Bob (ColesCountyDem) is getting close to his gofundme goal!!!

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Thu Apr 30, 2015, 02:40 PM - Edit history (7)

$6,834 of $7,500 means less than $700 to go. Don't do the math, it is a demonic number. I don't want to screw up the good luck.

My thanks to everyone including those that are helping keep this kicked!


I'm vouching for Bob's circumstances, character, and that fact he is one of us. Bob has asked twice for help from the DU. He never reached his goal. He hasn't been approved for Social Security Disability yet. It has been over a year since he applied. Bob's area has the longest backlog in the country.

Since his last request for help Bob has been in and out of the hospital a couple times.

He and his dog Gilbert (below) are out of places to turn for help. No Friends or relatives. Just us.

His rent is due Friday. He is out of $. His cupboard is bare. You get the idea.

Rather than me going on and on, read about Bob's circumstances at his Go Fund Me or Facebook pages.

Please consider helping one of our own.

OS

http://www.gofundme.com/cip3vw

[e-mail]



Gilbert

[ghostsinthemachine]

1. To the top for Bob

I am exactly in his shoes myself. except I am already living in my car.

[Jefferson23]

15. I am sorry to hear that, do you have a gofundme account? DU is a good community, people

are happy to help when they can.

[onecaliberal]

2. Kick in some $.

Hope it helps.

[NBachers]

3. A little bit to help the momentum

[NYC_SKP]

4. Kick for visibility.

Thanks for posting, OS!

[Iggo]

5. .

[daredtowork]

6. I can vouch for how long it takes to get a SSI/SSDI

It can take 2-3 years. Most people are automatically denied twice and then have to go before a judge: they have to wait to be put on the court calendar and then assigned a court date. It takes a very long time. This guy is lucky his case is so clear cut with the congestive heart failure: while he probably would have been unemployable with the chronic problems of diabetes and depression, the chronic problems associated with them require a legal argument as to why you're 100% unable to work at any job. (It doesn't matter whether people will hire you when you're chronically ill or not). Also there are age tiers so that you are automatically rejected if you are under 60, with relenting standards older than that.

Anyway, it is a HUMAN RIGHTS CRIME in our country that people who need to be on disability are left in a multi-year gap between the time they apply and the the time they are approved. I have written about this problem repeatedly here. If they don't have savings that can tide them over for that long, they are forced to fall back on "General Assistance" welfare, which is designed to torture people and herd them toward homelessness as punishment for the fact they aren't working. The mental illness-inflicting absurdities people are put through for falling into poverty should count as Gitmo-style torture, and I'm not exaggerating.

It is infinitely stressful to have the threat of homelessness constantly hanging over your head as you try to get through the things you need to do from day to day. You don't own your own time: you become part of the "poverty industry" where dozens of people make their living at your expense. Your time is micro-scheduled as you fly about from appointment to appointment - very painfully since you are disabled, but transportation isn't subsidized. Appointments often conflict, but you are constantly being judged on whether you are showing up on time - and swiftly punished if your late by the appointments by appointments being rescheduled a month or two later. Everything is on bureaucratic time, meaning things happen on a timescale of months or years if they happen at all.

And then there are the money issues. You get a tiny LOAN for rent. If you try to earn any money for utilities, transportation, hygiene products, light bulbs, stamps, toilet paper, etc. - it gets taken out of the rent money. But worse, if you report any work, that shows you are able to work, which would undermine your SSI/SSDI case - the entire reason you are going through all this suffering! So you are deliberately being placed in an impossible situation.

I'm not sure how Bob's GoFundMe money will affect his General Assistance money, but if it works the same way as it works here, that money will get cut off while he's living on the GoFundMe money (which is tax reported, so he will have to fess up to it), and he will have to go through the red tape to re-apply when the GoFundMe money runs out. So it would be wonderful if the lawyer is giving him a good timeline for his SSI/SSDI hearing. But I seriously doubt it.

These things take longer than any reasonable person could ever imagine.

Bob's case is why I keep harping on the collapse of the Social Services infrastructure and the Terror that has been wrought by Clinton's Reform of Welfare as We Know It.

I have heard Hillary Clinton say NOTHING that indicates she will move to change things. She only talks about how she values "hard work".

If anyone cares about Human Rights and dignity in this country someone has to step up and address the multi-year survival gap between applying and approval for SSI/SSDI.

[erronis]

12. Thanks for your well-written post

You highlight a lot of the worst parts of the US "system" of social security.

This is one of the worst countries in terms of taking care of its own. Of course if you are one of the top 10,000 - no worries. Most of congress, current and past (and probably future) presidents really don't give-a-shit (other than getting elected.)

[awoke_in_2003]

18. The process is criminal...

and if you work anytime during that time the clock resets. They want to starve people out and force them to give up. I went through it with my wife- luckily, my job helped us keep it together.

