If what has been happening to our brother, BFSkinner, was a weather event, it might be described as a stationary tornado coupled with a hurricane which is frequently devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. His serious, multiple, disabling medical conditions have required frequent interventions and hospitalizations to stabilize him, but even worse is the fact that his clearly obvious disability makes it impossible for him to earn a living.
How does someone with no income get food, pay rent/mortgage/utilities, fill prescriptions, or obtain anything to keep body and soul together? Thankfully, BF reported to us recently that he’s finally obtained Medicaid and that will enable him to continue to receive medical treatment and fill prescriptions. Otherwise, it’s been up to friends, strangers, and the angels among us to help our brother in his time of great tribulation.
He’s applied for disability and, like everyone, faces an enormous amount of red tape, intense scrutiny and need for documentation, multiple hurdles, endless delays, but also a hearing to determine if he’s “eligible” for benefits. His lawyer says that he has a very good chance for approval, but the hearing, of course, has taken months to schedule.
We’re all well aware that the resources within Social Security have been subjected to a series of Republican budget cuts, so now there are even more delays and a lengthier wait time than before. Those delays added to all the others make it even worse for people who are disabled and without income to feed and house themselves, much less get medical care and prescription drugs.
The hearing he has waited for was originally scheduled for January 12, but now it has been postponed for 90 days because his lawyer was in the hospital on the date of the hearing. The 90 days wasn’t because that’s the amount of time his lawyer needed to get well, but likely represented the next available slot for a hearing. The new date is April 13.
The most recent posts on what’s been happening with BFSkinner are here, here, and here and include more specific information. This week he has visits scheduled with his hematologist and his new Medicaid-approved PCP (primary care provider). Thankfully, his medical needs will be covered via Medicaid now.