#poverty resources

[cleverclovers]

Here are resources for if you're like me, living below the poverty line, with or without disabilities

Everyone is allowed to exist, to take up space, to have and eat food, to have housing and warmth and medical care. the USA does NOT make this easy. It should, but it prioritizes companies and the wealthy over it's citizens.

There are resources you can use if you're making less than 30% of the median income in your area in most places. You can find out what it is via google, by looking up your county's social services website. Not social security, social services.

If you're relying exclusively on SSA programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you ARE below that income level.

If you have a disability that keeps you from working, like severe anxiety, depression, a severe mental impairment or a light sensitive/stress sensitive medical condition like a seizure disorder or a heart issue, or most kinds of movement issues that bar you from meeting requirements like being able to lift over 50 pounds, you can talk to your doctor, get documentation, and apply for that assistance. There is no shame in applying. Just remember you should think about what you can do on your *worst* days, not on a good day. Exclusively think about your worst days when you're asking your doctor or applying for assistance, because those worst days are what are keeping you from working, or losing employment opportunities.

You can apply for SSA online, but be prepared for an in person interview, and assessment by a doctor of their choosing. If you're denied, get a lawyer. They can help you appeal and they get paid only when you get approved, so they're highly motivated to get you approved.

Things that are available to you if you're under that median income, regardless of whether you're on an SSA:

Department of (vocational) Rehabilitation-- It might go by another name in your state, but they can help you get testing for neuro divergent conditions like ADHD or Autism, address physical limitations, and help you find education, therapies to allow you to work around your issues, and help you find employment that meets your needs. This is available to you if you've been out of the workforce for a long time, as well, for whatever reason. Whether you were a home maker, or you were serving time.

Ticket to Work--A program available through social security. You can apply for this if you've been on social security for a while, and you feel like you're ready to reenter the work force. You will be given a list of companies that work with social security, and you're likely to work fewer hours or under the minimum wage. Your social security may be lowered based on your income with the program, so that's something to keep in mind.

Unemployment (through your social services branch), available if you've lost your job via firing, generally not if you've quit, to my knowledge. You have to prove you're actively seeking employment, and check in a few times a week or a few times a month based on your situation and location. Be prepared with printed out proof of your applications being turned in. Put it in a binder with plastic sleeves, use dividers to mark batch dates. The more professional you make it look the better.

Disability leave income-- This is dependent on your employer, in a lot of places, but it could be available to you. You can, and should, seek medical assistance if you're injured on or off the job to the point where it's severely impairing your work. If it's to a point where you're unable to work with accommodations, but it's recoverable, apply for disability. If it's not recoverable, apply for social security

Section 8 housing-- Available through HUD (Housing and urban development), usually a lottery or a waitlist. You have to make sure you pay attention to when applications open, and have proof of income available. Have your proof of income ready, wherever your income comes from.

Low income housing--Available in a case by case basis, first come first serve, and they generally prioritize disabled people, elderly, and families, especially families with young children or single incomes. The HUD.gov website has an interactive map that will show you it's locations, and the locations of housing that is taxpayer funded, or other forms of low income assisted programs. You apply for these on an individual building basis, and waitlists can be months to years long depending on your chosen location's population density (In san francisco, for instance, a waitlist for a low income place can be eight or more years long) You'll also need to have proof of income ready.

Charities for low income people are available to help you with deposits and first months rent, or rent for a month when you're in a pinch (One month per each 12 month period) in most urban locations. 211 can help you find these resources

Medicaid--Apply through your social services office, or social security if you're receiving it. Social services will require yearly renewal, social security will keep it up to date for you.

SNAP benefits-- You apply through social services, and you need to have all your documents ready. Proof of income, your rent information, formal or informal (either through a formal landlord or an agreement between you and your roommate or parents) as well as proof of bills and residency. If you have social security this is now available to you in most places. Use it

Cash aid--Not available to people who have social security, but it IS available to people on unemployment, disability leave, or who are generally under employed. You apply for this through social services when you're applying for SNAP.

Reduced public transit fare, or gas cards--Available in limited locations, usually urban. You should look up whether it's available in your area, and whether you have to apply through your medical insurance provider, through the transit authority office, or through your social services case worker. It's different everywhere. If you struggle with transportation, it's vital you apply.

