Cast members and disability payments

[KarmaG]

It was suggested we start a new topic on the matter so here it is.

@Tielsmomma I don't think anyone here has a problem with people who legitimately receive disability. My mom does and the limited income is her only income due to her disabilities. It's hard. I think, at least for me, the problem is watching someone who ate themselves into this situation receiving the money and continuing to eat themselves this way. All the fast food etc. All the manipulation as well. As we've learned with Pauline recently, she's a grifter and many on the show I believe are.

[stephinmn]

My BIL is on social security disability and he gets around $1000 a month. We cover his rent, but he pays utilities and cable/internet, which runs a few hundred a month. He also has to pay a medicare premium and another premium for state insurance. He has an old flip phone that I think he has limited minutes on. He could not begin to afford to support another person on his income, and there is no way he could afford to eat that much.  I get that the folks on this show eat a lot of cheap, processed food, but even that gets expensive when one person eats 6000-8000 calories per day.

 

Whenever I get judgy about someone being on disability, I just think, "Well, would I want to work with them?" Can anyone imagine working with Penny?

[Micks Picks]

There are indeed people who have no choice but disability, which in itself is not enough money by a long shot.  But many people know how to game the system.  You may get $800 DI but your caretaker gets $1500-2000 dependending on the state you are in.  So You have to add that toward money available.  Then there are food stamps, food closets and church outlets where food is free.  They have all sorts of schemes in the works.  A child is bonus money, and even more if you can declare them disabled as well.  Thus all the autistic kids are those with adhd, etc.  Additional assistance doesn't usually come from family members who are all on the system also.  Bless the poster her provides rent for her BIL.  Those who work the system take and provide points to their relatives about how to get free money, or housing subsidies.  That's a huge benefit.  This is the ultimate in hand out, not hand up, in government assistance.  Many churches are getting wise, at last, but the food closets, organized by zip code in our state and paid by the government are up and running.

[wrestlesflamingos]

Some ground rules for this thread: any post that leans towards mocking the poor or disabled will be removed. Any post that makes sweeping generalizations about groups of people will be removed. Otherwise, enjoy yourselves!

Edited March 24, 2015 by wrestlesflamingos
englishing

[Tielsmomma]

dailydot.com/politics/7-disability-issues/

A good read.

[notyrmomma]

dailydot.com/politics/7-disability-issues/

A good read.

This was really interesting since I try to keep an open mind about everything.  I am also interested in the topic of disability because I have multiple sclerosis (the main reason I got WLS) and this could be me someday.  With that being said, disability issues are definitely a social issue that needs more discussion, but I felt that parts of that article were implying that it's so unfair that disabled people are, well, disabled.  

 

I am specifically referring to #3 Police Tragedies, #6 The Employment Gap, and #7 Special Education.  In the case of the police killing disabled people, mostly inadvertently, because the person doesn't understand the officer's commands, well how are we supposed to fix that?  Not every disabled person looks disabled and they certainly don't wear signs.  What's the cop to do, ask a person if he or she is disabled before trying to subdue them in a situation?  The cop usually just wants to keep people safe, then go home to his or her family.  To start off the paragraph discussing a parallel to the police targeting blacks is unfair because police treatment of the disabled are a completely separate issue - unless I missed the story where police are targeting the disabled just because they don't like them--this is a real crappy problem with no apparent solutions, other than officers putting their life more at risk.  As for the employment gap and special education, once again, if someone doesn't have the capability  to do a job or pass classes required to earn a diploma, then they shouldn't have that particular job or get the same diploma that everyone else earned by passing the classes.  You can only help someone so much, if they can't do the work, they can't do it.

 

Now for the author's take on the murdering of the disabled and assisted suicide, I completely agree.  I certainly wouldn't feel any sympathy for a mother who kills her autistic child.  I'm a spiritual person and I feel we were all put on this earth with certain issues that we have to deal with, personally dealing with or caring for someone with a disability are included in that.  

