Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Parents and SSI constant fight. (self.Blind)
submitted by nycefm
So I have some questions. I live with my family and I receive SSI every month. I buy my own food and I pay for a netflix bill. My parents get mad because I pay for dating sites. Wile I do not do this every month I do it if I have money left over. And when I'm shopping on line I don't usely buy anything over 50 dollars or even 100 dollars. Because the place I live there is no transportation I'm not able to go and meet people like I want to so I have to resort to the Internet. Now I have seen blind people use there money for the following.
Rent.
Uber or Lyft rides.
Buying sell phones.
Going to the movies.
Going to restaurants.
This is what you are alloud to use your money for.
Housing and Utilities
If you live in your own home or apartment, you can use your SSI money for housing and utility expenses. You can also use it to pay your portion of the expense of sharing a home or apartment with someone else. If you are homeless, you can receive your full SSI payment and may be eligible for subsidized housing. Anyone living in a public shelter will be paid SSI money for six months out of every nine months.
Food
When you receive SSI, your state or county will also provide monthly food stamp benefits for food purchases. Income and expenses for mortgage or rent, utilities and child or elder care, if required, determines food stamp eligibility.
Medical and Dental Expenses
When you qualify for SSI, you will receive additional help. Medicaid pays for doctor and hospital bills, as well as prescription drug coverage. Your state may also pay for Medicare for additional benefits. You must receive SSI for 24 months to be eligible for Medicare benefits. You may use your SSI benefits for any medical or dental expenses not covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
Personal Care Items and Clothing
After you have used the SSI benefits for your housing, utilities, food and medical and dental expenses, remaining dollars can purchase personal care items and clothing. You can also use this money for recreation, phones and miscellaneous purchases.
Now I added up all my money for the year.
Rent $100.00
Netflix $7.99
Food veries but I usely spend $30.00 a week.
So after adding up all the numbers. This is the total for the year.
$100.00 * 12 = $1200.00
$7.99 * 12 = $95.8
I get $750.00 per month.
$750.00 * 12 = $9000.00
I came up with this.
9000 - 1200 - 95.8 = 7704.2
All this money is placed into a account that I can't touch and that I don't have access too. So if I am really only alloud 50 dollars at most and I get 750 then I came up with this.
$7500 - $100.00 - $50.00 = $600.00.
I don't get the full ammount placed into my account. I don't have a job because there is only so much my job couch can doo because I do not have transportation from my town to another town.
So if I am putting back $600.00 in savings every month than I should have this much.
$600.00 * 12 = $7200.00
1 year: $7200.00 * 12 = $86400.00
2 years: $7200.00 * 24 = $172800.0
3 years: $7200.00 * 36 = $259200.0
4 years: $7200.00 * 48 = $345600.0
So adding all that up I should have this much in savings.
$86400.00 + $172800.00 + $259200.00 + $345600.00 = $864000.00
So I really don't understand what all the fuss is about. if its $6.99 and Mind you I'm not paying this monthly. I hope this all made sence. What is your take? I'm also 22 years old.
Rent.
Uber or Lyft rides.
Buying sell phones.
Going to the movies.
Going to restaurants.
This is what you are alloud to use your money for.
Housing and Utilities
If you live in your own home or apartment, you can use your SSI money for housing and utility expenses. You can also use it to pay your portion of the expense of sharing a home or apartment with someone else. If you are homeless, you can receive your full SSI payment and may be eligible for subsidized housing. Anyone living in a public shelter will be paid SSI money for six months out of every nine months.
Food
When you receive SSI, your state or county will also provide monthly food stamp benefits for food purchases. Income and expenses for mortgage or rent, utilities and child or elder care, if required, determines food stamp eligibility.
Medical and Dental Expenses
When you qualify for SSI, you will receive additional help. Medicaid pays for doctor and hospital bills, as well as prescription drug coverage. Your state may also pay for Medicare for additional benefits. You must receive SSI for 24 months to be eligible for Medicare benefits. You may use your SSI benefits for any medical or dental expenses not covered by Medicaid or Medicare.
Personal Care Items and Clothing
After you have used the SSI benefits for your housing, utilities, food and medical and dental expenses, remaining dollars can purchase personal care items and clothing. You can also use this money for recreation, phones and miscellaneous purchases.
Now I added up all my money for the year.
Rent $100.00
Netflix $7.99
Food veries but I usely spend $30.00 a week.
So after adding up all the numbers. This is the total for the year.
$100.00 * 12 = $1200.00
$7.99 * 12 = $95.8
I get $750.00 per month.
$750.00 * 12 = $9000.00
I came up with this.
9000 - 1200 - 95.8 = 7704.2
All this money is placed into a account that I can't touch and that I don't have access too. So if I am really only alloud 50 dollars at most and I get 750 then I came up with this.
$7500 - $100.00 - $50.00 = $600.00.
I don't get the full ammount placed into my account. I don't have a job because there is only so much my job couch can doo because I do not have transportation from my town to another town.
So if I am putting back $600.00 in savings every month than I should have this much.
$600.00 * 12 = $7200.00
1 year: $7200.00 * 12 = $86400.00
2 years: $7200.00 * 24 = $172800.0
3 years: $7200.00 * 36 = $259200.0
4 years: $7200.00 * 48 = $345600.0
So adding all that up I should have this much in savings.
