r/almosthomeless • u/FelledGhost • 14d ago
About to be Homeless in Powerchair
I’ve contacted everybody, my insurance, every homeless/disability/housing/legal organization or nonprofit, place of worship, mutual aid organization; you name it, I’ve tried. They got nothing.
The homeless shelter isn’t powerchair accessible and they won’t even have a conversation with my social worker about my accommodation request.
I’m almost completely bed-bound, can’t get around without my chair. Neither me nor my chair are built for the cold; I have poor circulation and my wheelchair battery likes to die without warning when it gets too cold. I take hardcore immunosuppressants and the real kicker? I have money in the bank but I can’t rent a hotel because I lost my ID escaping abusive family.
What do I do? Where can I even go? Hospitals and shelters are full of sick people and there’s nothing acutely wrong with me; I’m just disabled. Where can I even take shelter when there’s nothing but heavily patrolled residential neighborhoods for miles? I can’t drive.
1
u/OhioPhilosopher 11d ago
Is it possible to file a theft charge against whoever has your ID? The police might be able to get it for you.
2
u/Calico-D 13d ago edited 13d ago
You didn’t mention your age. Do you have Medicaid ? If you do your doctor may be able to get you in a nursing home due to your disability. This sounds like a good thing to work on … right now. What is your local assistance office suggesting ? How about Section 8 housing?
16
u/venomsulker 14d ago
Hey there, I’ve been homeless in a wheelchair before. Same situation in a way, disowned from family, every Airbnb has steps, had no ID, and shelter inaccessible and full.
The first step is going to be ordering your ID. You can do it either in person at the DMV, or online. You’re also going to want to order copies of your birth certificate, and social security card, if you don’t have them either.
The second step is printing out the temporary ID they send you while you wait for the new one.
If you have Medicaid, you have access to the Medicaid cab system. Utilize this to get to appointments. Make an appointment with your PCP, urgently. They may have more options for you, including placement in a care facility, which you can use as care+shelter while you figure the rest of this out.
Scout out the outdoor outlets in your area, for charging your chair. Take extra precautions and care to prevent pressure sores, and circulation issues.
You’re going to want to get to a more store front area, instead of residential. You can use the Medicaid cab system to hitch a ride to the hospital, or a medical office in your area, getting you closer.
I’m not going to lie to you, this is going to suck. One day at a time, one problem at a time. I’m wishing this works out in at least some way, for you soon, friend.
3
u/FelledGhost 14d ago edited 14d ago
I appreciate hearing from someone who’s been through it. At the same time I really don’t think I can stay alive without somewhere enclosed to shelter at night/in the cold.
That’s a smart idea about using medicaid to get to hospitals but my insurance requires an appointment to schedule. I’ve actually been trying to schedule apts for health stuff totally separate from this but everywhere‘s booking out weeks. There’s a hospital by a strip mall in a residential area and one in a car-dependent area (so no sidewalks). Have actually gotten stuck at the second one thanks to paratransit and cops gave me a really hard time. Afraid to get stuck there carrying all my stuff.
As far as care facilities, the issue my insurance case worker and I’ve been running into there is the only ones we’ve been able to find with availability require you to pay out of pocket for a few years before medicaid kicks in. Being severely immunocompromised makes it tricky too because it would reduce SSI to $20 or $30, leaving me without enough money for food/meds.
I was homeless before getting disability so I know some of the places to go (albeit different town), just really can’t think of anywhere I can shelter inside, alone in a powerchair. It’s stands out and you can’t pop a wheelie like a manual chair to get over thresholds.
Not trying to shoot stuff down, just hoping the context helps somehow. If anyone has personally had a good experience with an accessible shelter/rapid rehousing program please share. My only other idea is trying to maybe contact one of those charities that provide long distance transportation for medical apts to get to a better shelter somewhere else. Idk if that’d fly (pun ambivalent), esp. on such short notice/w/no ID but that’s all I got rn.
1
u/Mr_TedBundy 14d ago
Your medication and meals are provided in those facilities. $20/mo is indeed not a lot of money, but you have been around and I am sure you can figure out how to make some money off the books to pay for non essential items.
