to mention the cost to them to hired someone to handle cuz it would be a nightmare. So, I shall just wait calmly-LOL-untill my forms are reviewed. I am however, scared they will call me into the office this time.

In the past I was able to comply with any and all requests by phone, but they have been making so many changes in the system, well? ? ? ? It is the going to the office that is the most difficult for me.

I'll keep you posted on the progress of this impending disaster! !

Thanks for caring enough to listen Grama-Herc

 

[hodge]

Good luck, Grama-Herc. I'm just applying for medical assistance now so I kind of know the stress. Take care.

 

[ruddy]

Canada is sounding better all ther time!

The politics of health care in this country really pisses me off! I guess it's cheaper to blow things up than it is to provide health care. I feel an inappropriate vent coming on - and we know where that can lead - so I guess I'll log off now.

 

[waif123]

As a Canadian I will say Canada has its problems too, i was denied disability by the government as it seemed to them that some time in the near future I would be able to return to work. Of course they don't tell you how long they mean by in the near future. We are lucky for the cheaper meds. I won't get into a political discussion about it.

Good luck Grama-Herc!

 

[Kathy]

How many times did you apply though Waif? As a retired social worker, I used to work within "the system" and virtually everyone is denied CPP and other forms of Canadian disability the first time around. Truly, I even had quadraplegics and those with terminal illnesses be denied, as a matter of policy. It is the government's way of saving money, as they know many will not make the effort to re-apply. If you have only applied once, please do try again.

 

[waif123]

thanks Kathy

I haave only tried once, with CPP, although many people in my support group are on their third or fourth attempts, one women has been fighting them for 6 years. It doesn't make you feel to confident, but thanks for the insight and I will try again

 

[Marlene]

charities can help me with food, clothes, and some financial assistance towards rent or power, BUT NO DRUGS! I can undertand that!

Herc,

Here in the bay area there's a clinic called the Judeo-Christian Clinic. It's for folks that need medical help (and meds) but can't afford it. It's staffed with doctors and nurses who donate their time. There's also social workers there. I used to work with a couple of ladies who used this facility and said it helped a lot.

Just a suggestion.

Lisa

 

[Nicolette]

Good point Kathy. I have experienced similar situations with other Government departments in Australia to the point of being rejected, appealing again, have that denied and then taking it to the internal Senior Officer for review and being successful.

Don't give up Grama-Herc.... if I was you I would be re-applying or appealing depending on the procedures especially if you do not benefit in any way from your mother's possessions/assets. I understand forms, paperwork and procedures such as these are generally overwhelming for PTSD suffers. Do you have a friend or relative you trust that could help you with the process?

What I think is crazy is that your mother's assets are considered yours yet you cannot sell them for cash etc as they are not yours....hypocritical if you ask me.

 

[Grama-Herc]

Well guys, update to "my issues" But I first want to thank you guys for the support and the excellant advise to not only me but the others who responded here.

The main thing that had me so stressed WAS mother's assets! Nicolette you are right about his part of their "criteria"!

I got a phone call today from the govt. agency. Very nice woman said she had only a few questions for me.

Get ready guys cuz this one is a dilly!

She wanted to know if mother and I ate together or separately? ? ? ? Did we have our own separate foods? ? ?


I responded by saying we have and do BOTH.

If I had said we eat and buy food together as "1", then they would have had to include mothers income and assets into the equation!

I am OK Lost nothing in my benefit package. All's well and I plan to sleep for a week, now that this is over until next year.

But I will NEVER be able to figure out the separate food thing. LMAO over it