$86400.00 + $172800.00 + $259200.00 + $345600.00 = $864000.00
So I really don't understand what all the fuss is about. if its $6.99 and Mind you I'm not paying this monthly. I hope this all made sence. What is your take? I'm also 22 years old.
B-dub31 6 points 5y ago
Without knowing the entire situation, I'm going to offer a neutral suggestion. If you are 22, and there is no reason (mental or physical) why you can’t handle your money, tell the SSA that you want to handle your affairs. Go to a bank, set up a checking account with a debit card, and change your direct deposit to that account. Your parents will have no legal right to access that account. Now that you control your own money, ask your parents how much you need to contribute each month for your living expenses and then give them cash for that amount. You can do with the rest as you would like. If they don’t allow you to do this, move out.
By the way, SSI is an income and asset based program, so you are not allowed to have over $2000 in assets unless you hold the savings in a special type of account which can be used for disability-related expenses.
By the way, SSI is an income and asset based program, so you are not allowed to have over $2000 in assets unless you hold the savings in a special type of account which can be used for disability-related expenses.
nycefm [OP] 3 points 5y ago
I had to reaply for section 8 because my parents never told me that I got a letter in the mail.
matt_may 4 points 5y ago
Need to check your math. Your yearly expenses are 1200 for housing and 30 per week for food, which is 1560. I bet it's more likely 2k or more.
Also, accepting your math of 7200 a year in savings, you multiply that times 12. But 7200 is your yearly savings. 86409 would be 12 *years* of savings.
I salute what your trying to do here. It's time for you to have a conversation with your parents. They need to shift into seeing you as an adult.
Also, accepting your math of 7200 a year in savings, you multiply that times 12. But 7200 is your yearly savings. 86409 would be 12 *years* of savings.
I salute what your trying to do here. It's time for you to have a conversation with your parents. They need to shift into seeing you as an adult.
B-dub31 3 points 5y ago
I can imagine your frustration with the situation. Even if your parents are your representative payees for your SSI, they have a legal responsibility to use that money for your care. If you feel like that’s not happening, then you should get your own account without them as authorized users. I don’t see any reason why a visual impairment—even complete blindness—would prevent you from managing your affairs and living independently.
ScarReincarnated 2 points 5y ago
You either comply with you parents or move out and live alone or with a partner.
If you move out, get ready to work. SSI alone won’t help with rent. Or, find a really cheap mobile home, but still you will need help with payment or food or internet.
Maybe with section 8 they can help you pay rent.
If it is too difficult to live alone then start dating ASAP to move out. Tinder, plenty of fish, OKCupid, etc.
Pro tip: Being married doubles your SSI income.
If you move out, get ready to work. SSI alone won’t help with rent. Or, find a really cheap mobile home, but still you will need help with payment or food or internet.
Maybe with section 8 they can help you pay rent.
If it is too difficult to live alone then start dating ASAP to move out. Tinder, plenty of fish, OKCupid, etc.
Pro tip: Being married doubles your SSI income.
matt_may 2 points 5y ago
When I went on SSDI after close to twenty years working, SS said I should give a family member power of attonery over my affairs. i told them no way. They got upset by this. Not sure why they push this so much. Might be an issue for the NFB to look into.
B-dub31 1 points 5y ago
That doesn't surprise me. It's tough enough going from work to disability, much less losing your vision too. I was 39 when my vision loss occurred and it's been a heck of a adjustment to not going to work every day.
matt_may 1 points 5y ago
Not saying it's easy but it's my money. Not giving up control of my own finances. I handle the family investments still. Especially in the days of screen readers and credit cards.
B-dub31 1 points 5y ago
Tech does make things easier. I use Apple Pay a lot. I kid it's because my wife has all of the money, but it's actually because I can see the back lit screen better than an actual card. I'm glad you stood firm on this because visually impaired or blind doesn't mean dependent!
Prefect316 1 points 5y ago
People here have already suggested it, but I strongly advise you to force the issue and open your own bank account and have your monthly check deposited there. It will give you the financial independence you want and it will force your parents to show their true colors. If they're not satisfied with your contribution to the household, finish up your Section 8 application asap and gtfo.
I say this to everyone I meet. do not let your parents be the only reason you don't act independently. Do not let them be the determining factor for everything in your life. You have the resources at your disposal. It's all about knowing how to use them.
I've been there. If you have any questions or concerns, or hell, if you just need to get some stuff off your chest, you can PM me.
Best of luck to you.
I say this to everyone I meet. do not let your parents be the only reason you don't act independently. Do not let them be the determining factor for everything in your life. You have the resources at your disposal. It's all about knowing how to use them.
I've been there. If you have any questions or concerns, or hell, if you just need to get some stuff off your chest, you can PM me.
Best of luck to you.
BasicChick314 1 points 5y ago
I could be way off base here, but if your parents are discouraging you from doing things that would allow you to meet people and they withheld a letter from you that would allow you to live independently, I think they’re trying to hinder you from growing up and being independent. Look at other aspects of your relationship with them and if this seems to be a recurring problem, learn what you need to live independently andget to the mail before they do each time so get out when you can.
[deleted] 1 points 5y ago
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