Utility assistance--Either through the provider, or through your city. You should be prepared to offer your proof of income, whether it's social security, or SNAP, or sometimes even proof of public medical, as well as proof of residency (your lease and or official government mail, like the DMV, or financial mail like a bank statement or a utility bill)

Phone or internet assistance--Via the Federal Communications Act. Applications are only available until February 7, 2024, but your internet provider may put the cut off for turning in proof of acceptance as today (February 6, 2024), and this program will likely only be available until April. You can receive either internet assistance (up to 30 dollars), or a free cell phone with data up to one gig. You cannot get both.

Food banks. So many food banks. You have to google where they are in your area, and they may not have a lot of the things you would normally eat. A lot of it is the food people think is 'ugly' or is bordering on stale or about to hit it's expiration date, but food is food, and food close to it's expiration date can still be eaten up to two weeks after the date in a lot of cases. It's best to look up what can be eaten past it's expiration, but it's possible in a lot of situations. You just have to get really creative with what they give you. You can use these once a month, and be prepared to be honest about how many people you're feeding. If there are multiple unrelated adults in a household, you have to go separately. (I don't personally use them because I have allergies and cross contamination can be a real problem with this option. They may not have kosher or halal food, especially if it's through a christian church, and they're not likely to have meat) Some food banks will deliver if you have mobility or transportation issues.

Pet food banks--The ASPCA has these listed on their website. You can use them once monthly for pet food, clean up supplies, or pet toys. It's based on what they have available, it's not always going to be a lot, and they recommend you try other sources first, or have a back up plan. But if you need to cover a gap, it's an option. Some places have delivery as an option.

If there's a program I don't have listed, it's likely I don't know about it, and I encourage you to add it to the list. Enlighten me. Maybe there's something you know about that I don't, and it's something I can use.

Disclaimer: I don't know anything about programs or resources for unhoused people. I have been unhoused, but in that period I did not know to look for resources, and that was more than twelve years ago, now.

#poverty #poverty resources #social support #social security #social services #food insecurity #housing insecurity #section 8 #low income #unemployment #underemployed #disabled #vocational rehabilitation

[chromanebula]

We Are Here For You

I know a lot of you are worried, sad, and angry about what has just happened in American politics. 

Maybe you yourself are in a bad place, and would face great hardship if you were to get pregnant right now. Maybe you fear the same for a friend, or a group of people you love, now that abortion is no longer a (legal) option in some states. But please know that whatever your situation, there is still hope. Planned Parenthood clinics will still be open to offer free/low-cost birth control, including long-acting implants and IUDs,* as well as other services.  Even more importantly, many private charities and/or public programs in all states are hard at work addressing the tragedies like poverty, healthcare disparities, abuse, and assault that can make pregnancy so trying in the first place. Regardless of the legal status of abortion, they will stay open to serve those in need.

My friend has compiled a list of resources here. In addition, if you are in a crisis situation--pregnancy-related or not, in the U.S. or elsewhere, in a red or blue state--please reach out to me, and I can listen to you and help connect you with the support you need. You can DM me on Tumblr, and I am also on Discord at chromanebula#9540. 

We are here for you. Now and always.

*(Just please be aware that if you have an IUD and know/suspect that you’re pregnant anyway, there’s a significant risk it is ectopic--especially if you have any of these warning signs--and you will need emergency medical treatment. Regular abortion procedures WILL NOT suffice, and may even make it worse.)

#pregnancy resources #poverty resources #mental health resources #birth control #dobbs decision #dobbs v. jackson #support each other #life advocate feminist #authentic autistic

[pratchettquotes]

Holiday Theme: Happy Hogswatch

IT IS HOGSWATCH, said Death, AND PEOPLE DIE ON THE STREETS. PEOPLE FEAST BEHIND LIGHTED WINDOWS AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE NO HOMES. IS THIS FAIR?

"Well, of course, that's the big issue--" Albert began.

THE PEASANT HAD A HANDFUL OF BEANS AND THE KING HAD SO MUCH HE WOULD NOT EVEN NOTICE THAT WHICH HE GAVE AWAY. IS THIS FAIR?

"Yeah, but if you gave it all to the peasant then in a year or two he'd be just as snooty as the king--" began Albert, jaundiced observer of human nature.

Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

#DEATH #albert #hogfather #discworld #terry pratchett #fairness #unfair #classism #poverty #resources #gifts #philosophy #ethics #holidays #the big issue #jaundiced observer of human nature #holiday theme: happy hogswatch

[kartsie]

Todd brain rot (and Sheila too I guess)

#baby jason protection squad #jason todd #catherine todd #willis todd #boo Sheila #sheila haywood #I think Willis should also get a more in depth and nuanced backstory but my girl Catherine gets hers first!!! #batman #bruce wayne #red hood #dc comics #shameless Catherine Todd stan #Willis I think did love Jason but didn’t show it well or in a good way #poverty really pushed the todds into a corner with few resources to help them #basically there’s so much there for a really layered and good story with interesting aspects to explore and they deserve that #doesn’t excuse any of the crap he did like AT ALL but I do think there’s a good story there #my art

[pucket]

the fact that most rental agreements require income to be 3x rent.... rent is THEFT

#renting #LITERALLT WHO RHE FUCK IS MAKING 3X RENT ANYMORE EVERYONE I KNOW IS STRUGGLING #ive been looking into resources for friends of mine but also curious myself and i stg? #landlords and real estate companies are all complacent in our poverty and housing crisis. idc what the situation is or how 'good' they are.

[darkwood-sleddog]

i'm still baffled that people think they are owed engagement on this website.

#tumblr #people do not have to engage with you exactly the way you want #also in the same vein you do not need to post every day #you do not need to get reblogs #who gives a fuck #this isn't twitter #i have posted the same sorta stuff since i had like 4 followers and 400 and 4000 #am i happy to see things get notes? sometimes? #but mostly not bc the posts that blow up are so often things i put zero effort into and get taken for a ride around tumblr #like that one about food deserts that people took SO out of hand #i had to provide links and resources but legit people in the notes go ??? confused #instead of asking me still #anyways poverty is systemic

[ceadgearst]

im really hungry right now and im tired of places passing me off to be someone’s else’s problem when the problem is that I want some fucking food

THIS SHIT IS UNLIVABLE AND IM TIRED OF ACTING LIKE ITS FORGIVABLE

DO YOU THINK THESE RESOURCE PAPERS

PACKETS

DO YOU THINK THEY FILL MY STOMACH

DO YOU ACT LIKE THINGS ARE OKAY

BECAUSE OF WHERE I AM ALLOWS YOU TO BE WHERE YOU ARE

DO YOU SIT IN YOUR MID PRICED CAR AND CRY

BEHIND EVERY PLEASURE, EVERY ENDEAVOR

IN AMERICA SOMEONE DIES

SOMEONE CRIES FROM HUNGER

SOMEONE CRIES FOR THE MOTHER

THE OTHER THING, THE OTHERING

THE SUFFERING

THE RUMBLING IN MY GULLET

I don’t know how to mull it

and when I do get to eat, taste is a privilege

have you ever had expired generic

pair it

a hair inch of taste in a macaroni paste

powder and pasta cause they donate, don’t waste!

they just forget the case

the pace of everyone around them

The recipe called for butter and milk

I had zilch

I mixed the powder with water and got it a little hotter

I sauntered the noodles faintly stained yellow

it’s hard to be mellow when you’re such a hungry fellow

well, oh

I don’t know

#poetry #original poem #poem #poverty #im tired of fucking money #and resource places acting like they’re helping when they don’t #im just hungry and mad #and that conflict is unresolved rn

[bruciemilf]

I think one of my fav fics had Jason like loving his mom deeply right- but also had him being like , that was not a good place for a child and she made some mistakes but she loved me and I love her ,

Cause like that’s what growing up is.. seeing your parents as humans ya? (Plus it paralleled his relationship with Bruce and stuff v good)

YES! EXACTLY!! everyday I'm.begging dc stans to understand imperfect parents shouldn't equate bad parents.

#ofc i know Catherine made mistakes but for me it's so disheartening to think abt bc I KNOW its so rooted into apathy for drug addicts #you can absolutely feel pain for jason due to his environment while understanding catherine: #a) did not have the resources nor the help to do something abt it due to the corruption in gotham making it impossible for poverty striken #neighbours to better itself. b) she died before she COULD #not to mention the outside influences jason CANONICALLY hated more than any drug. you can also acknowledge all the good sacrifices and love #and effort she made for him. trying to give him something in a system where they're NOTHING. #catherine was jason's batman before bruce #and in addition to that-- im kinda tired with dc stans rejecting any parental figure thats not cutter cookie perfect #you wont fucking get that in dc #asks

[ancient-healer]

#landbastards #stevedeservedit #🔥 #parasite #communism #rent #rentisdue #landback #capitalist #indigenous #native american #prepper #who the fuck are you #fascisim #landgrab #natural resources #poverty #community #permanent shelter #family #survival #government #democracy #stress #slavery #billionares shouldnt exist

[thrythlind]

Real life ghost-believer

Full specter appears walking down the hall.

