Why is it the disabled and senior citizens get below poverty money compared to some who work just part time?

Question

I know some people the work part time that make more than most senior citizens and other people that are not senior citizens but are disabled and is forced to retired that recieve a lot less than those that do work part time and also some of those who work full time!

Answer 1

good point. govt. needs to decide.

Answer 2

While some end up living in poverty because of the decisions they've made in the past ended up hurting them today, is true, for many it's not. For those of us such as myself, for us to keep our health insurance that the state government provides we are forced to live by the government's rules as to what assets we can have. While I can't say if their regulated rules are appropriate for everyone, for me I feel like it's not and I wish the federal & state government would realize this. Obviously they realize there are people out there who want to work, but are restricted by how much they can make, but they don't realize the current guidelines they're enforcing is still not enough for someone such as myself. I would love to get off these programs eventually as while I'm happy something is there I still hate them as they make it very hard to own a house and a vehicle. To keep a good job doesn't everyone need reliable transportation? Where I work it's like a good 30-40 minute ride and that's a good day with hardly any traffic.

I was born with a physical disability and because of my disability I know I have unusually higher medical bill costs than somebody who isn't disabled and as a result, the majority of private insurance companies would not give me all the benefits that I absolutely have to have to keep me healthy. And insurance companies that would; would surely end up making me pay way more than what I can afford with the salary I make (which is a little over $23,000 not including a bonus once a month). As I said earlier, it's ashame because when I was hired they wanted to pay me $25,000 a year plus a bonus that would come once at the end of the month. I had to tell them I can accept the job, but if they could lower my salary as I would've made me lose my health insurance as I'm only allowed to make $26,115 in gross income. Thankfully they could because I don't mind working.

Another thing as to why so many get below poverty money compared to some who work just part time is that there are so many different programs out there for people who are elderly or disabled that even Social Security/Medicaid/Medicare employees are aware of. If the employee's supervisors don't tell them and nobody brings it to the public's attention, how can they possibly know? Nobody told me at Social Security that they had a program that would allow me to work. Heck I had to get online, do the research, and educate the person who I ended up talking to.

Answer 3

Well senior citizens are usually retired, probably over a decade or more ago. When they retired they got their pension to retire on, that is what is called a 'fixed income'. Now as the decades have past inflation has happened, the price of things have gone up (presumely their pensions have increased too but not enough to match inflation). Now the fixed income that senior citizens recieve isn't enough to pay their monthly bills so they are below the poverty line.

Inflation effects everyone, currently inflation is outpacing normal wages, so the buying power of someone who is working a full time job is actually decreasing (meaning their wages haven't increased but the price of stuff has)

Answer 4

What exactly is your point? People make their own financial decisions in their lifetime which eventually will affect their standard of living if they become disabled or when they grow old.

A senior citizen has had an entire lifetime to aquire assets. I know more than one senior who is constantly grousing about the size of their social security check and cost of living, yet they are sitting on a boatload of stocks, CD's, and living on property that is worth a freaking fortune. As an example, I know one elderly man who literally wears the same few outfits until they are falling off his back. He complains endlessly when the price of something goes up by a nickel. People (including myself) had been buying new shirts and sweaters and treats for this man because we were all under the impression that he was destitute. That was until the day that his daughter informed us that he has real estate holdings worth somewhere around 3 million dollars and that he is also just plain cheap.

I know that there are also seniors out there who are truly poor and there are many programs in place to ensure their well-being; subsidized housing, meals on wheels, and free help with almost everything under the sun. We as a society have a responsibilty to help take care of those who are no longer able to fend for themselves. It's not really the government's job, although the government does administer a lot of programs funded by society (meaning taxpayers). The disabled also fall under this umbrella. I would never begrudge anyone who is truly in need a thing.

However, what this does NOT mean is that everyone in the country gets a big honkin' paycheck no matter what their job is (or lack thereof). Many people currently receiving social security are getting checks every month that are larger than their wages were every month back when they were putting in to the system.

People are paid according to their worth to society, and that usually has to do with many factors including level of education, level of skill, demand for that occupation, etc. You alone determine what you are going to be when you grow up. Some people make better choices than others when it comes to that. Other people also make better financial choices in their life.

You reap what you have sown.

Answer 5

dont be decieved thinking disabled and senior citizens are living below the poverty line, if they all get what they are entitled to there is no need for anyone of them to plead poverty and its no excuse to say the forms are complicated as you can do it all over the telephone, if they qualify they are entitled to pension credits housing benefit plus help with glasses and dental treatment i am a pensioner so i know what i am talking about,as far as disabled people are concerned they are entitled to disabilty allowance plus carers allowance

Answer 6

Because when you work part time you are paying into the social security system. You also earn more income. Your social security payments are usually calculated from the year and your age when you stoped working.... so if you did that when you are younger or a few years ago..the amount of money you are getting now is different as compared to someone who is still working part time and collecting social security. Additionaly how much you are getting now also depends on your annual income while working..

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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