Excuse Tags

As hard as it is, here I am. I'm currently a medical student in Philadelphia, and have been able to support myself ever since graduating high school until now.

My family has never had much money, but I have never been the type to accept that as an excuse to not excel in the areas I could. I'm thankful for the perspective that it has given me while watching my peers live stress free without them realizing how lucky they are. They're all great people, but they just live their lives on financial peaks, whereas I've always lived mine in the valleys.

The costs and time commitments that are required or pursuing my dream are astronomical. I have borrowed what I can in student loans, but unfortunately they don't cover all of the necessary fees. For instance, we are required to buy car in order to be able to get to all of my clinical rotations, not to mention pay for board exam fees and prep courses.

I'm here looking for what little help might be available, and I desperately look forward to the time when I am able to come back here and help as many people in unfortunate circumstances as I can. Thanks for your time and consideration.

My name is Gary Griffin , im a 32
year old man that used to be a very hard worker in the job force, in
2010 I became very ill and had to stop working , i tried to get social
security dissability and have been denied 2 times and now am having to
wait for a hearing infront of a judge, they keep giving me some excuse
that my age and ability to get retrained for other work is the reason
for denile. I have congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, and an
irregular heartbeat requiring a defibulator implant in my chest , and
now have type 2 diabeties on top of that, with my medical problems I
can no longer work, just living around my house seems like a full time
job now. I have exausted all available unemployment insurance. and now
have no way to pay my bills and support my family, bills are piling up
and ill be lucky to pay rent, ( having to borrow from my brother) . I
am lost and dont know what to do , i cant get a job but need money to
live on untill i go to court for ssd. do you have any suggestions I could really use some donations right now! sorry for the sob
story but I am going mental trying to figure this out ! I already get
food asistance but food stamps dont pay the bills lol. I really need
help , thanks for listening needed to get this off my chest . Just been put on medicine for diabeties supposed to take 2 pills a day checked price of meds cheapest for 60 is $470 thats rediculous! My health is getting worse and the stress of my financal situation is killing me I despratly need donations any thing will help! We have no one to go to for help as both my wife and I our parents have all past away no family to turn to ,my brother has over run his finances to help me and now he is having problems too! please help me with any donations any thing will help

Hello, the fact that I am writing this is making me realise that this has been the worst day of my life.

For the past two years I have been in love. A whirlwind romance which gave me a release from my miserable abusive upbringing. I moved in with this beautiful, kind, intelligent girl who I had fallen for. My parents did not approve and they saw her loosen their iron grip on me, she gave me the confidence that I never had to stand up to them.

I had to decide between my parents who had habitually beaten me, put me down, turned me into a shell of a person. or the only person that ever has and probably ever will love me. I chose her, and I haven't seen or heard from my parents since, part of my believes it was a perfect excuse for them to rid me of the son who had only ever disappointed them.

I was in dreamland, I was invited into her home and from day one it felt more like home than the cold loveless one I was brought up in. Everything was great for a few months and then she left a highly flirtatious conversation up on facebook with a man in which she was bragging at how many other men she had slept with in the past year. My life turned on its head. I gave her another chance after weeks of pain, tears and excuses. She convinced me everything was going to change. Three months on to that day I hear through a friend that she with another man in a nightclub the other day.

I am lost, I am trapped. I have no money. My parents do not care about me and the one person that I have ever loved has betrayed me multiple times.

I feel humiliated, i feel physically sick, I am mentally and physically exhausted. I have nowhere to go, i need to escape. If I leave her then I am homeless if I stay with her then I am bound to being abused again, this time not physically as with my parents but mentally. My heart cannot take this torment anymore.

My mouse is hovering above booking a flight to Amsterdam tomorrow. I have chosen there because of the large UK community. I want a new environemnt, i need to meet people for the first time in my life. I want to live and work somewhere else but I just do not have the funds to do it. I have been reliant on people all my life and I just need a chance to completely start fresh and I cannot do this round here or in this country. I need to travel, i need to experience things which I have never experienced. I do not deserve any charity but I am desperate, so very desperate. I am literally begging for any help.

