Disability, Food Stamps, Government Assistance

[K C Muffin]

Holy cow, I feel for ya, Bigun. I had a second disk removed and two spaces fused in my lower back a couple of years ago. I was in pain 100% of the time and nothing relieved it totally. I was a basketcase. But mine was, thankfully, operable. I just don't know how I'd face it being inoperable. Now, everything's coming up roses!!

Truthfully, though? Walking was the only thing that made it bearable some days (when the meds didn't seem to work well)....so it's probably a good thing that you don't use those spaces unless you really have to.

Hubby is disabled veteran, retired. I kid you not, we had to assemble and mail a package of no less than 350 pages to have his disability status reviewed. Most of the records were written while he was in the service, but he still had to get them, copy them and send them in. Like they couldn't have taken a field trip within the Pentagon and gotten them themselves. What a debacle. We wonder if it will even be worth it the next time review comes up.

I truthfully don't know about civies, but his disability payments are subtracted from his retirement pay. The only thing is, his disability payments are not taxable income while his retirement pay is. It very well may be that Social Security is reduced by disability payments the same way.

[TexKan]

Well you know me - I can't pass a good topic -

I carted my mom around for years and used her handicapp card when I was pushing her wheelchair - but when she could walk by herself I got her out at the door and parked in the spot I was supposed to be in - just a regular spot. It really urks me when I see "drivers" park in HC areas - I think we ought to flatten their tires or sumthin.

On the disability issue - it isn't about what you "look" like you have - disability comes in many forms like you said. For some like retired military the amt of "disability" determines what's taxable and what isn't. Heck just a measly 1% more and my other half can have a HC card too. So some folks DO have HC cards and not really fit the so called criteria. Military disability at 51% entitles you to a HC tag. The HC doesn't have to be "everyday" to meet that criteria.

Regarding the stretching of the dollar - it sounds like maybe you should investigate maybe your local food bank or some of the free lunches that sometimes churches provide during the week. It is a sad thing to try to survive when you do not have the means to support yourself anylonger and the government is literally starving you to death. I never understood the concept of taking care of babies and mothers on welfare or some other program and then leaving the male race in the dust. These are the same folks that feel everychild should have a "family" setting. Heck if you are married you aren't even elegible for some ot the stuff that's out there. WIC covers women and kids.......... gee don't the dads need to eat too?

Finally - I'll add this view point is just MY humble opinion.