 

I see that some have expressed their anger at obese who collect disability (or others that have to claim disability due to some other self inflicted condition) - and I do agree somewhat. But they physically can't work...you want them to die?  We can't do that as a society, we have to take care of everyone who needs it and try teach them to care for themselves.  

[stephinmn]

Technically, my BIL "brought on" his own disabiity by being a lifelong smoker. He quit now, but his smoking did lead to the disease that has disabled him. I am sure that if he had known he would end up in chronic pain and relying on taxpayers and his family to survive, he may not have started smoking. But you can't go backwards and he now does need disability. I guess I view it the same way with obesity related disability.

[hovermo]

True story...go on Youtube and they have episodes of a British show called "Benefits:Too Fat to Work" .  They have a whole show dedicated to people who are too fat to work and what and how they get their money. At least its not just a problem here in the US.

[stephinmn]

They get a lot more money in the UK, but it would still be difficult to live on 2000 a month in England, even if the rent is paid.

[Tielsmomma]

Several of the points in that article applied to me.

[ooh.boo]

I think it really depends on the state as far as caregiver pay. I work in case management for Medicaid clients, and I set up and coordinate in-home services, which includes relative caregivers. Most of the relative caregivers for my clients get paid $300-$400/month. There are exceptions, but all of my clients who get more for relative caregivers have disabilities other than obesity (Quadriplegia, paraplegia, etc.). Obviously I'm just speaking for one state (not Texas) and certain Medicaid programs so it doesn't apply across the board, but just wanted to throw that out there. 

Edited March 26, 2015 by ooh.boo

[HandBasket]

Watching this is making me so mad. I'm sure that Charity is getting disability payments but what about the daughter and fiancé? No mention was made of either of them holding down a job. And who is paying for the numerous ambulance rides? I'm having a really hard time mustering up any sympathy for her.

I can't imagine that the food tasted good enough to endure the humiliation of her fiancé bringing in a portable commode and both he and her daughter cleaning her.

[CousinOliver]

I knew a friend who was disabled from polio; not fat, underweight, in fact, so I'm sure no one would begrudge her the measly disability she got.  Her first husband got a few hundred dollars being her full time care taker.  Together they eeked out a living (living in a single wide trailer, dealing with an old wheelchair lift van that was always breaking down, etc), but they certainly were not living well off the government.  I think the people on the show are more stuck in this life than looking for the easy way out (then deciding 600 lbs and a caretaker is THE way to passive income.) 

 

While he would take under the table jobs (worked in my friend's little grocery store for some food and $40/day if they were short staffed, got a cheap karaoke machine and had a little side business, etc.), he refused to work any non-cash jobs so that the would still get the free money.  This was the part that was odd to me.  He could have done so much better, financially, with a 40 hr/wk job and someone else coming in and taking care of the wife, but they were stuck in the mentality that the free money was more valuable than the work-for-it money.  I'm sure there were many other factors at hand; for instance, I didn't know his work history.  Maybe he had a habit of getting fired and the sure thing was worth more than the roller coaster of work?  Who knows.  It confused me, but I tried not to judge (she's deceased now.) 

Edited March 26, 2015 by CousinOliver

[Tenarife60]

I'm always curious how so many of them got approved at a relatively young age.  I've known people much older who have been trying for years.  For instance, a former employer was 42 and had cancer and he never did get approved for disability.  He eventually died.

[auntjess]

2 hours ago, KittyKat94 said:

I'm always curious how so many of them got approved at a relatively young age.  I've known people much older who have been trying for years. 

I think you have to have a lawyer who is versed in SS or disability payments, and not just apply yourself.

[fonfereksglen]

1 hour ago, auntjess said:

I think you have to have a lawyer who is versed in SS or disability payments, and not just apply yourself.

This topic has intrigued me for the last 25+ months because of issues within my immediate family.

