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.
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