Reply to Would you report a relative for abusing welfare?

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[quote=Anonymous]It may be legal in this instance but the bigger question is "Is it GOOD policy/law?"  If not, then the law needs to be changed.

I can see both sides of this issue. However, I think there is a difference between the truly poor with zero safety net, and those who are living with relatives who are providing housing and other benefits. An individual who can work AND has childcare vouchers (but only works one day per week) should be scrutinized, IMO.

Keep in mind each state has a limited amount of money to go around. This pot of money also includes supporting the ELDERLY poor.  In our county there are no housing vouchers for the elderly poor.  None.  This is because the priority is for any parent/household with minor children, and there is not enough money to go around.

The only state-funded elder housing facility here was shut down due to unlivable conditions to include leaking roof, black mold and insect infestation including bedbugs. There is NOWHERE for the elderly poor to go and there are NO housing vouchers for them.

I have tried to get an elderly relative a housing voucher for years. When we first went to do so the waiting room was filled with (seemingly) physically healthy young people with small children. Including couples.  Yet when it came our turn, we have been told over and over there is NO HELP for elderly housing here. When asked what an older person should do (living on less than $1,000 per month in Social Security) we were told to go ask at a homeless shelter.

A person works their entire life and this is what they can look forward to for "assistance" when they get old and can't make ends meet anymore.  This is what may await all of us unless we start looking at a more comprehensive national policy for taking care of the poor elderly.

If you think this is rare, it is not. Next time take a closer look at some of the homeless you see.  Have you noticed their age?  Many walk by them thinking, "Oh that's just a mentally ill old woman/man."  Perhaps you need to reframe your thinking to, "Oh, that's an elderly person who is out on the streets because they have nowhere else to go and are NOW suffering from mental and physical illnesses."

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