I am homeless

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42. First, a k&r. Second...

I'm not surprised by your SSDI problems. Mine was a bit different - I got SSDI, canceled when I got reemployed and stayed employed for nearly 4+ years, with a brief break between companies with my old company continuing my insurance for a few months (technically via COBRA). I got a new job before the old insurance expired, so no gap in coverage. I had to leave that job for a variety of reasons (it was a highly dysfunctional environment), but surprise, surprise, I didn't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period because - guess why - I was on COBRA for a few months - and eligible for Medicare (I didn't know that, and my COBRA care was better). I thought staying OFF the government dole was the objective espoused by all Republicans. Apparently not. Now I'm not covered for anything except inpatient until next frickin' July, and it's probably the prescriptions that hurt the most.

Third: Your post made me think about alternatives for homeless in mainly urban centers. I'm imagining a non-profit that basically is almost a campus - group lockers, bedrooms (perhaps with a roommate), laundry and personal shower facilities, central mail, etc. I don't have the energy to start and do one just by myself but if anyone here has some time, experience, and would be willing to work on it, it could be a positive thing. (if interested, either reply here so others can see or, if you prefer, you can PM).

All I can say is our options are less and less. We are technically still middle class but now neither my wife nor I are working, so I might start refitting my van while my son moves out (he's old enough) and my wife moves closer to her mother, who has her own issues. None of the answers are easy, though. I tried so hard to avoid the difficulties of being homeless, but safety nets are less and less, and I may be parking my minivan nearby.

Please update this thread in a day or two and let us know how you're doing. If you were in my city, I'd have you stay for a bit, but I suspect you're not (mainly because I'm not in the kind of city you describe).

Best of luck