Disabled Homeless Unable to Receive Fair Benefits, Must Move

UPDATE

Must move all belongings by February 4, 2025. Requires $3000 to cover moving expenses! PLEASE HELP with whatever you can! (SEE LATEST UPDATE FOR DETAILS)

THANK YOU!

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Let me tell you what a joke it is to think that the homeless/disabled can receive benefits from this state.

It's pathetic.

Recently denied food benefits because I do not pay rent and utilities, and because the state refuses to provide accommodations for my disability.

First, because of my visual impairment I require that the state provides me effective communication for my visual disability. They do not and send me letters and forms that I can't read. I have no idea who these pieces of mail are coming from. So then they cut my SNAP(food benefits) program because I didn't respond to them.

Once I figured out that I wasn't getting any more food benefits, I contacted the agency and it took weeks till I finally received a reply. I was contacted yesterday and told to come in and get help to fill out the form. In past years they have failed to allow me this option. This was a first, but not the first time my benefits were cut for the same reason.

So, I just reapplied for SNAP yesterday. (SNAP is a federal program administered through the states, provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being). I received a phone call just now from the agent at the SNAP office who informed me that because I don't have rent or utilities to pay, I'm not eligible for SNAP of more than $23 (twenty three dollars) a month. I told her to keep it. I can't even purchase the basics of food with twenty three dollars! I was receiving around $200 previously.

By the way, SNAP in Colorado does not apply to prepared foods. So for the homeless who don't have access to a microwave, an oven, a refrigerator et cetera, well, we're screwed!

It's too bad there aren't any ATTORNEYS WITH BALLS willing to go after agencies like this who failed to comply with the federal laws of civil rights and the ADA.

I'm referring to step one, providing effective communication so that I can be aware of what is going on with my benefits. Several years ago I was represented by the United States Department of Agriculture vs the State of Colorado for this reason that they have failed to provide me effective communication. The result of the settlement was in my favor, no financial result, but simply that the agency must provide me the effective communication under federal laws. Well this never happened. I contacted the USDA and they failed to foIlow up.

I contacted Congressman Doug Lamborn's office advising them that my food benefits were cut because I couldn't reply to forms that were not accessible to me. I advised them I contacted USDA and received no reply. I received NO REPLY from the congressman's office.

I went to Lamborn's office once before for a similar assistance, and they had no clue about the laws pertaining to effective communication and the A.D.A. Not sure why I even bothered again.

I'm totally done with this bullshit!

Photo: Livin' in the backseat...

FYI: I do go to a food bank, however, I'm very limited to what I can receive due to the fact that I have no refrigeration or preparation equipment available to me. It costs me about $60 a month, just for ice to keep my cooler in the car cold. I receive disability income but after expenses and bills that I must pay, I have a residual of under $70 for the month. That goes towards gas for my vehicle, food and ice.

For those unfamiliar with my background:

I have been unable to secure employment because of my visual disability accommodations that I require. In 1991 I was given multiple diagnosies due to being misdiagnosed and provided wrong medications relative to the wrong diagnosies. These included being declared legally blind.

Since graduating high school in 1976, I have attended nine universities, have obtained several diplomas, and attend continuing education. Due to my disabilities I have had to change my career several times.

I started out in the music

and entertainment industry, having worked directly with some of the greatest musicians and celebrities.

I have worked in emergency services / emergency management / law enforcement for more than fifty years both as a volunteer and paid employee. In 1988 I had to disable out from the Sheriff's Office due to job related medical issues.

I also worked in the non-profit world. Over about the same period of time, I have organized or assisted in organizing 11 nonprofits and have raised millions of dollars for charity. I still head a nonprofit charity. These positions were not paid, but volunteer. This based on my upbringing, to help others in need.

My objective of course would be to retain a stable environment to reside, and then to obtain employment, as I would prefer to be able to support myself. I have several medical issues of which treatments have been put on hold by the providers because I don't live in a stable environment for recovery.

I am alone. I have no family here. The family I have back east, are dealing with their own medical issues and are unable to assist me.

I am mobile, parking in areas where it has been safe.

Your donation would be gratefully accepted to be used toward helping me to achieve this goal. Thank you!

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