My husband and I were extremely successful dealing with the SSD issues on behalf of our family member who lived with us for over 15 months because of initial help from his hospital/s where he spent over 10 weeks and then his rehab facility in giving us a broad brush education -  the financial security we were able to provide - our full time availability and intellect - and most importantly - the horrific permanent medical event he suffered which started our journey into the world of permanent benefits.   Even still, until this coming November,  he is only eligible for SSD and not Medicaid, food stamps or any other financial benefits including help in maintaining his house he owns outright,  because his SSD payment is $23 a month too high.  It's a horror show when you lose any ability to work or get work related medical benefits.  So he/we have been dealing with $6200+ a  year ACA medical insurance deductible while, for almost the entire first year of his issues, he had ZERO income yet still had to pay for his medical insurance, medical bills, property taxes, heat, electricity, other debts and so on.  There is so much more to all this, but I won't bore you.  

But with these morbidly obese individuals, how do they meet the requirements for financial help?  Especially if they have never worked - EVER?  There are multiple date issues and when EXACTLY  is the date of disability for a morbidly obese individual?  There are medical tests and physicals required, which seem impossible for the voluntarily bedridden individuals.  So many other questions I'd love to ask but feel a bit creepy thinking about.  

Anyway, and this may explain a few answers to my and others' questions,  once you are hospitalized in our state, a hospital social worker SHOULD be assigned and the social worker should have a one year out ability to file for any and all potential benefits on your behalf.  This was of no use to us because of timing and asset issues, but considering the low income level and the high obesity related disability level of the patients, this is probably the initial gateway for some type of help. And these social workers are great for arranging in home physical therapy which is probably a total waste on the 600+ folks.  

I don't know.  It does bother me that someone who works from the time he was 17 until he became disabled at 58 may not be taken care of as well of some of the sloths we've seen on this show.  

Edited February 7, 2017 by fonfereksglen
too many words starting with A

[Tenarife60]

fonfereksglen...  That's what I was thinking too.  Once they were hospitalized - probably as a teenager - a social worker started handling their case.  I knew someone like that.  She never had a lawyer, but did have a social worker that helped her with her disability claim and also helped her get into subsidized housing.  She wasn't obese, however, but had been in and out of psych wards for bipolar or borderline personality.

[AdorkableWitch]

I think one thing you are all missing is their disability classification  is likely not just obesity but a disease that has manifested as a result.   

[guilfoyleatpp]

To me it seems that this show in particular shows people in a "perfect storm" of sorts.  Not everyone will make it to 600 pounds.  Either our bodies are physically incapable of putting on that much weight, or they die of some related illness, or they have a profession that prevents them from the physical immobility one must practice to reach 600 pounds. If there weren't some biological component to people who reach this size I would be very surprised.

We have the biology, but there is also an emotional/mental aspect to it. Lots of people suffer from some form of mental disability or illness, but it doesn't debilitate everyone to the point where they can reach this weight.

If you look at it like a long term alcoholic - lots of people drink. A few drink too much. Still fewer drink so much that it ruins their lives and their health. Some people become disabled from liver disease or other illnesses. Some people drink so much and they die. Others see the consequences and are able to change their habits. But some have the trigger in their brain - or no off switch, rather. They are addicts.

There are always people around them who enable them.  

We don't really get all the underlying biological factors that make people reach 600 pounds. Or how some people can drink a six pack or more of beer every night. Or how someone can have a $500 a day heroin habit. Most people won't ever get there. It's a tiny percentage of people who have the perfect storm of shit hit them.

I don't think that disability is really a stretch. Obesity is a physiological and emotional disease. If conquering obesity were easy there wouldn't be billions of dollars spent on diet aids every year. 

There is definitely a moral judgement attached to addicts of all sorts. 

[Muffyn]

This show is a mixed bag when it comes to disability.  Unless the show specifically shows someone working, we tend to assume they are on disability.  In many cases their families are caring for them or they are married and living off the spouse's income.  Often we don't learn what the spouse does.  We also have people who do some type of work that they choose to not expose on camera.  For example, some of the women supplemented their income with soft core porn - photo shoots, chat rooms, etc.  They don't tend to bring this up.  For the horrific Penny, she did this work and her husband worked.  However, she implied that she did no work and he was her caretaker. 