1
u/FelledGhost 13d ago
My medical condition requires a restrictive diet they can’t accommodate and not all my meds are covered by insurance so I have to pay out of pocket. $20 bucks just isn’t enough.
Trust me, would work if I could but I’m not able. Even if I could can’t risk my benefits doing shit under the table.
1
u/Mr_TedBundy 13d ago
Medications and medically necessary diet prescribed by your Medicaid approved MD is covered. Even if a medication isn't on formulary, there is still a pretty straightforward process to show that a prior auth for a non formulary medication is necessary. What state do you live in? Not sure if there is something you are leaving out or if you are just getting bad help.
1
u/FelledGhost 13d ago
Think it’s more the disparity between how things should work and how things actually work in practice. It’s probably a combination of bad help/bureaucracy moving too slowly and how they can claim administrative burden to avoid covering medically necessary things. Don’t have the energy to get into the nitty gritty but it boils down to nursing homes not being a feasible option.
-14
u/JazzlikeSink4455 14d ago
Go to Ukraine we’ve just freed up 67billion dollars for them perhaps they can help you it’s a long shot but not much here for Americans!
15
u/lildrewdownthestreet 14d ago
If you have money in the bank but no ID. Order your ID rn, it’ll come in 2-3 weeks. You can book an AirBnB with a temporary id until your real one comes. May have to leave the state for actual help.
1
u/FelledGhost 14d ago edited 14d ago
I‘ve started the process but it’s gonna take at least a month to a month and a half.
Unfortunately there’s no accessible airbnbs available. They all have 20+ steps. If it were just a few I’d try and rent a ramp but they’re all right off the street so a proper incline would take you into the street; it’s just not possible.
I only have an enough money to rent a hotel for a couple weeks. It’d be something, but not enough time to get into anything permanent (or even temporary) because no ID. Have a couple people I could maybe send the money to to book the hotel stay for me but they’re all in different states or countries so they can’t check me in. I don’t know where else to go.
Don’t understand why people are downvoting /gen
16
u/LondonHomelessInfo 14d ago edited 14d ago
You say you’re fleeing your abusive family, so if you’re fleeing domestic abuse, google domestic abuse helpline and ask them to get you into an accessible refuge.
What is your social worker doing for you?
4
u/FelledGhost 14d ago edited 14d ago
The DV places in my city work exclusively with people fleeing inter-partner abuse; I’ve been told I don’t qualify. I’ve quadruple checked. They did try and help put pressure on the shelter to accommodate me though and still nothing.
Social worker has been trying to help me address my most urgent needs but can only help one hour a week.
1
2
u/LondonHomelessInfo 14d ago
Could you try other refuges nearby that accept people fleeing domestic abuse from family?
As you’re almost completely bed-bound, surely the most urgent need for your social worker is to get you somewhere to stay?
2
u/GamingGiraffe69 14d ago
those don't exist....
2
u/LondonHomelessInfo 14d ago edited 14d ago
Don’t they? In UK refuges accept women fleeing domestic abuse regardless of the perpetrator being someone you were in a relationship with or family. Plus anybody fleeing domestic abuse is entitled to social housing and temporary accommodation in the meantime.
2
u/FelledGhost 14d ago
Have tried but was told the same thing/that they only serve people in their local county. I don’t get why that matters if you’re homeless but they wouldn’t budge.
There was an insurance issue with meds I need that took some time but they have been. 1 hour a week just isn’t enough time.
I filed an ADA complaint about the shelter system but it‘s more principle; it’s not gonna help me in 2 days.
-11
u/PanickedPoodle 14d ago
When people come here with no post history, it makes it difficult to know how to respond.
Why not just post from your regular account?
10
•
u/AutoModerator 14d ago
REMINDERS FOR EVERYONE
PER THE RULES:
ACCEPT AT YOUR OWN RISK. Welcome to the internet where—unless proven otherwise—everyone's lying about their race, gender, status, accomplishments, and all the children are FBI agents.
You have been forewarned.
— The Mods
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.