[ColesCountyDem]

36. Beautiful post!

So many don't understand, so thank you for explaing so eloquently!

[dixiegrrrrl]

41. you become part of the "poverty industry" where dozens of people make their living at your expense.

I am SO glad you pointed that out, I have been talking about that for 30 years now, while, ironically, working for Mental Health centers.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Donated.

Would that I could give more.

[Flying Squirrel]

8. Done n/t

[DonCoquixote]

9. please tell your firend to get a ssi lawyer

they work on contingency, and I can tell you they make all the difference. The only reason I have SS today is ebcause my lawyer was able to escalte things to a federal court outside of Florida, a state notorious for being hostile to SS.

[ColesCountyDem]

34. I have a lawyer.

I was advised to get one, as it increases your chances of succeeding.

[dixiegrrrrl]

42. Mr. Dixie got accepted first time around.

and it still took 18 months.
good news is he got a lump sum check going back to his last day of work.

This was 10 years ago.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you......

[ColesCountyDem]

44. Thank you, m'dear!

I'm confident that I'll get it my first time, too, as is my attorney. I hope I get my decision before 18 months, but with the average wait time here being 12 months, who knows?

[Omaha Steve]

53. I had no idea

With the cuts in programs for the needy, where are they supposed to go for help?

OS

[dixiegrrrrl]

55. To Ace Hardware, for pitchforks and torches, I think. n/t

[mercuryblues]

72. My Mom's lawyer

said it best they hope you die while waiting.

My Mom applied years ago and it took a year for approval. That is exactly what he told her. Such is the case for many people, they do die.

[Omaha Steve]

74. Good thing we all paid into all these years

Which D said "you shoiuldn't have to stand in line at the SS office?

OS

[Jane Austin]

10. Done

Best of luck to Bob and thanks to you, Steve.

[Jackpine Radical]

11. I sent Ben Franklin as my envoy.

[stage left]

13. K&R

It shouldn't take so long for disabled people to get the help they need. It's criminal, actually.

[Jefferson23]

14. K&R and done. n/t

[ColesCountyDem]

16. Thank you for all of your help!

DU-ers are the absolute BEST!

[stage left]

17. Just donated a bit.

Thanks for the thread, Steve.

[zeemike]

19. Well it was not much but every little bit helps

Good luck Bob.

[yallerdawg]

20. Good luck, Bob!

Great work, OS. Your friends need you!

[spanone]

21. k&r...

[Vincardog]

22. I helped all I could.

[niyad]

23. k and r for continued visibility

[Fla Dem]

24. Kicked in, but please look into food banks/pantries in his area.

I don't know if he has transportation, but a quick search for food banks in Cole County Ill, turned up a fairly good list. Catholic Charities are really good and some even provide some financial help.

http://www.wbgl.org/community/resource-center/category/food-pantry-3

[ColesCountyDem]

38. Thanks for the info!

I do have Link (SNAP), and I budget well.

[Lifelong Protester]

25. K & R

[NaturalHigh]

26. K and R.

[raven mad]

27. Done.

Y'all helped me when I was completely out of it. A give back is always appropriate.

[Sienna86]

28. Thanks for the opportunity to help.

Was able to donate. Omaha Steve, thank you and please keep us posted.

[ColesCountyDem]

29. Thank you all so very, very much!

I love you all!

[roody]

30. knr

[glinda]

31. Kick!

[appalachiablue]

32. K & R and done, wish Bob and buddy Gilbert all the best. Thanks for posting.

[NCarolinawoman]

33. Just gave.

Wish I could do more. I have always had good feelings about this guy.

[dixiegrrrrl]

35. Thank you for the chance to '"pay it back"

I have been in dire straits a few times and was shown generosity.
I set aside a small amount every month for moments like this.

glad to see help is rolling in for Bob.
together we can combine many small donations to make a big difference.

[akbacchus_BC]

37. Just kicked in a bit more!

The Canadian dollar is so low, not sure if it will make a difference. I had sent Bob two contributions before through MoneyGram, he could attest to that.

Thanks Omaha for helping out and I hope Bob's SS comes through soon.

[ColesCountyDem]

39. Thank you all for your generosity!

There's still a ways to go, but I'm much closer than I was yesterday!

[Surya Gayatri]

40. K & R

[marym625]

43. K&R

Thank you, OS, for your constant caring

Good luck Bob. I'm sorry I am unable to help.

[Voice for Peace]

45. Tell Bob -- this is very important

between now and whenever he gets his SSI hearing:
do NOT show any income in the interim period, no bank
deposits, nothing.

After two and a half years and two denials I had a hearing
with a judge, who found me legally medically disabled. In
theory this should have meant assistance beginning right
away.