Now, in Penny's case, I think she was also on disability but it wasn't based on size.  It had to do with her breathing issue.  Dr. Now basically called out that she no longer needed oxygen, so her qualifying illness was long gone.  Penny being the hideous hosebeast that she is wasn't going to give that up.   But she is the exception, not the norm. 

Obesity alone is not a qualifying condition.  There are some people with issues that may or may not have been brought on by their weight that, as a package, might qualify them for disability.  But it does take several things to qualify and either an attorney or social worker to really push for the patient.

So I guess my soapbox  moment is the majority of people on the show are not actually receiving disability payments.  Just because we're not specifically told how people earn a living doesn't mean they get disability.  Also, the folks typically have some or several types of mental illness and, if they receive disability payments, it would be for something more than being 600 lbs. 

[AdorkableWitch]

I think Penny also had diabetes. 

[Tenarife60]

I noticed with Christina, her and Zach got married at 18, moved into their own apartment and neither had a job but it was not said who was paying for all of it.  Zach did tell Dr. Now that his job was taking care of Christina.  Other than that he didn't have a job.

When Christina got to Houston, after her surgery, she was looking into going to nursing school, but I noticed on her update they never mentioned that again or what happened, only that now she was living in her own apartment with a new man.  I sort of feel like what happened is something that the poster said above about one of her friends who was working, but getting paid under the table, and wouldn't take a regular job and money that he'd have to report: "Maybe he had a habit of getting fired and the sure thing was worth more than the roller coaster of work?" 

I did wonder if Christina didn't try nursing school, but failed at it and realized the "sure thing" of getting a monthly government check made more sense to her than going to school and trying to hold down a job.  Something she had never done before. 

[MillieSparklepants]

Two years ago, I went through the process of applying for disability for my son. He's autistic along with a handful of other health problems that land him in the ER several times a year and sometimes the ICU for a week or so. The application process alone was exhausting and when he was finally approved, the case worker told me the wait would be anywhere from 10-15 years. So I guess it will be something to help him when he's an adult.

I'm so surprised that some of these people are so young and already seem to be on disability. I know it varies state to state, but is the process sped up for adults? Or maybe we're low on the list because my husband and I are both working. It's frustrating to watch whole families sit around eating themselves to death and having long hospital stays and surgeries they probably won't have to pay for when, even with us both working, my husband and I will be paying off my son's medical bills for decades.

[Tenarife60]

On ‎3‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 7:21 AM, MillieSparklepants said:

Two years ago, I went through the process of applying for disability for my son. He's autistic along with a handful of other health problems that land him in the ER several times a year and sometimes the ICU for a week or so. The application process alone was exhausting and when he was finally approved, the case worker told me the wait would be anywhere from 10-15 years. So I guess it will be something to help him when he's an adult.

I'm so surprised that some of these people are so young and already seem to be on disability. I know it varies state to state, but is the process sped up for adults? Or maybe we're low on the list because my husband and I are both working. It's frustrating to watch whole families sit around eating themselves to death and having long hospital stays and surgeries they probably won't have to pay for when, even with us both working, my husband and I will be paying off my son's medical bills for decades.

I don't understand it either.  I'm over 50 and I also applied two years ago and I'm still getting denied. 

Yes, agreed, it's frustrating to watch them eat themselves to death while getting paid by the government to do it.  James was doing exactly that on last night's episode.

Edited March 16, 2017 by KittyKat94
fewer wording

[ZombieLisa]

On 2/6/2017 at 7:33 PM, auntjess said:

I think you have to have a lawyer who is versed in SS or disability payments, and not just apply yourself.

Not so. I applied for and received benefits for my intellectually disabled son. For us, it wasn't difficult as intellectual disability has a clear "line in the sand". An IQ of less than 60 and you qualify. The highest my son ever tested was 56.

[auntjess]

30 minutes ago, ZombieLisa said:

Not so. I applied for and received benefits for my intellectually disabled son. For us, it wasn't difficult as intellectual disability has a clear "line in the sand". An IQ of less than 60 and you qualify. The highest my son ever tested was 56.

