I don't know if this can stay here as it's not only about Maine.
But this is something that will affect thousands of Mainers. Many are on SSI. And as most of you know, SSI is only about $1K a month.
It is not possible to rent a place of your own and live on $1K a month. But the administration is looking to cut SSI benefits by 1/3 if the SSI recipient lives with anyone else. Disabled adult living with parents? Cut benefits. Elderly parent with no retirement living with children? Cut benefits.
And they are not means testing it. It doesn't matter if the disabled person's caretaker is on SNAP or is a millionaire. They are claiming that the benefits need to be cut because they get a 'free' or 'discounted' room. Which.. obviously they do since you can't rent a place for less than a grand even if the disabled person was able to care for themselves. (Which many are not)
For those of you pumping your fists and exclaiming that this is a great thing... if that disabled person is unable to live at home.. then the next option is a group home. Which will cost you WAY WAY more than that person's SSI. And are very hard to find open beds for already. Or the whole family could end up on the street.
According to ProPublica this rule is being kept on the downlow so we need to be watching for chances to fight it. I'd say contact your representatives but we all know that King, Collins and Golden don't give a rats arse. But be on the lookout for ways to shine a light on this rule. It can't be allowed to happen. There are at least two families with down's syndrome in just my neighborhood that this would affect. As well as my nephew who suffers from severe schizophrenia.
There are nearly 33K people in Maine on SSI. And almost all of them would have their benefits cut with this rule.