But then they interview you again to determine what you
"deserve." Get a lawyer who will work for a percentage
of the back pay settlement. Make sure to be well informed
about what they consider to be 'income' -- which they
will subtract from your benefits. It has become a cruel
system, as far as I can see, after dealing with them for
years and STILL not getting the assistance (yet). If you
have friends and family helping you, paying rent, etc..
-- do not let anybody give you money directly -- (ie,
into your bank account or otherwise traceable) -- down the
road they will count it as income, even if it is the charity
of strangers. Good luck. One day at a time.

[ColesCountyDem]

48. Excellent advice, VfP!

My lawyer told me much the same thing. He points to the irony of the situation where you must prove that you absolutely cannot work, thereby having no income, yet you are still supposed to live in the interim. He furthermore points out the cruelty of not allowing him to advance funds out of his own account against the eventual award, even though he could afford to do so.

[greatlaurel]

46. Kicked and Recommended for more visibility

Good luck and best wishes to Bob and Gilbert. It is a tough system to navigate.

[ColesCountyDem]

51. Yes, it is, and thank you! n/t

[eggplant]

47. Another $50 here. n/t

[Doremus]

49. Donated K&R

[ColesCountyDem]

50. Thank you so much, folks! I haven't taken a single nitro today.

Seeing the balance grow is helping to relieve a great deal of stress. This is the first day in a week that I've not needed to take a nitroglycerin pill.

You are the BEST, DU-ers!

[Omaha Steve]

52. That is great news

It is great to see the DU come together like this.

[ColesCountyDem]

54. Yes it is, and thank you all!

One thing every cardiologist will tell you is to minimize stress. While it's undoubtedly sound advice, it can be very difficult to do, if you're facing eviction or utility disruption, e.g., as a result of being broke.

[appalachiablue]

56. K & R. 90 more for Bob and Gilbert. Love that pooch, man's best friend! So glad they

have each other. Things will get better soon, esp. some relief from stress that nobody needs. The treatment of disabled and poor in this country is appalling, a global disgrace. Take care and all the best!

(An older brother is doing well in spite of CHF Stage 2-3 with a CRT device for 7 years. He's precious to us like our little brother who we lost in the 90s from Aids).

[ColesCountyDem]

58. Thank you so much, appalachiablue! Gilbert says thank you, too.

[appalachiablue]

60. What a face and great expression! Some cutie and dear buddy you have. A few healthy

treats for the good boy when he's up for it. Thank you much for the Portrait of Gilbert. Know things will be better for you both real soon, take good care! -Appa

Steve is a real friend, DU is so lucky.

[ColesCountyDem]

61. Steve is an awesome friend!

Steve embodies everything that is good about DU.

[appalachiablue]

62. OS surely is a special friend who embodies everything good about people.

From what I've seen Steve looks out for folks, lets DU know when to help. And so he makes us better and more united. His regular labor posts are invaluable. I hope OS knows how much we appreciate and respect him.

[Omaha Steve]

68. OS is peeling onions

[ColesCountyDem]

69. Lucky you!

I use so few onions that I've begun buying the dried, minced ones at Sav-A-Lot.

[Omaha Steve]

57. Donations are still coming in

My thanks to those that help keep this kicked too.

$10 Anonymous 18 mins ago

[ColesCountyDem]

64. I appreciate this so much!

Love you all!

[dbackjon]

59. Happy to help again

[ColesCountyDem]

63. Thank you so much!

[steve2470]

65. kick and rec! nt

[appalachiablue]

66. Kicked in some more a bit ago. Peace.

K & R this!

[Omaha Steve]

67. Kick, kick, kick...

[herding cats]

70. I hope things get better soon!

And a small kick back to the top for you.

[ColesCountyDem]

71. Thank you! I'm feeling better, and getting closer to my goal.

[herding cats]

75. That's good news all the way around!

Hopefully the last little bit you need to tide you over will be coming in soon, and you'll get some peace of mind.

It's a sad state of affairs when there's no other safety net to keep a person (and their pet!) in food and shelter until their Social Security Disability is approved. It shouldn't take so long, and I'm sorry for what you've had to deal with during your wait.

[ColesCountyDem]

76. Who would design such a nightmarish system?

The assumption that you can exist without money while SSA takes however long to decide yay or nay is bizarre, to put it mildly.

[ColesCountyDem]

73. Closing in on the goal!

Only $995 more to go, to reach my goal. DU-ers are a fantastic group of people! Thank you all so much!

[appalachiablue]

77. K & R. Toward the goal!

-Appa

[Omaha Steve]

78. Kick

[appalachiablue]

79. Kick for Bob & devoted pooch pal Gilbert!

[ColesCountyDem]

80. I want to thank you all so much!

I'm so very close to my goal, and it's all because of you guys! I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.