Dear Senator, Hunger, Housing and Disparity

[Kindigger]

This is a letter I just sent to my Senator. There is information in it I thought some might like to know. Please don't critique my math too much; I did check it, but I am tired :) I need to go see my Dad at the hospital, and won't be here for comments, but any you do have would be greatly appreciated upon my return.


Dear Senator,
I wasn't aware that food stamps were part of the Agriculture bill, until I watched CSpan this morning. As a disabled 49 year old, I'd like to tell you about my recent, and current circumstances.

I lived for five years in _____ county, in a low income elderly/disabled complex (USDA funded). My adjusted rent was $114, my utilities $50, and I received $65 in FS per month. I was also eligible for coupons that could be used at the farmer's market, as well as a large rent reimbursement, and LIHEAP that covered 5 winter months. Several years, more LIHEAP was released in the summer, leaving me with only about four months of utilities to pay out of my SS check. I was reimbursed mileage to see the doctor of my choice. It didn't matter whether I wanted to drive 100 miles to _____, 30 miles to _____, or 10 miles to _______.

I moved back to ________ in Nov. 2006 to be near my ailing father. I figured my cost of living would be $20 more. I had called social services, gave them my new rental amount in a HUD elderly/disabled complex. I found I would no longer be eligible for rent reimbursement, nor LIHEAP since my utilities are included in my rent , but was assured my FS wouldn't be affected. These were sacrifices I was willing to make.

After moving, I was quite upset to find my FS amount would now be $10 per month. Since my utilities were now included in my rent ($183) I could no longer take the $135 standard utility deduction. I was then told there was a hidden utility deduction for USDA complexes of $300(+-), that was taken off your adjusted income at the end of the FS calculation. When I asked what the $300 was for I was told, "large, old farmhouses have huge utility bills in the winter". The USDA complex I lived in were one bedroom apartments getting this "farmhouse" deduction, leaving someone with a SS check of $620 showing an adjusted net income around $185 on which their FS amount was figured.

I then find out that in ______county, the disabled are not eligible for the farmer's market program, nor the free to the elderly community meals, that are served right downstairs in my building.

To top it all off, I was told I would not be reimbursed for mileage to my doctor in ________. I need to keep my doctor due to pain medication I take. I was told that if a general practitioner, specialist, or dentist practiced in my town, I was not eligible for mileage to another city. I have tried to find an Ortho, Rheumatologist, and dentist who are taking patients locally, to no avail.

Here's the estimated difference in my situation : USDA complex- one year of living expense $1968 (rent/utilities) + $156 basic cable (no antenna allowed) = $5316 in discretionary income + $780 FS, $700 LIHEAP, $250 rent reimbursement, Farmer's Market $140, one Dr. visit per month @.20 per mile $144 = $2014 in "extras" for a total of $7330 yearly; only $110 less than gross yearly income; $611 per month for car payment/insurance, laundry, and copays (phone included in the above $135 FS deduction).

HUD complex- one year of living expense $2196, plus basic cable $75 =$2271. That leaves $5169 in discretionary income + $120 FS for a total of $5289. Subtract a minimum $60 gas just to get around town to one Dr. visit & 12 physical therapy sessions =$5229 yearly, or $435 per month for a phone, car payment/insurance, prescription/Dr. copays,laundry, and food.

If my calculations are correct, you can EARN a minimum of $2014 living in USDA housing.

There are 192 1-2 bedroom USDA subsidized housing units in _____ county alone. Multiply that by 99 counties in the State, and you have approximately 19,000 households earning money for where they live. Just for fun, let's say they all received a minimum SS check. That is over $380,000 per year(?) the state is paying people to live outside the city limits.

Meanwhile, they are razing HUD complexes, and there are two year waiting lists for available units.

What is wrong with this picture?
Respectfully yours,