Moving from the MidWest, where the cost of living is less, to Virginia, where the cost of living is higher, some financial assistance was absolutely necessary.
Already friends with Google, I become even more intimate with it so that I could find the best resources to ensure that Mom had enough to eat, could pay her electric, and afford her rent (rent will be a whole other blog post), and so many other things (look for upcoming blogs posts). I assure you I am still learning as I go but I have run into many wonderful people along the way, that once they understand I am on a learning curve they have no issue helping explain their respective area of expertise, as they understand it.
It was necessary to use as many local, state and government resources as possible, so the process was started. It has been a process, with many denials along the way from SNAP, and other resources. They kept stating that Mom made too much money but when she was barely making ends meet – how could that be? It seems that there is a cap on not only what she has in ownership but also liquid cash and the spousal portion of Social Security can be a culprit in there as well. In her specific case, it was simply needing Social Security to clarify some things for us and for those that we submitted paperwork to.
Filling Out the Application
For your initial filing of Food stamps (SNAP or EBT), Medicaid and heating/cooling assistance (or any combination thereof), be sure to have copies of the major bills (how much is rent, utilities, medical). You will need to know the address, birthday, social security, so somewhat an invasion of privacy, get used to it as it will become commonplace. And plan on it taking at least a couple of hours until you get the hang of filling out these forms. I recommend you print or save off the completed form, it will note at the end of the application that you may want to do so.
Once you fill everything out it is sent to Social Services where you will receive a letter to let you know it was received as well as a date and time of a Case Manager meeting, so with whom, whether you should show up in the office or will be receiving a phone call. Be sure you have all the same documentation available as it will be referred back to as they will go over answers with you to ensure there are not typos or any misunderstandings.
Senior Permission
Be sure you have talked with your parent or senior to ensure they are ok with you taking an active role in talking with the Social Services personnel, or anyone else for that matter.
Also understand you are on the hook if something is incorrect and you are listed as their representative. (A Power of Attorney is helpful as well, because some will only talk with you if that is on file). For our personal situation, it was helpful that I was able to listen in on the meetings and when Mom was uncertain of a response I was able to step in to help.
It has been a process of learning how to’s, ensuring that all of the needed information is on hand, how much can be in the bank/on hand, life insurance letters, pension confirmations and so on…. In no way were we trying to cheat anything, we were simply attempting to provide a means for mom to live without consistent struggle.
After repeated attempts, we had some success with making life a little bit less of a struggle, and we personally still supplement financially as needed.
UPDATE: With COVID and post COVID, many offices were closed and were handling things via phone and ZOOM appointments. Be ready to handle that as well, look for another post about that in the future.
Additional Resources, Virginia Only:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1593
http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi
http://virginiaservice.virginia.gov/2019/01/snap-update/
Federal Resources:
