I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs.
And suddenly I became one of them. The experience has taught me a lot about the value of a strong social safety net — and why we’ll need to protect it from the coming administration.
I was ashamed and frightened after what happened, but I scraped myself up off the floor and tried to make the best of it.
I’d worked with aging people earlier in my career, so I was familiar with at least some of the groups who could help. I reached out to a local nonprofit and they came through with flying colors, connecting me to life-saving federal assistance programs.
I was assigned a caseworker, who guided me through applying for public programs like the Medical Savings Plan (MSP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), subsidized housing, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid.
It’s hard to describe my relief at getting this help.
Before receiving the MSP, I’d been paying for medications and health insurance — which cost about $200 — out of my monthly Social Security check. With MSP, that cost is covered. I also found an apartment I liked through subsidized housing, and I have more money for groceries through SNAP. Now it’s easier to afford other necessities, like hearing aid batteries and my asthma inhaler.
But I’m worried about the incoming administration’s plans to cut programs like these, which have helped me so much. They’re proposing slashing funding and imposing overly burdensome work and reporting requirements. Studies show that requirements like these can cause millions of otherwise eligible people to lose critical assistance.
President-elect Trump has also indicated that he favors increased privatization of Medicare, which would result in higher costs and less care. And his tax promises are projected to move up the insolvency date of Social Security.
All told, the federal budget cuts the incoming Republican majority in Congress has put forward would slash health care, food, and housing by trillions over the next 10 years, resulting in at least a 50 percent reduction in these services. And they plan to divert those investments in us into more tax cuts for the nation’s very wealthiest.
I want lawmakers of each party to know how important these social investments are for seniors and families. Older Americans — who’ve worked hard all our lives — shouldn’t be pushed out onto the streets, forced to go without sufficient food or health care due to unfortunate circumstances.
We have the tax dollars — the question is whether we have the political will to invest in seniors, workers, and families, or only for tax cuts for the very rich. If we do the latter, that’s the real scam.
Sherlea Dony is a retired American Sign Language interpreter, consultant on access services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and copy editor currently living in Rochester, New York. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.
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Bill
Sherlea Dony must be a good democrat, while she complains about what Donald Trump may do to save the economy she ignores the Billions Biden has given away coasting our taxpayers massive debt.
12/7/2024 Biden announces $1 billion in humanitarian aid and $600 million for African infrastructure investments
Friday, December 20, 2024 Report this
rayfusco68
Way to be a freaking jerk,Bill. Ms. Dony is talking about the need that many of our seniors and fellow country men and women of for the safety net programs currently in place for the less fortunate in OUR country. Your idiotic comment has nothing to do with their need for safety net support. As the saying goes "charity begins at home" and we do need to ensure that safety net programs remain strong for our needy fellow Americans. One place that this can begin is by eliminating the cap on earnings for social security taxes and tax all income not just wages. Medicare for all would also be a positive step in the right direction.
Sunday, December 22, 2024 Report this
Charles
An opportunity for huge profits for a tiny percentage of the population (who already have more money than they can spend) off the reduction of the safety net for our elderly and poor; a reduction of services and increase in costs for the first public service provided to our citizens, the post office and mail delivery; and cutting back on health services to citizens to create profits, is the blatent objective of the proposals. In a country where all easily could enjoy a basic security, safe food and medicines, essential health care, and an inexpensive and centuries old means to communicate — is simply pedatory. The warnings about Project 2025 went unheaded by those conned when the plan immediately was "disowned" with another big lie to the real suckers and losers — now it is up to the rest to fend it off. Dump every politician supporting such things and those espousing them. Find, fund, and elect honest candidates and get initiatives on the ballot that truly reflect the will of the people.
Only informed voters are able to turn this around.
Sunday, December 22, 2024 Report this