I guess it depends on what you're seeking it for.
Someone I know suffers from post-polio syndrome, and it was a hassle until a lawyer found a doctor who was an expert in the condition, and certfied that this was indeed what he had.

[ChristmasJones]

The folks on this show could be on SSDI if they worked when they were younger and paid enough into the system.  If they didn't ever work, or didn't work enough, or didn't apply for SSDI soon enough, then they would be on SSI, which I believe is somewhere around $700/mo (give/take).   

[ethalfrida]

There seem to be a lot lacking in this series as far as economics, real physical disabilities and mental health.

But even if they get government assistance there is only so much they can get. It doesn't not cover 10,000 calories per day amounts of anything be it vegs, fruits or burgers. Even if there are several members per household and they pooled all there grocery allotments it would not cover what these 600 pounders need.

There is something crazy going on with this.

[ChristmasJones]

I do agree about the costs of the food.  I look at some of the food orders these folks have delivered to their home and its easy to see that it could be $40-$50 or more (there was one where they got four or five Domino's pizzas, plus several sides of cheesy bread, etc).   And when they go through fast-food drive-throughs, those orders are at the barest minimum $10- usually more.

In case any producers are reading here, I would LOVE to see a tally of food costs. I think that would add a lot of impact- help viewers see that there are financial implications for such bad eating habits.

[Tenarife60]

Someone on another thread said it could be that their caregivers (sometimes they have more than one) are all getting paid by the state, and then each of them get an EBT card.  That could explain where all of their money is coming from to buy that much food. 

Someone suggested they intentionally pulled James' daughter, Bailey, out of school so they could get another check in the household.  That wouldn't surprise me at all.

[ZombieLisa]

My son gets $895/month (that's 735 from the feds and the rest is supplemented by the state of CA). Now admittedly, Orange County, California is WAAAAY more expensive to live in than Paducah, Kentucky. But I still don't get how you could pay rent, utilities and the shear amount of food consumed by these people on the little amount of money given by SSI (SSDI is different, depends on how much you paid into the system).

[Nevereclipsed]

I hate to sound crass, but sometimes it's downright frustrating when you see people spending money and living pretty decent lifestyles. Not everyone does, but some of them live way better than I do. I work a low wage but full time exhausting job, I suppose if I gained 400 lbs I could get disability, but still if it was based on my current income I wouldn't live like this. I get that disability should be based on whatever income the person made before they were disabled, but there's a line. If you've given up completely, you're not contributing. And the food they eat couldn't possibly be all food stamps, food stamps are designed to provide assistance for a basic diet. I suppose some of these people have money coming from various sources that aren't explained. But I work 45 hours a week and MY body is breaking down from pure exhaustion, and sometimes the irony of the cast members can be hard to swallow. It seems like they're not even trying sometimes. I dunno. Some have tried. 

[55Unicorns]

Well, my two cents.  I started working at 14, I'm now 58, and I've been on disability since 2011 due to lupus, seizures, RA, and a neck injury that is pressing on my spinal cord.  I get 1,046.00 a month and have to pay 200.00 of that for insurance.  I don't get food stamps, don't live in assisted living.  I have two wonderful kids that help me some, but they have their own lives.

I would LOVE to be working again and standing on my own two legs, but my doctor told me to apply 11 years ago, and I finally had to.  I DO NOT live a life of luxury, I'm okay.  It only takes a few bad apples to ruin the system for everyone, and that is what's sad.

[Awfarmington]

I'm sure it varies from state to state, but in general, do those on disability ever get food stamps? I can't get over the sheer cost of all the food they consume, with a lot of that being take out. Even with food stamps, and disability payments, how on earth do they pay for it? I very occasionally pick up dollar menu dinner for hubby and the kids (I'm on a perpetual diet) and it adds up quick! I can't imagine ever ordering on the 'full price' side of the menu everyday. As much as they eat per meal, it could easily be $10. Not to mention all the soda and snacking. 

