Anyone living on SSI in CA?

[Wiley50]

I need some info

I am re-locating to CA or WA from TN
I will be living in a 17' sailboat on a trailer
I'll have only a PO box
Do they make the $308 month Supplimental SSI hard to get if you move there?
Are there delays in order to discourage people from moving there because the state pays extra money?

[Wiley50]

1. One Other Thing

The car that I will be pulling this boat with is not very powerful.
Does anyone know the easiest route across the Rockies?

[haele]

2. Easiest route is to head south on I-65 or I-55 and pick up I-10

and head straight across the southern US. That's a very flat route, the only difficulty will be the 5 miles at 4 - 6 degree rise going up the Chocolate Mountain part of the Lagunas (southern spur of the Cascade/Sierra Nevada range) just west of El Centro (eastern California) to hit the coast.
California is pretty expensive to just settle in. My husband's on Federal Disability, but since I work, he's not eligible for California SSI supplemental. I'm not sure how easy it is to get, you might want to check with a disability lawyer in California before you head out this way.
Is living on the coast that important to you? Perhaps Arizona or Nevada - or even Utah or New Mexico might be better?
The cost of living is cheaper there, Nevada and Arizona have similar aid as you would get in California or Washington, and there is some forest areas that are very nice; almost like areas Northern Cali, Oregon, or Washington - such as Flagstaff.
I'm not certain, but I think that around Lake Havasu you might be able to live on your boat and make a decent living. You might want to check in those state forums for advice, too.

Good luck on your move.

Haele

[Wiley50]

3. Thanks for responding n/t

[MaryBear]

4. With SSI

no food stamps in California because they are included in grant.

Southern California has warmer waters.

All is expensive.

You can check on line about social security.

[Wiley50]

5. Thanks for your input, Mary

Yes, I know about SSA.gov. It took four years for my claim to reach an Administrative Law Judge. When it did, he didn't even bother to schedule a hearing because ( unlike everyone at SS and DDS) he could read my medical records.
I've almost memorized 20 RSC Part 416 of the SS rules (red book) over the last few years. Unfortunately, they are ignoring their own rulebook and stalling ( the waiting list in TN for getting a hearing before an ALJ is currently over 18 months ) I'm sure that most of us who frequent this forum know this story by now.
Don't know what to do and have a week to come up with a plan. I've been staying with my 81 yo mother during all this. She suffers from dementia and on Tuesday was told that she has cancer and less than one year to live.
Her Church of Christ ( who hate me as an atheist) and my ultra right wing repub sister ( who hates me for obvious reasons), both of whom my mother is completely dependent upon for support; are taking this opportunity to have me evicted. Sis has hired a lawyer here from FL where she lives to begin proceedings. Trying to reason with them are futile.
My only logical refuge is my son who lives in Walla Walla, WA. But, having graduated from college with a double major just last week and sharing a house with three other students; can offer me no refuge.
If SS was playing by the rulebook, they owe me $18000 and I had planned to use that money to relocate. Now they are fighting me over the amount. They say the owe me no arrearage (back pay) and will give me only $200 a month instead of the $579 I should be receiving.
So you see I'm in crisis and grasping at straws.

Wiley

PS- I mistakenly thought I was posting this in the Disability Issues Forum where I have an almost identicle thread. That's what I meant by " anyone in this forum knows" Please forgive.
I will repost this over there.

[Conservativesux]

6. Central Valleys are the cheapest places to live here. Particulary

north of Sacramento in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties. Lots of retired folks who dont have much money living up there.

But it does get hot in summer. But its a dry heat :)

[xxqqqzme]

7. CA is way tooooo Xpensive

I am moving out 'n going 2 New Mexico. Weather is is not Xtreme; there R FEWER people; FEWER autos & the cost of living is not as high. Plus the sky is clean, vivid, blinding blue; not dirty, yucky, smudgey blue.