• 'Elizabeth' is in good spirits, as usual.  She recently learned that the paperwork needed for her SSI appeal was given to her lawyer, from her mental health provider.   Now that the lawyer has all the necessary paperwork, a court date has been set for late July.  Before she attends the court date, she must prep for the case with her lawyer.  'Elizabeth' is scheduled to go in to see her lawyer and prepare for the court date a few weeks before the court date.  She may start receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as soon as next month.  Remarkably, thanks to the support of many people, she has been living in her own apartment without any income, but some food stamps, for the last three months.  Hopefully, her patience will pay off and she will be able to put some money down for a pet deposit and get a cat to keep her company.

  • 'Leonard' reached a milestone today.  He was finally able to get me added to his General Assistance (GA) case as a representative.  I can now call his GA case worker and determine what 'Leonard' needs to complete his GA application.  Prior to being a representative, the only time I could talk to someone at DES about his case was when he was with me and could verbally consent to me speaking to the DES rep.  This was a major inconvenience, considering 'Leonard' doesn't have a phone and he lives about 25 minutes away from CASS.  This development is in light of the decision to deny his request for GA.  GA is an important source of income for those people who suffer from a severe disability that prevents them from earning an income through steady full time employment.  It amounts to about $150 a month, which isn't much, but is better than nothing, plus it allows a person to qualify for additional subsidized housing.  This is the primary reason that 'Leonard' has applied for GA.  With General Assistance 'Leonard' may move into a supportive housing program.  He would still have his own apartment in this supportive housing program, but he'd also have the ability to participate in community events and would have staff on site 24 hours a day.  In 'Leondard's' current apartment he doesn't feel safe, and he rarely does much during the day but sit in his apartment and listen to the radio.  All of us working with 'Leonard' and 'Leonard' himself, are hoping this move to the supportive housing program takes place and believe it will mean a much better life for him.

  • 'Suzie' was recently evicted from her apartment after she didn't pay her rent for two months.  The details of why and how this happened are fuzzy, but this is certain, she was arrested twice in, once within two weeks of moving into her apartment, and spent over six weeks in jail.  One account via the apartment manager states that 'Suzie' was prostituting and using drugs again.  Most likely, 'Suzie' spent her money on drugs and was left with nothing for rent. 'Suzie' denies this accusation, she states she took out a loan and owes the bank money.  She didn't say what the loan was for or how much it was, and considering her history and arrests, it is more likely she relapsed and started prostituting again.  So, she is back at CASS and we are working on a plan to help her get back on her feet.  One of those steps involves finding a mentor for her, so when/if she does get her own place again, she is able to appropriately socialize and stay away from those behaviors that have resulted in her losing her housing several times in the last several years.  My assessment of 'Suzie' is that her lack of interests and hobbies leads to her relapsing to bad behaviors when she has a lot of free time on her hands and is living on her own.  My hope is that by having a mentor who she can paint with, go bowling with and just talk with, she will ultimately lead a much healthier life.  In addition, 'Suzie' is regularly attending 12 step groups.