[goldensglitter]

Husband applied for ssd benefits with the guidance of a wonderful and knowledgable social worker from a major teaching hospital where my husband is being treated.  He went to the local ss office, gave them all the paperwork from the hospital and info they needed from us.  Four weeks later he had his first check.  Two year wait on Medicare benefits.  He has a rare cancer, not horribly aggressive, so docs can stay ahead of it for the most part.  At least we pray.

I tried applying a couple of years ago because of my knee and foot issues.  I worked in corporate most of my working years but was self employed the last 10 years.  Bingo, I overstayed my self employment by 1 year.  No disability benefits for me.  

[SouthernCross]

I actually don't think they usually eat as much as we see on the show.  

Remember, they get a check for participating so they have a whole lot more money than they are used to having. What else are they going to spend it on?

Whatever cash they get appears to go towards food.  The majority have nothing.  They wear the same clothes repeatedly and their belongings look like they come from a dumpster.  They don't have bills in a traditional sense and whatever they do have to pay is likely defrayed by section 8...free phones...HEAP and whatever other programs are out there.   

Edited March 30, 2017 by SouthernCross

[fonfereksglen]

8 hours ago, Awfarmington said:

I'm sure it varies from state to state, but in general, do those on disability ever get food stamps? I can't get over the sheer cost of all the food they consume, with a lot of that being take out. Even with food stamps, and disability payments, how on earth do they pay for it? I very occasionally pick up dollar menu dinner for hubby and the kids (I'm on a perpetual diet) and it adds up quick! I can't imagine ever ordering on the 'full price' side of the menu everyday. As much as they eat per meal, it could easily be $10. Not to mention all the soda and snacking. 

Yes, depending on the level of benefit.  Food stamps are means tested so the low income disabled qualify for the same benefit as other low income people.   Additionally, if they put forth the effort to qualify, the low income individuals can also receive groceries and other staples from food banks/pantries and church based charities.  It is quite possible to receive quite a bit of real food for next to nothing.  

[Awfarmington]

10 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

Yes, depending on the level of benefit.  Food stamps are means tested so the low income disabled qualify for the same benefit as other low income people.   Additionally, if they put forth the effort to qualify, the low income individuals can also receive groceries and other staples from food banks/pantries and church based charities.  It is quite possible to receive quite a bit of real food for next to nothing.  

I forgot about food banks and churches. So that's a good point. But what about all the fast food? Is their check really large enough to pay their cell phone, cable, internet, gasoline, utilities, car insurance, car repairs, etc, etc, PLUS a crazy amount of fast food? I didn't include rent or mortgage payments, in case it's subsidized. Last night we saw good ol' dad paying for the 1,083 pizzas a week. But I doubt the average person featured on this show have family members willing to foot the bill for take out, although I'm sure some do. 

[fonfereksglen]

3 hours ago, Awfarmington said:

I forgot about food banks and churches. So that's a good point. But what about all the fast food? Is their check really large enough to pay their cell phone, cable, internet, gasoline, utilities, car insurance, car repairs, etc, etc, PLUS a crazy amount of fast food? I didn't include rent or mortgage payments, in case it's subsidized. Last night we saw good ol' dad paying for the 1,083 pizzas a week. But I doubt the average person featured on this show have family members willing to foot the bill for take out, although I'm sure some do. 

Much of what you ask is a mystery to those of us who start asking questions to Social Services on behalf of our family members with profoundly disabled adults because of a sudden catastrophic medical event.  What we finally figured out dealing with the bad and the very good about the system is ------that you are NOT given any benefits other than SSD (true disability) if you have any type of asset (think a paid in full life insurance policy, for instance) - other than a fully paid for home or car - higher than the magical $2,000.   And they don't give a rat's ass about your 200 gazillion million dollars in medical debt.  Or the myriad costs of maintaining your home while your are trapped for months in ICU, long hospitals stays, rehab facilities (often self paid because of limited insurance.)  It's all about the damn $2,000 is assets. 

For an adult with a mortgage free home and an ancient car loan free vehicle, the Federal Bankruptcy provisions are a godsend.  And then with subsequent medical costs, setting up a payment plan with your medical providers into forever until you become Medicare eligible.  But in the meantime, it really helps to have two adults not only caregiving this adult, but who also have the time, intelligence and financial means to deal with all this nonsense.  