Thank you so much for reading

I've always been too proud and independent to ask for help... now I feel like im drowning. This is my last resort, I can't face the world with my poor excuse of a life!
The love of my life left me, left me with a note that said 'stay cool'. He had surrounded me with fake love and security. Convincing me that my best choice in life was to discharge from the military (after eight years of service) and be a stay at home mum to our children. I obliged. I loved him and I believed he loved me. I ask you, what would you have done??
So it turns out he never loved our children or myself. He left, never to be heard from since (eight months ago). I was left with combined debts totalling $180k. His not an Australian citizen meaning I am responsible for this debt. I have no income and two children. Is bankruptcy my only option?
Please help me, I have tried to stay composed and in control, I have tried to reinlist (not targets for fy 12/13), i have tried to find employment. I have a casual job, however I am not covering the loan repayments! I am begging for your help, please help me. I constantly ask myself 'how could i not have seen this coming??' but i loved him, i loved him so much. He was a professional on a good income and we had a family together. Was it wrong of me to feel secure. Was my choices considered normal, would you have done things differently?

I’ve never asked for any kind of help before, and certainly not from people that I have never met! But my situation has become so desperate that I really do need help.
I have, for the last 15 years, struggled to make ends meet, following periods of ill-health, bad luck and catastrophic decision making. My circumstances are now very desperate indeed, and have even considered suicide.
In 1997 I suffered from a period of depression, that became so severe that I was forced to give up my job, and borrowed money to cover my mortgage and keep my house. Unfortunately the repayments on this ever increasing debt snowballed, and I found myself unable to meet my mortgage and household bills. I had ploughed my life savings into the home, and lost it all.
In 2006 I was approached by a friend, who was concerned for my financial circumstances, and suggested that we buy an old property, renovate it and sell it for a profit. I was desperate to make some money, and trusted my friend. I would refer you to full details of this in my Beg, as the project ended in complete failure having been ripped off by an unscrupulous builder. Work that should have taken 3 months took in excess of 9, and I ended up carrying out all the work myself. I regularly worked at the house from the early hours until well past midnight. The long hours left me exhausted, and in October 2008 I had a breakdown. I simply couldn’t carry on, and collapsed at work. My employer at the time was an unforgiving and vindictive man, and he said that I would be suspended if my work didn’t improve. I was afraid that I would lose my job, and under considerable psychological pressure from my employer I was forced to resign.
Following the failed business venture, which had plunged me into further debt, my breakdown and subsequent loss of my job, I simply couldn’t cope and pushed me into a long period of depression that became so severe that I planned to take my life. At the time I was so ill that I was unable to hold down a job, and this simply added to my woes - whilst out of work and undergoing intensive counselling I borrowed further. By the end of 2009 I was £15,000 ($23,250) in debt. I desperately want to rebuild my life now, but it is difficult to do so when I am saddled with a debt that is crippling me. Between 2009 and December 2010 my debt increased - there is no answer to it, and I will never ever me able to clear the £18,000 ($27,900) that I now owe. It is a debt that cripples me and prevents me from having a normal, happy life. I am 50 in February 2012, but have no future. I am tired of being worried, stressed, unable to sleep, and being depressed. Please, please help me start my life all over again. Please read my full story, and contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

I am 20 years old and have three children. My oldest is for my middle age child just turned three,and then my youngest is 9months old. Due to my childhood growing up wasn't so easy. I was 15 when i had to help my mom get money together for food,electricity,and rent. When it was time to be on my own i wasn't prepared,i had no money no stability just faith. I am having a hard time with work,custody,and the required stuff to get done so i can have my children all bump heads worse than two sisters in the same room. Im not very good on this whole writing thing so please excuse me. I am asking for money to help get an apartment, car,and furniture for me kids rooms clothes ect.
It would be greatly appreciated...even if you just pray for my family and keep us in your thoughts! Thanks and have a great day...