"Can you just not right now? I'm tired."

"Paranormal Investigators" on Reality TV Shows

Random house settling noise

"Ackkkk!! There's a demon coming to get us!"

#paranormal #ghosts #paranormal investigation #reality TV #I lean toward belief but haven't encountered anything conclusive and like yeah my poverty-line self has the resources to do a proper study

[feyinvestigations]

Yeah maybe I'm formatting an entire fic bc I think a female character could be very interesting but I've literally only found one fic that treats her as nuanced even though she was introduced in 1983

#this post is abt catherine todd #shes one of those ''died before the story started'' types but she literally gets no characterizations #like she is either a. the worlds worst mom ever or b. she was a great mom until she died of a mysterious illness #DESPITE THE FACT that canonically she A) died of a very well known illness (addiction) and B) was ALSO A VERY GOOD MOM #SHE LOVED HER SON! HE LOVED HER! HE SPENT OVER A YEAR TRYING TO SAVE HER LIFE #like. her entire story is meant to hammer in the issues with /Systemic Violence/ specifically in relevance to those who are low income #and a major aspect of that form of violence is lack of resources. ESPECIALLY in relevance to addicts #i wouldnt even mind the mysterious illness thing too much if it wasnt being used just as an easy way to remove her from the story #like! talk abt the american healthcare system! talk abt the connection between chronic illness and poverty #talk abt HOW povery affects people w chronic illness #i think if you are going to use a tragedy in your narrative you must think about Why the tragedy happened and if it was Avoidable #the purpose of her story is that if she had had the proper resources/support SHE WOULD HAVE LIVED. #Batposting

[hereticallyeverafter]

I keep my private life private and just use Tumblr for art, religion, and fandom reblogs, but let me just tell you guys... I hate that "welfare queen" stereotype shit. Being poor is so hard. Having a disabled child and navigating through the red tape every day is so hard. It's every. Day.

So many resources exist to help you... but lots of times, you have to find them. The most useful resources I got were from word of mouth. And then the ones that exist to help you, you have to twist their arms to do it.

Even if you see the bummiest bum on the street, or a single mom with three kids and her nails done, jfc leave poor people alone, I'm so tired.

#poverty #disabilities #disability resources #bootstraps is such a lie

[dirhwangdaseul-archived]

What do you consider to be mexican middle class culture and why do you hate it so much?

mmmm i had a longer response months ago and it deleted so i got unmotivated to answers this but i think i simplified it: its actually negative culture, basically nothing except the directive of success which must be dictated by the images created by the west's white supremacy image of economic success, so mexican homes look like european tv homes or us tv homes, and the propaganda from the us in particular gets translated simply for us and so the images there like coca cola's or cleaning products, or beauty items and men's health carries usually images of family or the self and so people wanna be that, which means that the only times these mexicans connect to the culture is with popular celebrations, or the food of which they usually have no indepth knowledge of origins, importance or even proper ingredients to prepare either, there's a disconnect entirely with the self and the very definitions of community and culture and all of these things are unspoken, you're expected to acquiesce silently, to conform, to not confront, which creates very tense and often abusive relationships for not complying to that image and daring to challenge its capitalist and white supremacist roots because the thing is that is not new and it happened right after spain was expelled, very few criollos ever truly examined the cruelty and power of their own families in favor of simply gaining control of ignorant populations idk sth like this

#i had sources and shit but ugh whatever just go to twitter and the whitexicans stories and tags and you'll see #you'll see how empty mexicans that make up the visibility of media and rep and even access to technology are #towns with poverty maintain culture due to the isolation provoked by shitty private transport systems #and gvt losing control to foreign industries often unregulated snd able to abuse the resources of a region #is a whole disaster of parasitic relationships from big powers but mostly white supremacy wnd its capital #méxico #el suco answers #basically people raised by white supremacy in media and money #and only the bare links of language and dates on a calendar as 'traditions' make them mexican so

[thefiresofpompeii]

i don’t want to kill myself but looking at the future sometimes i feel like i have no other option. i fucked it up too far without anticipating consequences and it’s too late to make a change or strive towards any kind of hopeful meaningful existence. there is no way out for someone like me who has nothing going for them, squandered any opportunity, any talent, everything that was handed to them on a silver platter. no interesting personality traits, no aptitudes, nothing to make up for the gaping void where motivation and will to live and thrive and put in effort towards a goal should be. even the most basic steps are a pipe dream. i don’t want to die because i fear the possibility of hell but i no longer see any tolerable way of living.

