Social Security Cost of Living
By CharRay7
@CharRay7 (1549)
United States
December 21, 2009 4:51pm CST
Hi everyone,
I am 51 years old and live in the USA. I have been receiving Social Security Disability for the past 10 years because of my medical problems. I depend on that monthly check to survive: pay bills, buy food etc.
Every year in January, I usually get a cost of living increase in my SSI. Well this year, since the government says that this country's cost of living has decreased, I, like many Americans, do not get an increase in our check. I don't understand this. There are many things that have gone up in price the last year such as groceries, medicine, heating and cooling bills, etc. I would think that since we are having to pay more that we should get an increase too.
What do you think?
Happy MyLotting!
Char 
2 people like this
11 responses
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
22 Dec 09
[b][/b]Hey Char! I have just started receiving SSD in June and they
are making me pay $447 for Medicaid! I live in NYS and can't
possibly afford this amount of money taken out of the SSD check
that is supposed to pay my rent, electricity, and all my other
bills! So, how do you think I feel? I am left with just barely
enough to pay my rent and they want the rest for Medicaid! And
I can't even see my own doctors because they don't take Medicaid!
They forced me off the PPO Medicaid plan because "I am getting
too much money" for that plan! Yeah, right! Meanwhile, I am
disabled and they are now telling me that I NEED TO GET A JOB!!!
Now, if I could do that, then why the phuck did they declare me
disabled?
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
24 Dec 09
That is terrible! Now, pardon me if I am noisy (you don't have to answer if you don't want to), why were you declared as disabled? Why do they think you should go back to work? Could you go back to work (according to your doctors)?
Are you getting money from 401k or savings? Do you contact other programs to make money? (Surveys, mysteryshopping?) Just let me know if you want to know.
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Hi Opal,
OMG they are really screwing you!! They just isn't right at all. Luckily, I get Medicare not Medicaid for my medical coverage while on SSD. It works pretty well. It doesn't pay as well as traditional insurance companies, but with all my problems, it sure is better than nothing.
At the rate they are going, they are going to put you out in the street or make you go on Public Aid. Unbelievable!!
Happy MyLotting!
Char
1 person likes this
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
22 Dec 09
We're in the same boat you're in and think it's totally misguided. They were telling on the news this morning that the U.S. sends $150 million a year to Ruwanda and Lord knows how much to other countries around the world each year, and yet the government doesn't have enough to keep give social security the cost of living increase it should be getting. I realize that people in other countries need our help, but shouldn't the helping begin at home with the people who were taxpayers for so many years?
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
24 Dec 09
I didn't know about that, but I am sure that is a tax write off for someone. SS is broken as the costs keep going up and up and not enough funds to pay into it.
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Thanks for your response!!
I totally agree with you. The U.S. government should be helping it's own citizens before throwing money to uncivilized nations. Everyone needs help these days, but we as Americans, have paid into this fund over the years we worked and were employed. I wish they would think of us first.
Happy MyLotting!
Char
I totally agree with you. The U.S. government should be helping it's own citizens before throwing money to uncivilized nations. Everyone needs help these days, but we as Americans, have paid into this fund over the years we worked and were employed. I wish they would think of us first.
Happy MyLotting!
Char 
@peavey (16936)
• United States
22 Dec 09
No Social Security benefits, including retirement benefits, got a cost of living raise this year. The cost of living index they use does not include food. I'm not sure exactly what it does include, but I think one thing is the cost of heating oil/gas.
This is just a taste of what is to come because of our economic situation and the way it's being handled right now.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Thanks for your response!
Yes I heard that there was no cost of living increase for any of the social security beneficiaries, which I think stinks. I am like you, I don't know what they include when they figure the cost of living, but whatever it is, they need to reevaluate it, that's for sure.
I'm hoping the economy will rebound and we will all be better off this time next year!
Happy MyLotting!
Char
Yes I heard that there was no cost of living increase for any of the social security beneficiaries, which I think stinks. I am like you, I don't know what they include when they figure the cost of living, but whatever it is, they need to reevaluate it, that's for sure.
I'm hoping the economy will rebound and we will all be better off this time next year!
Happy MyLotting!
Char 1 person likes this
@joerhonda (476)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I believe you should get an increase, but it all about government control! People think that this is a free country and it's not! The government controls every aspect of our lives! Everything that happens in this country and every decision that is made in DC is for a reason and it Is NOT in our best interest! Unfortunately they've got you right where they want you! I know times are tough and I wish you the best of luck!
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Thanks for your response!
I agree with you but I still feel that our country is a free country compared to a lot of other countries that are out there. I do believe that the people in D.C. are doing the best to try to turn things around. I just hope it works!
Happy MyLotting!
Char
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
21 Dec 09
I would think that food,utilities ,and medicine go up.I thought they based it on those things.You'll be spending more.I do think you should get an increase.I used to get social security disability,so I remember getting an increase each year.
1 person likes this
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
21 Dec 09
I, of course, totally agree with you. I sure the heck have no clue on how they figure it out. I guess this is the first time in a very long time that they haven't giving the cost of living increase to SSI recipients. What a bummer!
Happy MyLotting!
Char
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
22 Dec 09
sounds like the government doesn't have any extra money to give out,
it is the same here, I am not sure if my disabilty check is going up in January I haven't heard a thing.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Hello Char, yes I would think they would give you a raise. Are you interested in applying for a check or savings account? My bank is generous and giving $25 and $50 if a savings or checking is opened (respectfully). I had a discussion about it on here, hehe. Just a thought.
I'd suggest doing mystery shops if possible. As you see there will be no increase of living. May I ask how much you receive? Do you think your spouse or family could help you? Perhaps you could use your retirement, savings, or extra money that you had when you worked? I don't know your situation, but I agree you'd think they would give a raise to you.
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I hope you didn't vote for the current administration. Everything the government does goes up, but the people who work to make the government money always get the shaft. There will be a reckoning one day.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168420)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Dec 09
I just recieved my annual letter from SS telling me of my increase and how much goes to other things and what my balance each month this year will be. I had heard early this year from some other SS recipients that the decrease was going to happen yet saw nothing on SS.gov or anywhere else. Just from SSI recipients.
@celebratelifeh (1142)
• China
22 Dec 09
i have not very knowledge about your social security system and i also think that's not a good news to hear that the price of everything is increaseing but the payment not increased so we only can decrease the food.not buy new clothes. do everything we can do to save the money.good luck .