Please help me by donating as much possible to me. I have stupidly got myself into stupid amounts of debt. I am due to give birth on 16th January 2012 and because of my debts the council are not able to help me find a council property. I am so desperate tat i dont know what to do anymore... many thanks for your time... (excuse my paypal email - was set up along time ago)

Middle aged family of four was transferred from Corpus Christi, Texas to Seattle for an aviation job.My husband has been an A&P for the last 23 years. After 4 days on the road with ALL our things, checking in everyday, we were told by my husbands agent that the company we were sentto work for had cancelled the job.
Sorry.
We Lost everything.We didnt even have enough gas to get home, were snowed in in a by the week motel in northern oregon 2 weeks then finally the agent found us a very poor excuse for an aviation job in oregon w/no benefits which of course my husband gladly took.( I was disabled in a car accident years ago ) They only work there now 4 days so they dont lay anyone off.Wehad two cars but sold one for the cash to get an apartment snce we lost the one in Seattle. We would like to get OUT of here to a better aviation job but our other car that made the entire trip has had it. We need 1200 -1800 to either repair it get one in better shape. I cant even get this thing inspected but drive it anyway.. anything , anything at all will go directly to this .. this is a big mess.
Thank you

PLEASE EXCUSE MY INTERUPTION!!

My name is Ronald Alano. My wife Kathi and I are in A very bad way.

Please let me explain. My wife's unemployment ran out just as she needed a dead kidney removed. I was terminated from my 10 year professional job due to down sizing at the same time. I was her nurse up the time of her operation. She had to have her bag cleaned and changed daily. Her operation was put on hold till we could scrape up enough money to pay a month of Cobra to cover her surgery. This took 2 months. She has recovered wonderfully.

We have both been unable to obtain employment. We were evicted from our rental because we were unable to make rent for 8 months. We owe taxes, hospital bills, vehicle payments, utility payments. We have one vehicle that is on a title loan without even minimum insurance coverage. We are receiving food stamps. We have spent many hours in the pantry lines. We are currently staying with Kathi's son till we can get employment.

My wages are being garnished due to unpaid medical bills. I cannot even work a McDonald's because I would only make enough to cover gas. I am a hard working and dedicated person. I have spent many days and hours applying and sending resumes to a multitude of job prospects. I have only had 2 interviews that have not panned out. We are trying to get Kathi's drivers license, but can't even afford the 20.00 to pay for that.

It really hurts to have to tell our life's story to try and get any help. We have gone through all the channels for help. We have given to United Way all the time we were employed. They would only help with 250.00 towards rent, but we owe over 7,000.00 in rent. They only offered 150.00 towards utilities and we owe a couple of thousand on them. To chapter 8 housing is a waiting period of over a year and a half. We have no relatives who can help.

We just can't find a way to start digging out. We have recently found salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. We attend a small Christian church where we attend Sunday services, Wednesday night services, and Tuesday night Bible study. We are just asking someone who is more fortunate than us for any help.

If you read this, God Bless You in His Son's Name Jesus Christ!

Ron and Kathi Alano
816-808-7832
ronalano@yahoo.com

PLEASE EXCUSE MY INTERUPTION!!

My name is Ronald Alano. My wife Kathi and I are in A very bad way.

Please let me explain. My wife's unemployment ran out just as she needed a dead kidney removed. I was terminated from my 10 year professional job due to down sizing at the same time. I was her nurse up the time of her operation. She had to have her bag cleaned and changed daily. Her operation was put on hold till we could scrape up enough money to pay a month of Cobra to cover her surgery. This took 2 months. She has recovered wonderfully.

We have both been unable to obtain employment. We were evicted from our rental because we were unable to make rent for 8 months. We owe taxes, hospital bills, vehicle payments, utility payments. We have one vehicle that is on a title loan without even minimum insurance coverage. We are receiving food stamps. We have spent many hours in the pantry lines. We are currently staying with Kathi's son till we can get employment.

