Elderly Handicapped single Disabled unable to get EBT, Section 8, & Medicine

To help change policy in the CA State government for EBT program, Federal Government for Section 8 rent assistance.

Many elderly, single, medically-handicapped, and/or disabled El Cajon, CA, residents including myself are unable to obtain or apply for EBT food assistance, Cal Fresh, when there is a great need. This stems from a State policy, which was referenced by Social Security Office case worker Ms. Barajas x11903 and then again today by Mr. Garcia 619 2282963 Health & Human Services San Diego County CA.

Please note: Per http://www.city-data.com/housing/houses-El-Cajon-California.html , the lower quartile for rent is $793. Per this website http://www.socialsercurity.gov , an SSI check "is to cover rent, clothing, and food."

After a long career as an artist in the international music industry (Grammy voting member) I was forced by multiple disabling accidents - injuries into early retirement. My sole source of income consists now of SSI/SSA payments which totals $909/month. Due to my situation, my landlord currently holds my rent at $700/month currently which in San Diego & Los Angeles CA is not even cost of a single space rent. Refer to article posted here on Care2 by s.e.smith titled "what happens when housing becomes unaffordable for people with disabilities". Income of $399 SSA & $510 SSI/SDI = $909 per month.

Minus my rent below the normal cost for a poor area of a CA city leaves $202 to pay for food, gas, electricity, phone, TV, internet, clothing, laundry, auto gas & insurance, toiletries, cleaning and paper products, over the counter medications, makeup, etc. HOW to live with this?  Even 'meals on wheels' that delivers food to the needy is a non-profit that also requires a fee. Then the low Co-payments on medicines can be $25 a month for elderly handicapped disabled single people with Kaiser HMO since the Kaiser financial assistance program does not cover anyone getting only SDI/SSI/SSA income. How do the elderly handicapped disabled single people to live without medications that maintain health & life? I have two solutions.

Solution #1: The EBT allowance is $50.00 a week to help any qualified single adult with no children or family assistance. The current policy of no EBT being allowed (Cal Fresh) for elderly, single, medically-handicapped, disabled women & men, with SDI/SSI/SSA, needs to be brought into the light. The SDI/SSI/SSA allotment to cover or meet food, clothing, rent, needs a policy change on a per personal needs allotment. Note: From email of Ms. Lawrence Soc. Sec. Office District Manager 866-964-6641 http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0501801030 shows CA is the only State in 50 where this EBT application is not allowed and the maximum allowed amount in CA for SSI/SSA together is $909. Reference the article from prior CARE2.com website about "...housing unafforable for handicapped"

Solution #2: My other concern is the slow pace of approval for Section 8 subsidized rents/housing assistance for those in need. I applied for this program in 2009. Five years later 2014 I was told my name was on the list but it would take 3 more years to be addressed due to the federal hold on the funding of this program. That won't be until 2017, eight years after applying! I called 1 877 478 5478 Supervisor of this program in San Diego who confirmed in 2015 that it takes 6 to 10 years for the application to be addressed to help. I know I am not alone as I was told by the social security case worker as well as Health & Human services today.

In addition like many I suffer from hypertension, PTSD from being stalked a year and my life threatened, thyroid issues, and constant pains from multiple accidents from 2007 to 2014 plus more. As well as the mobility issues, I also require Metformin 3xs a day (diabetic boarder) plus more medical issues.  I require daily medications to remain alive verified by pharmacists & doctors when I wanted to stop taking them since I could not afford low co payments when becoming elderly after food & utilities & rent.  I've have multiple doctors letters each year stating my physical disabilities in my case with their no foreseen improvements.

I sent postal mail of this information about changing policy in January 2015 to many including: Our President Obama & his wife, Governor Brown & his wife, local Congressman Hunter, local State Senator Anderson, Federal State representatives i.e., Senator Ms. Boxer, plus the TV News (national) Fox, CNN, MSN, & local stations. I sent this same data information I've shared here, but today I was told by Mr. Garcia at H&H services I need a petition of many signatures. He said it might help in using my name to change this policy. I told him it is very hard on my pride being single alone to put my name on this because the shame of being injured unable to work anymore, left without compensation from Lufthansa airline accident  enough to pay all the doctors that treated me after legal debts. Then the no fault on car accident where I was broadsided a year later, as I was trying to recover to continue my music and career, made it harder to disclose my injuries except for the closest of friends to date. The truth really does outlast a lie. It's because of my lifetime music career which this might negatively affected or look negative on taking on this task, but I have to be selfless to help as I was making music all my life. I know it will help many more that maybe in greater need than even my current situation.

Facts are: Everyone gets older. Accidents can happen. The help is needed. Many of those single and alone, working all their lives, losing all by accidents and situations not in their control or fault, even though they do the right thing voting in all elections as good older citizens should not be ignored. They all need assistance or giving as I did give to & for many people freely all my life for those in need. Here now is an important lifesaving need as I am part of this group. Please share this policy information many do not know as it is a fact you can verify by the links I've embedded. Do this now in order to gain support for a needed change as soon as possible. 

I have NOT given up trying since January and will keep trying if you help me now.

Help me by signing this petition for a policy change where it is needed.

This list I will send again to the State of CA and our Federal representatives YOU will be a part of helping the elderly medically handicapped disabled single voters of the USA.