Glad Forum is Back - I Have Some Issues

[hodge]

OMG, that is so weird, Grama-Herc, about the food thing. But I'm so glad it all worked out for you.

 

[Nicolette]

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

I could be wrong but I think the difference is that whether you are acting as if you are in a relationship (eating together) or sharing a residence (separate food...ie border, flat mate etc).

The Govt agency would not be looking at your mother for who she is, just that you were living with another person and what type of relationship it was.

Eg. Anthony could be living with me as a partner and we share things, or Anthony could be renting out a room and buying his own food.

 

[hodge]

Oh, that makes sense, Nicolette. I am so clueless about this stuff.

 

[morgan]

Somehow I knew that everything would work out and that you might've been projecting a bit. I'm doing a bit of that myself concerning my VA benefits. I'm glad for you. I'm sure you'll do fine next year too. Just wanted to say that. I hope everything else is going okay for you too.
Hugs:Hug_emoticon: Morgan

 

[Grama-Herc]

While I appreciate all the explanations to the food thing, I still think it was absolutely insane. Mother is 83 and unable to live on her own anymore. They actually think we are living as roommates???

"You ate my peanut butter" pops into my head as insane when your elderly parent has to live with you due to health issues. DUH I still think it is funny and a ridiculous way to assess my eligibility for benefits. BUT I AM NOT conplaining, really I'm not. I just think it is funny, that's all. But then I have always had a slightly warped sense of humor

 

[Kathy]

Oh dear, when I responded to Waif I did quite forget to wish you all the best Herc, as this is your thread afterall!

I could be wrong but I think the difference is that whether you are acting as if you are in a relationship (eating together) or sharing a residence (separate food...ie border, flat mate etc).

Yes, this is a good point, and it does make a difference, in Canada at least. Part of the money given for disability is a food allowance. Government policy is, if someone else is contributing to your food expenses, then the government owes you less money. It does seem rather silly however again, that is how the government saves money. Additionally, I recall that even extended hospital stays were considered a contribution to food expenses, as whilst in hospital you are being fed! So, policy was that clients were to report hospital stays of longer than one week, so that the government would send them less food allowance for that period. Of course no one would report being in hospital, I even advised clients not to report that aspect. I can safely say that now that I am retired. :wink: It just goes to show however how it truly is simply a matter of money and "policy" rather than caring for the person who is disabled.

 

[Kathy]

While I appreciate all the explanations to the food thing, I still think it was absolutely insane. Mother is 83 and unable to live on her own anymore. They actually think we are living as roommates???

Herc, if your mother is unable to live on her own, perhaps you are entitled to a monetary benefit as a carer? In some parts of Canada one can qualify for a benefit for caring for a disabled relative, similar to the childcare benefit. I am uncertain what it is like in Florida however you may wish to look into it.

 

[ruddy]

Great news Herc! I'm grinning and laughing at the same time. I work for a government agency and stopped trying to make sense of the insanity years ago.

 

[Grama-Herc]

Kathy

The insanity of it all is that if I had said that Mother and I cook and eat together as a family, the govt agency would have Taken away my benefits. That is the insanity of it all. Because we would be eating together as a family they would have included all her income, etc and I would then have been disqualified due to an increase in my income.

My income, it is her money, not mine. The entire thing messes with my mind AUGH!

Ruddy, you more than many will understand how and why I think this is CRAZY! ! !