My wages are being garnished due to unpaid medical bills. I cannot even work a McDonald's because I would only make enough to cover gas. I am a hard working and dedicated person. I have spent many days and hours applying and sending resumes to a multitude of job prospects. I have only had 2 interviews that have not panned out. We are trying to get Kathi's drivers license, but can't even afford the 20.00 to pay for that.

It really hurts to have to tell our life's story to try and get any help. We have gone through all the channels for help. We have given to United Way all the time we were employed. They would only help with 250.00 towards rent, but we owe over 7,000.00 in rent. They only offered 150.00 towards utilities and we owe a couple of thousand on them. To chapter 8 housing is a waiting period of over a year and a half. We have no relatives who can help.

We just can't find a way to start digging out. We have recently found salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. We attend a small Christian church where we attend Sunday services, Wednesday night services, and Tuesday night Bible study. We are just asking someone who is more fortunate than us for any help.

If you read this, God Bless You in His Son's Name Jesus Christ!

Ron and Kathi Alano
816-808-7832
ronalano@yahoo.com

Hi, I desperatly need help moving my cats 2000 miles. Long story short, I was forced to leave my home abruptly, and am now disabled due to domestic violence. It is with much, much remorse that I had to leave my six cats behind. Most are old (one is 19) or have chronic illnesses that make them un-adoptable. I am in stable enviroment now, and can care for them. I need financial help to go get them and bring them here. I am unable to ship them because they would not pass a health examination, and it is very expensive.The cats are in Southern California and I am in Missouri. If you know of anyone who would be willing to "tag team" transport, or a long haul Trucker that would be willing to let them hitch a ride, please let me know. Short of that I am looking at renting a car and going to get them myself. My life was out of control in sooo many ways. I lost so much, my heart is broken. I need to make this right. None of this was the Cats fault. There was NO excuse for being violently attacked, however I am at fault for not getting out sooner. The Cats are not in danger but I fear they are not being cared for. I did call the authorities and relinquished my pets that are adoptable. Thank You for your consideration.

I need to change my life. It's just not a good thing, living with your parents in your 30s, but its hard for me to even apply for a job because I've always had anxiety issues. One of the reasons for the anxiety is that I have a droopy eyelid and to correct it, the surgery costs anywhere from $2500 to $5000.

I also probably need a lot of psychotherapy because the same negativity that held me back didn't keep Thom Yorke or Forest Whitaker from persuing things. Granted, in my mind, their eyelids aren't nearly as droopy as mine but I can still see out of the eye with the droopy eyelid, so its pretty much all in my head. Knowing that doesn't really help though.

This horrible self-image issue that I have has very much been a damaging thing in my life, as it may have been part of the reason I dropped out of high school. I say may have because there were so many reasons, most of which could probably be traced back to decisions I made that were influenced by my own perceptions about myself.

What I'm making reference to is, when I was about 11, a girl around the same age as me was sexually aggressive and being a male, you're supposed to see this as a gift but I was terrified the first time it happened but it continued to happen because I thought this was the only person that would ever be interested in me, so I just went along with what she wanted. What she wanted was foreplay and sex and no kissing. It wasn't stated, we never talked about anything, but whenever I tried to kiss her on the lips, she wouldn't kiss me back, which is as creepy as it sounds and would just remind me that this wasn't a loving, caring relationship although I could've gathered that from the way she treated me when we weren't involved in sexual activities, it was just so depressing and it lasted for 4 years.

I had absolutely no control over my emotions and I was just constantly looking for outlets for my confusion, fear and anger which manifested itself in various personalities. I'm not talking actual multiple personality disorder, just that I'd pretend to be these things that weren't me like a gangsta rapper or satanic metalhead, whatever would help me release what I needed to release at the time, in the narrow little box that was that cliche and none of it helped because none of it was truely me. The problem was that different people knew me as different things and I was stuck in those boxes as that person to those people and being in the persona of, say, a gangsta rapper can get you in trouble and I ended up in some scary situations. Playing pretend isn't advisable when no one else is playing.

