I have been on disability for years and it's still so hard to make ends meet. I'm divorced, so there's no income but mine. My benefit is less than $1000 a month. Just interested in how you guys manage.

Retirement Pension, investments & personal savings.

Have you checked with your local Social Service Agency for any programs you may qualify for and/or take advantage of?
If your income is less than $1000/month you may be entitled to Food Stamps in your state/"county". In some states the requirements to get them are different for the "Disabled". :D

In my state, the *Disabled* are entitled to the same freebie & discount programs as the Seniors.

Just a thought........... :angel:

Another benefit could possibly be a reduction of real estate taxes. Thanks to my husband, only 50% of the value of our home is taxed. That is a huge savings for us. You may also want to check to see if you carried any disability insurance on your mortgage or credit cards.

Hopefully there are more suggestions headed your way! Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the replies.
I do qualify for $10 per month food stamps.
I'm $2 over for medicaid
As far as investments, I became disabled at 25 so who thought about that then.

Thanks for the replies.
I do qualify for $10 per month food stamps.
I'm $2 over for medicaid
As far as investments, I became disabled at 25 so who thought about that then.
Are you on SSI or SSDI?

If you are having problems paying for prescriptions, always ask your doctor for samples. Most doctors are happy to comply.

If you have Medicare, check into the Part D Prescription Plan programs through your state. However, I do believe the enrollment period has ended. Not sure if it has been extended till May-07.

Most drug manufactures give away their drugs for free and/or at a steep discount. These programs are called Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs. You can find more info about these type programs by doing a search at the top left of this website. In the search field use the keywords:
Discount prescription programs.

Good luck! :angel:

I have been on disability for years and it's still so hard to make ends meet. I'm divorced, so there's no income but mine. My benefit is less than $1000 a month. Just interested in how you guys manage.

Hi, I'm new here.

I have been on disability since January of 2004 and I draw about $750 a month. It is very difficult as I had no retirement, pension nor savings. I was always too sick to work each day in a work week. I lost three jobs due to my disabilities, and no, no lawyer wanted to take on the companies that I worked for. One being a Huge Major Medical Insurance company. I receive $53 in food stamps! I know, it's really a joke. One good thing is that the phone company where I live gives a discount to those on disabilities. I also receive help with my electric bill for about 4 1/2 months out of the year. I do get a discount on my property taxes and since I only make a little over $8,000 a year I don't have to pay for any of my Medicare and then Medicaid comes in and picks up all the rest of my medical. I do have a small co-pay for my prescription drugs. It is hard, financial stress is the biggest in my life. I drive an eighteen year old truck with around 235,000 miles on it. It runs on oil, gas and a lot of prayers! And I have a great family that comes in when needed to help me out. I make jewelry and have made a little money from that but really don't ever feel like working on it enough to actually promote myself. You can call your United Way and see if there are agencies in your city that can help you. I have a Social Worker who comes to my house once a week and she was the one who guided me to the help that I receive on my electric, phone, etc.

I wish you good luck. If I drew 1,000 then I would be doing a whole lot better than I am! But then the cost of living may be much higher where ever you live at.

Ailsa~

Hi MsDubb, when I was put on the medicine I'm on now my doctor filled out a form and sent it to the drug company. So if it is a drug that you will have to be on the rest of your life it's possible the you could get your medicine free from the drug company. The only reason I didn't get it was because I was on my husband's insurance plan other than that they would have given it to me for free. So check with your doctor and see if he can't help you.

Ya'll amaze me that you are so resourceful with what you have - one thing I found for my daughter was PPARx.org that organization that Montel Williams sponsors - she got some really expensive drugs through them with very little hassle - keep up the good work and know that most people would not do as well as you do - also do you mind telling where you live MsD cause I think your state should help you more Grins Reva

Another benefit could possibly be a reduction of real estate taxes. Thanks to my husband, only 50% of the value of our home is taxed. That is a huge savings for us. You may also want to check to see if you carried any disability insurance on your mortgage or credit cards.

Hopefully there are more suggestions headed your way! Best of luck to you!

what state are you in? Do they all do that????? I am on permenant disability with SSD and workers comp.

have you applied for social security disability? It may take years to get but you'll get back paid and be better off in your future.

Private H, We're in South Carolina. The only way I knew we could get a discount was when I was looking at the envelope the tax bill came in. It mentioned something about paying taxes while being permanently disabled.

All that was required from us was to bring in the SSDI award letter. They even reimbursed us for the overpayment we had made, which was a nice little chunk.

Hope your county does the same!