Stand with DODIE in Her Time of Need

I'm Devorah. Well, that's the name my adoptive parents gave me. I was fortunate enough to be raised in New York City and was surrounded by theater and arts that enriched my life.

The past few years have been a struggle. The past six months have been dire.

As an adult, I worked mostly as a server or caretaker. Loved both careers. However, when my partner became dreadfully ill, I stopped working outside of the home to be a full-time, around the clock caregiver. For years, our lives revolved around a single bed in our home or not-so-infrequent stays in the hospital. There was lots of love, but little opportunity for income.

I had acquired stocks and bonds. Those have been sold.

We had lovely jewelry and furniture. Those have been sold.

Both of our lives' savings are depleted (about six months ago)

The apartment we shared is rent stabilized so the nearly $1000/mo was manageable ... until recently.

I am alone now.

I have been given an eviction notice.

Social services suggest a homeless shelter.

I am, trying. I am knocking on doors. I am going to agency after agency trying to get assistance for basic needs.

Here's the kicker.

I have an official ID from the State of New York.

I do have Medicare... but haven't used it.

I have served on Jury Duty.

I have a Voter's Registration Card ... actively used!!!

BUT ... ALL agencies, including the Social Security Office, are refusing me services because "US citizenship" is in question.

I'm not sitting around doing nothing!

I have gone to the right entities set up by our government and community.

I have done everything each group has asked and keep getting my cases closed (because I couldn't afford to get to a meeting or the paperwork was "lost").

The Social Security office told me to work until I was 70 before I was eligible for SSI and ignored my blindness for SSDI. None of my meetings last more than a few minutes... next !

Why was I not eligible for services because I'm blind ... time's up!

Why was I not eligible for benefits when I turned 66 and 6 months... you need to wait until you're 70 ?????

Why now?

This is hard for me, but I need help from strangers.

Breakdown

*$913.86: Rent is due next on September 1

*$5665.92: Back rent, but the lawyer said the eviction notice was drafted August 10

*$150.32: gas and electricity ($10.81 is usage, the rest is fees as I was unexpectedly kicked out of the "senior program".)

*$42.50: medicine

*$270.12 service

*$133.15 documentation (BOTH birth certificates and HRA fees)

Why do I need "both" birth certificates. Well, evidently that's one reason I'm having trouble getting on services. I was adopted. My adoptive parents are no longer with us. And, here I am, in my late 60's trying to prove who I am.

My Daily Life:

Am I sitting around doing nothing? No. I'm trying to get help.

I am still, as of this posting, in the home we shared since 1986.

-My only meals come from a senior center (walking distance). Because I have neglected my dental care in lieu of paying bills, I can't eat a lot anyway because I only have two lower teeth remaining.

-I am active in my community to the extent I can be. I can walk to a local care home to visit and play chess with a resident (in exchange for an old tablet and the wife's internet service).

-Several days a week a take FREE online language class (on that free tablet).

-Several days a week I participate in Mahjong and chess games at the senior center.

-Even though I am completely blind in one eye, I exchange services for goods where I can find an opportunity that I can do.

-I sell plasma for incidental moneys to cover what I can.

I don't have a television.

I don't have cable.

I don't have my own Wi-Fi.

I don't have a dishwasher.

I don't have a microwave.

I don't have a computer.

I don't have central air/heat.

I don't have a smart phone.

I do have a government issued phone.

I do have a window unit air conditioner that I've only run four times so far this month. I try to be at the senior center during the hot parts of the day to use their air conditioning.

I do have a stove top to boil water for coffee (when packets are available).

I do have a great community of friends online and at my senior center that keep my spirits up. However, most have no idea of my current situation.

I do go on and on if someone will listen!

Are you still there?

Please, can you help?