Anyway, as I've gotten older, I've found better, more appropriate creative outlets and the occasional bit of meditation has balanced me out more, so I'm a little less all over the place but some of the negative self-image is still there and it would be nice to have one less excuse for my anxiety to act up over.

Please, anyone who will listen I am forced onto the streets in danger of rape and murder, because I am not safe in my 20 foot 1977 broken down Dodge motor home. I can't go to WEAVE, because they won't allow all my pets, my family will not take me in with them either, and any friends I had are too scared of the guy I'm running from to help me, or they have left me, because they could no longer watch me being destroyed by this person. I love my animal friends and am willing to crawl through the mud with them because they are all I have left in the world and the only ones who always love me, although I can see their sadness and disappointment every day. Please before it is too late for us all. I am Misty, they are Angel, Kona, Rover, Chunky, Mama, Buckwheat, and Baby the newest stray I could not find a home for and could not stand to let them be put down. I have even been willing to be admitted to a mental facility or thought about getting myself arrested by the police just to have a moments peace. I am going through physical, psychological, emotional,financial,abuse and sensory deprivation. I eat 15 days out of the month at the most every month, for 12 years now, to make sure my critters always have what they need first. I am in a dangerous neighborhood with no transportation, and my health has deteriorated to the point where constant pain is here, and death feels around the corner for me. I had a collapsed lung,from pollups,during my last job while simply walking to the restroom on my break, chest pains, constant head aches, asthma, allergies, panic attacks and clinical depression, I have applied for SSI, and SSA to get benefits but it is a slow, repeated process that is very difficult to get if you are 37 years old and appear okay to someone who isn't really looking or looking deep enough. I have no medical, or dental, and need both critically. I also need flea, ear mite, and tapeworm medication for my pets. I just need a boost to get away, and start the healing process for us all. I'm not looking to be rich, or greedy just out of this very toxic, and destructive environment, and want very much to build a life for us all by getting healthy, possibly going back to school and definitely, work. I do have dreams, goals , and invention ideas, but no opportunity in this captive, unhealthy, oppressive situation. I wish to be a mom (to humans)if still possible, and truly in love someday, and desire mostly to be a good, kind person to others. I am willing to show our (critters and my) progress to whoever willing to help so you know helping me is not in vain or a waste, to your mental and emotional satisfaction. And will hopefully be able to eventually give back in return someday, the sooner the better. This help would save our lives, salvage our love and health , future and happiness, and the love and appreciation, I can already pay you back for right now. Honorably and respectively, and non-shamefully that is, or I would have tried less dignified things by now. I grew up with an alcoholic step dad, which, possibly, set me up, unknowingly, for the situation I am in now. This is not an excuse, but it is the truth, that I, apparently, was not strong or smart enough, or had opportunity, to overcome the result of that. Regardless, of fault, I feel guilty and regretful, and so so sorry for not. Please give me a chance, and WHEN successful, very hopefully, I will spend my whole life giving others a chance at a good life, as well. Thank You, so much for taking the time even to just care enough to read this. Please, please, PLEASE? And, HOPEFULLY, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Love always, Misty and furry family. (They're not human, but they are important. You never know they could save the planet somehow, someway, someday. Or maybe just you, same difference, all ='s 1 and 1 ='s all)WE LOVE YOU, WE LOVE YOU, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I SAVE AND SPEND EVERY PENNY, SO ANY PENNY WOULD HELP. I'M TRYING TO STAY HOPEFUL, WHEN ALL SEEMS OR MAY BE HOPELESS. a KIND WORD MAY EVEN MAKE OUR WORLD GO ROUND. I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. IT MAY BE ALL I EVER NEEDED. I have no bank account so please email me at mrainbowfright@gmail.com for forwarding info. Sorry for the inconvenience, but if I have nothing to put in it, then whats the point?