#i reread parts of mark fisher’s capitalist realism last night and i know it’s unhealthy for theory to cement your own depressive spiral but #i’m thinking of him. even an accomplished thinker and it’s all the fucking same #i’m goinh to listen to swans and cry. i skipped class again and for fucking what #notice how it’s all i i i i i. i have no community no support network no close friends no partner nothing #only my parents who are affluent enough to support me financially but that support is conditional because if #they knew about what i was really like and even parts of my identity that support would be cut off and because i #have no marketable skills i would be left penniless to beg on the street #how long can i keep pretending to be cis and depending on them for vital necessities? until i’m 22? 25? #dropping out isn’t even an option because a bachelors’ degree is prerequisite to getting ANY job that pays above minimum wage but i #feel no passion for the subject i’m studying despite it being literally one of the only things i used to be GREAT at (media analysis; so — #lit major; on foundations for liberal arts; which should be all about PASSION FOR THE SUBJECT) #i’m teetering on the precipice of a steep cliff that drops down into the abyss of abject poverty with no way out #i don’t know what i enjoy doing; what to dedicate my resources and energy to; if i have none left. i don’t even smoke or drink or do drugs #it’s just sober suffering in silence. of course the meds don’t fucking help; meds can’t alter the world around us or our circumstances #this fucking close to going out and buying a rope. i have free will :)) hell can’t be real; it can’t be. worst that could #happen is reincarnation and honestly i could go for a second chance #jamie.txt #tw suicidal ideation

[deardragonbook]

Writing Reference - Perception of richness and poverty

If there’s one thing I’ve realised over the years, most people don’t see themselves as poor or rich. 

Most people assume they are just normal. No matter how much money they make or how they live. 

Even if they live in a large home with a large garden and have no trouble paying their bills, they see billionaires on the news and think, “they’re rich, I am not.”

Even if they struggle to pay their bills and don’t always know where their next meal comes from, they see people who are homeless and think, “I’m not poor, they are.” 

You’re probably no exception to this rule. I certainly am not. I remember a year ago explaining to my boyfriend that I was middle class. He laughed and looked it up... apparently my definition of rich is middle class. I was just refusing to admit I was poor. Still a bit upset by that, ignorance truly is bliss. 

Anyways, why is this relevant when writing? 

Well, if we’re writing a character we perceive as rich or poor, we may automatically assume they know this. 

But unless they are extremely rich or poor, or they’ve researched at some point, they probably won’t be that knowledgeable about their financial status, just seeing themselves as normal. 

And I know this might not seem like a big deal, but it actually is, it’s a huge part of the issues we face in society nowadays, the inability to distinguish class, causing us to assume everybody is capable of the same things when realistically, we aren’t. 

So if their class, their financial situation, is relevant to your writing, then the perception of such should also be relevant. 

As usual, check out my book, stories I’ve written plus other social medias: here.    

#writing reference #writing resource #writing tip #writing trick #writing tips #writing tricks #how I write #how to write #writing rich #writing poverty

[sharlmbracta]

so maybe the point of living is of the one reason to live instead of the other reasons not to

#this is not a suicide post #just thinking stuffs #but like i don't really wanna glorify “living” as in “living is so great life is all beautiful :)” as well #especially when reality is like Right There. war still happening. genocide still happening. all sorts of fucked up oppression misinfo #chronic suffering generational poverty still happening. not even getting started on hate crimes shootings and the government #actively giving Not A Care as people literally die out all around. yet the same faces say “don't kill urself <3” or maybe not. #but the media does and they probably do be like that to save face #them + a lot of people act like they know shit outside their living environment when they Do Not Actually Know Shit #probably myself included #and think that they're Always Somehow Right #+ the inherently wealthier you are the inherently ignorant you are about needs that People Do Actually Fucking Need #and having really no idea how much resources are actually given to the people #because they don't know what it truly means to live just to survive #just because they were luckier to be born in a wealthier/supportive/resourceful environment #which is not a fucking choice you can make but i don't think they ever 'really' understood that #still the media screaming of supporting equity and diverseness even now #so in that sense i guess #the world is built on lies :) #eh #cw rant #cw depression #or something #not really #ok kinda