local man with incapacity says government program is forcing him into poverty

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forty-yr-ancient Andrew Schlesinger has spina bifida, a circumstance that requires varied medical professional visits a year for ongoing medicine and care.

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each year his health center bills add as much as a whole bunch of hundreds of dollars.

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Andrew is on SSI or Supplemental protection salary, which qualifies him for Medicaid. He additionally has Medicare in accordance with his incapacity, so the programs cope with the scientific bills. The issue is, beneath SSI Andrew is rarely approved to have greater than $2,000.00 within the bank.

He says at this rate, possessing a automobile, and a modest house is a long way out of reach.

"At age 4o i am dwelling in an residence, I do not have my very own vehicle, I will not have my very own apartment," noted Schlesinger.

Schlesinger is a clerk at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's workplace.

He has distinctive college degrees, and says he has the advantage to earn $90,000 a 12 months if he works full time.

but he's handiest working half time on account of the asset predicament imposed with the aid of SSI.

SSI became created in the early 1970's to aid the blind, aged and disabled people meet simple wants for food, clothing and shelter.

special wants have faith attorney Sean Morrison says the monthly advantage for SSI is $794, and individuals like Andrew need the program for the medical assistance.

"when you qualify for SSI you immediately qualify for different programs like Medicaid which may also be big, specifically for somebody with a disability. For individuals with disabilities or continual fitness care wants it be now not a choice in any respect, they should have fitness care and hence sure, they ought to stay impoverished or leap that hole absolutely and make lots greater cash," spoke of Morrison.

but Andrew says it be an archaic application providing a one-measurement-suits-all plan. He feels it'll be adjusted based on the range of wants and knowledge.

"The rules have been dependent long in the past in case you might purchase a car and condo for only $10,000 and that is the reason now not the case anymore. I consider restrained on a daily foundation as a result of whatever thing this is beyond my handle," said Schlesinger.

Schlesinger wrote a letter to Senator invoice Cassidy asking him to take a look at the challenge. Senator Cassidy emailed us saying, "government programs should never dis-incentivize an American from bettering their lot in life. My office is calling into this situation to find a solution that is first rate for these served and is dependable to the taxpayer."

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