Please, anyone who will listen I am forced onto the streets in danger of rape and murder, because I am not safe in my 20 foot 1977 broken down Dodge motor home. I can't go to WEAVE, because they won't allow all my pets, my family will not take me in with them either, and any friends I had are too scared of the guy I'm running from to help me, or they have left me, because they could no longer watch me being destroyed by this person. I love my animal friends and am willing to crawl through the mud with them because they are all I have left in the world and the only ones who always love me, although I can see their sadness and disappointment every day. Please before it is too late for us all. I am Misty, they are Angel, Kona, Rover, Chunky, Mama, Buckwheat, and Baby the newest stray I could not find a home for and could not stand to let them be put down. I have even been willing to be admitted to a mental facility or thought about getting myself arrested by the police just to have a moments peace. I am going through physical, psychological, emotional,financial,abuse and sensory deprivation. I eat 15 days out of the month at the most every month, for 12 years now, to make sure my critters always have what they need first. I am in a dangerous neighborhood with no transportation, and my health has deteriorated to the point where constant pain is here, and death feels around the corner for me. I had a collapsed lung,from pollups,during my last job while simply walking to the restroom on my break, chest pains, constant head aches, asthma, allergies, panic attacks and clinical depression, I have applied for SSI, and SSA to get benefits but it is a slow, repeated process that is very difficult to get if you are 37 years old and appear okay to someone who isn't really looking or looking deep enough. I have no medical, or dental, and need both critically. I also need flea, ear mite, and tapeworm medication for my pets. I just need a boost to get away, and start the healing process for us all. I'm not looking to be rich, or greedy just out of this very toxic, and destructive environment, and want very much to build a life for us all by getting healthy, possibly going back to school and definitely, work. I do have dreams, goals , and invention ideas, but no opportunity in this captive, unhealthy, oppressive situation. I wish to be a mom (to humans)if still possible, and truly in love someday, and desire mostly to be a good, kind person to others. I am willing to show our (critters and my) progress to whoever willing to help so you know helping me is not in vain or a waste, to your mental and emotional satisfaction. And will hopefully be able to eventually give back in return someday, the sooner the better. This help would save our lives, salvage our love and health , future and happiness, and the love and appreciation, I can already pay you back for right now. Honorably and respectively, and non-shamefully that is, or I would have tried less dignified things by now. I grew up with an alcoholic step dad, which, possibly, set me up, unknowingly, for the situation I am in now. This is not an excuse, but it is the truth, that I, apparently, was not strong or smart enough, or had opportunity, to overcome the result of that. Regardless, of fault, I feel guilty and regretful, and so so sorry for not. Please give me a chance, and WHEN successful, very hopefully, I will spend my whole life giving others a chance at a good life, as well. Thank You, so much for taking the time even to just care enough to read this. Please, please, PLEASE? And, HOPEFULLY, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Love always, Misty and furry family. (They're not human, but they are important. You never know they could save the planet somehow, someway, someday. Or maybe just you, same difference, all ='s 1 and 1 ='s all)WE LOVE YOU, WE LOVE YOU, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I SAVE AND SPEND EVERY PENNY, SO ANY PENNY WOULD HELP. I'M TRYING TO STAY HOPEFUL, WHEN ALL SEEMS OR MAY BE HOPELESS. a KIND WORD MAY EVEN MAKE OUR WORLD GO ROUND. I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. IT MAY BE ALL I EVER NEEDED.

This is a last resort. Is there anyone out there who can help me? I am in severe financial distress and may lose my home. I have no excuse, poor management on my part mostly. There is nothing left to complain about and nobody left to turn to. I am working all the hours I can but it's not enough. I've put my family in danger, I'm trying my best but it's not good enough. I'm too ashamed to say how much I need but it is a lot.
Thank you.

