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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2013)
Street roots 13 FFmTH March 15, 2013 General Assistance will protect Oregonians with disabilities estoring state fu n d would provide emergency assistance for people waiting for Social Security benefits BY JES LARSON Jes Larson is a housing specialist a t Northwest Pilot Project and a Steering Committee member o f the General Assistance Coalition. Go to nwpilotproject.org and “W hat’s New” fo r more information about H B 2712 and how to contact your representatives. Follow Jes on Twitter @Jes_Larson. to pay off his modular-home and pay rent forward for one year while he waited for his n Oregon we can all agree that our Social Security benefits. But after two years communities are strong and healthy of waiting, his resources were completely when our most vulnerable residents are exhausted. Behind on the rent, Ron had to protected. But there is an important link walk away from his home. He moved into missing in our state’s system of safety and his truck with his dog Angel. They camped protection. That s why Oregon advocates are on Mount Hood for six months. In the working hard to restore funding for General winter, he became sick with pneumonia and Assistance. spent lots of time at emergency rooms When an Oregonian becomes disabled trying to get better. Finally, he got housing, and applies for Social Security disability then he got health care and after more than benefits, they soon learn that the three years, he was approved for his Social application process averages about a year Security disability benefits. Ron asked the and sometimes takes up to three. No longer legislative committee for help to prevent able to work, individuals with disabilities will this from happening to other folks, people quickly use up their savings to afford he had met along the way who have medical costs, rent and other living disabilities, are still camping outside and are expenses during this extended waiting trying to get by with no income. period. For Oregonians without savings or Unfortunately, Ron’s story is not unique other resources, becoming disabled often in Oregon. Many individuals with disabilities means facing homelessness and medical are waiting too long for their benefits. crises alone, without our protection. Without income or resources, people are Until 2005, General Assistance (GA), a losing their homes and belongings. They temporary state disability insurance lose touch with their family members and program, protected Oregonians with natural supports. They seek urgent medical disabilities. This minimal stipend afforded care in ERs because they don’t have a only basic necessities like rent, utilities and doctor or can’t afford simple prescriptions. a bus pass. Furthermore, GA provided a They wait in long shelter lines and are often connection to health care and support to forced to sleep outside. Without GA, our quickly secure federal disability benefits. expensive and overextended emergency But GA has not been funded since 2005. It’s services (hospitals, shelters and even time to fund GA and protect our most county jails) are forced to respond to needs vulnerable residents. they can’t meet. On Wednesday, Feb. 27, a group of GA is a smart program. Most of the costs Northwest Pilot Project clients and staff are reimbursed with federal dollars. Like traveled to Salem for a hearing on GA the other 31 states that provide GA, Oregon before the House Human Services and can recoup 100 percent of the stipend when Housing Committee. Ron testified how he each individual gets approved for their had become permanently disabled when he Social Security benefit. More importantly, fell two stories on a construction worksite. when we protect our neighbors with He used his workers’ compensation benefits disabilities, our communities thrive. C O N T R IB U T IN G C O L U M N IS T I Landlords get their rent checks, local businesses keep their customers, neighbors stay connected, and our health care systems can work. Carolyn also testified in support of GA. After a disabling spinal injury, she spent five months in the hospital recovering. Her savings and resources were soon exhausted there and she moved into a fifth-wheel trailer to reduce her living expenses. She explained how scared she was when she ultimately had to sell the trailer and found herself sleeping outside at a bus shelter in her wheelchair. “Everything kept getting worse,” she recalled. Thankfully, Carolyn’s Social Security benefits were recently approved. “You can’t even imagine what $710 (the SSI amount) means after you’ve lived with nothing for so long. This month I’m going to pay my rent for the first time in over a year and a half.” Social Security disability benefits are often the only lifeline keeping people with disabilities safe, healthy and in housing. But too many Oregonians are waiting too long for their federal benefits and have no other lifeline to call on. It’s time to restore GA in Oregon. It’s time to protect the dignity and safety of our neighbors with disabilities. If you agree, we’d appreciate your help. In February, the House Human Services Committee voted unanimously to support HB 2712, a bill to establish an advisory committee to consider and recommend funding restoration for GA in 2014. We hope the bill is as successful at its next stop, the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Please contact your state representatives and ask them to support HB 2712. Together we can protect our most vulnerable neighbors with disabilities. Idealist By Shannon Andrews The utmost respect I have Begins with the breath of fresh air Bringing my life to a perfect world As I build it to my desire and It coordinates with the lives of the many To blend in a conceivable notion How a census majority have In common with the common-good. I want my life to evolve into goodness. Bring good times and changes in peoples’ lives. How much I have a positive impact On how to stay happy. Poverty Time By Jason Time is precious and dear, it goes by too fast No time to enjoy and no time to relax When you want it to stop it will only progress Every minute goes by there may not be another minute left The story of life imprinted in numbers It stars at birth and it’s heavier than lumber Time persistently rolls like a ball down the hill It’s a shame that time doesn’t feel If it could, time would come to a halt Time would hurt like an open wound dashed with salt I only wish that this were true Time does not feel like we do. O ver (5 m il lion people w orldw ide vote for dignity over poverty w hen they buy stre e t press. By doing so. they help vendors in 40 countries, selling over too different titles, to change th e ir lives. In retu rn , readers enjoy quality, independent jo u rnalism , in the knowledge that th ey ’ve m ade a difference. Vote for Dignity. International Network ef Street Papers