My parents are both deaf,do not read lips,nothing can be heard or spoken.Both have retired from many years of work & side jobs to make ends meet.They both worked hard to provide for themselves & children,through the years always were happy to help my brother and i when we needed.having retired they struggle to pay their bills each month.With so many hardships being deaf in a world of hearing my parents never used that as an excuse they made their own way.they are 70 now and have spent these golden years sitting at home every day only dreaming of taking a cruse or seeing another part of this world as their time is running short.
Please help me to give them just one dream -to travel somewhere to see what a beautiful world we all live in before they have to leave me,please
send to 3501 wentworth dr. arlington,tx.76001 charissa sanders

Corey was born with a degenerative eye disorder known commonly as Leiber's Congenital Amorosis (LCA). When Corey was younger, he could see things much better. Like most children, he rode a bike, played video games, and could even read small print. Today, many years later, Corey no longer has the ability to even read large print books. He is only able to read with the aid of a CC-TV or possibly with the use of software such as Zoom Text or other screen enlargement programs when his limited vision permits. Since reading this way is so incredibly slow, Corey has switched over to using screen reading software instead. The program he uses is called Jaws For Windows: a software package put out by Freedom Scientific. Recent advancements in research on LCA has shown promise of a cure for some who suffer with this visual disorder. Unfortunately, Corey does not have the specific type of LCA that researchers have been making headway with.

On November 7th, 2009, Corey was married to his beautiful wife. And it was shortly after this time that the Social Security Administration (SSA) set events into motion that would later lead to Corey's SSI benefits being revoked in February of 2010. Their claim was that Corey’s wife earned too much under the law for Corey to continue receiving his disability benefits. To make matters worse, the SSA charged Corey with $2696 in overpayment charges, which had accrued during the four months that Corey awaited the SSA to make a decision in his case. During that time, Corey was using his monthly benefit check to pay for his general living expenses and had no way of knowing ahead of time how the SSA would rule in his case. The hit was devastating to the newly wed's financial situation. Since Corey had no income, being disabled, and little to no savings, the burden of paying back his SSI overpayment fell on the shoulders of his wife.

This situation has caused many to question the way the SSA handles disabled clients. One reason is because the SSA did not stop payments to Corey during the months in which his case was being decided. Since the SSA had not at that time positively ruled against Corey and also did not stop payment on his monthly checks, it raises the question of how valid the claim of the SSA was that Corey owed an overpayment. What was Corey supposed to do while he was awaiting the decision of the SSA during those months, not pay his bills, which is what benefit checks from the SSA are designated for in the first place? What if Corey’s wife had not been able to repay the overpayment? How many disabled people have been put through this ringer and their financial situations completely wrecked by the SSA and its negligent policies in the process?

Another important question that needs to be investigated is how the SSA can charge an overpayment that is larger in amount than the amount the law allows an SSA recipient to save while receiving SSI or SSDI benefits. If the SSA knows that it has charged the benefit recipient more than the recipient is allowed to save under the laws governing the benefits program, then the recipient being charged the overpayment is being put in financial danger by the SSA either intentionally or through the SSA's negligence. If the recipient is able to save enough money to pay the full amount, doing so would violate the law. So, either the recipient violates the law and saves more than their benefit program allows, or they run the risk of being destroyed financially. Should struggling disabled people really be put in that situation by the SSA?

A far better policy for the SSA to employ is to recognize that a person being newly married is likely going to have a lot of costs associated with the marriage process and that maybe this is not the best time to cut their benefits off. Also, if a couple like Corey and his wife had simply cohabitated, rather than got married, the SSA would not have been able to take Corey's benefits away. Getting married really didn't change anything about Corey's need for SSI benefit money. It only changed his status on paper in the eyes of the state, and that, not a change in his disability, triggered the SSA to go after his benefits. Before Corey got married, the combined amount of Corey's SSI benefits and his wife's income made it possible for the couple to function relatively well financially. Today, Corey and his wife scrape by on her income and on whatever money they can get from selling their possessions to make ends meet.

People involved in disability law need to go after the SSA over the issue of using marriage as an excuse to rape disabled people of their much needed monthly benefits. The SSA knows fully well that it is unlikely that a person who is permanently disabled will be able to get a job that accommodates their disability--especially in a bad economy. Using marriage as an excuse to take away a disabled person's benefits only serves to put an unnecessary strain on the financial well being of a newly married couple. Why would the SSA and the federal government be a party to that?

If you would like to help, please send $1.00