The true scumballs that have been featured this year are why our medical costs are out of control.  They have never paid into the system --- ever.  Yet they are draining the benefits from the people who have paid in their entire lives.  Some of the people this season are "likeable," but other than Brandi and Kandi, most haven't worked much or ever.  Yet.... they are all sucking the life out of taxpayers and their family members who have earned some benefits.  

Edited March 31, 2017 by fonfereksglen

[okerry]

16 hours ago, fonfereksglen said:

The true scumballs that have been featured this year are why our medical costs are out of control.  They have never paid into the system --- ever.  Yet they are draining the benefits from the people who have paid in their entire lives.  Some of the people this season are "likeable," but other than Brandi and Kandi, most haven't worked much or ever.  Yet.... they are all sucking the life out of taxpayers and their family members who have earned some benefits.  

This is why I don't object to TLC showing people like these. You can talk and talk all you want about how people abuse the system, but nothing makes an impression like *seeing* it.

And to be fair, I think there was one other woman this season - ?Tanisha? who did work every day as a teacher's aide. But most all the others are nothing but hideous parasites bleeding the system dry and making it impossible for a non-parasite to get the care they might need.

[MillieSparklepants]

Have you seen the show based in the UK .... I think it's called Supersized? I started watching it, thinking it would be the same concept as 600 lb Life, but I couldn't even make it through the first ten minutes. These are morbidly obese people who have lived off the system their whole lives and are proud of it. One guy said he's glad there are enough stupid people out there willing to work and pay taxes and since he "doesn't feel like working," he shouldn't have to. From what I could tell before I turned it off in disgust, he and his family receive free housing, medical care, food, electronics, transportation, and other living expenses with absolutely no strings attached. All they do is sit around all day and eat junk food and when he gets too big to move, no problem, the stupid taxpayers will pick up the tab for his magic surgery as well.

I think the US is a couple of decades behind the UK in terms of entitlement mentality , but it's coming. This season of 600 lb Life has shown it.

[polandspring]

On 3/19/2017 at 5:40 PM, KittyKat94 said:

Someone on another thread said it could be that their caregivers (sometimes they have more than one) are all getting paid by the state, and then each of them get an EBT card.  That could explain where all of their money is coming from to buy that much food. 

Someone suggested they intentionally pulled James' daughter, Bailey, out of school so they could get another check in the household.  That wouldn't surprise me at all.

How would Bailey being out of school garner them another check?  Do you think they had her diagnosed with an illness that could get her disability?

[AZChristian]

1 hour ago, polandspring said:

How would Bailey being out of school garner them another check?  Do you think they had her diagnosed with an illness that could get her disability?

Having her declared as a caregiver???  If he was declared as needing 24-hour care, they might have multiple.  IDK - just speculating.

[Pestilentia]

Quote

To me it seems that this show in particular shows people in a "perfect storm" of sorts.  Not everyone will make it to 600 pounds.  Either our bodies are physically incapable of putting on that much weight, or they die of some related illness, or they have a profession that prevents them from the physical immobility one must practice to reach 600 pounds. If there weren't some biological component to people who reach this size I would be very surprised.

I don't see biology being at fault- it's the enabler that causes allows the perfect storm lifestyle choice.  

The very first day someone cannot/will not leave their bed is the day I put a plate of broccoli on a table in the next room and say "There is is, get up and go get it or no food for you."  

A show exploring the psychology of the enablers would be interesting.

[fliptopbox]

I'm 35 and I receive SSI (not disability because I have never been able to work enough to qualify). I have a litany of health issues that mainly stem from my stomach and digestive system, which all my issues started when I was born with a major birth defect. I also have crippling anxiety and depression. I applied for disability on my own about 12 years ago and was approved immediately. I still hate telling people I get SSI though because technically I *look* healthy. I'm not overweight, I am able to do some activities, but I am on TPN because I cannot eat like a normal person. It's really rough because SSI doesn't pay much, at all. I have to live with my parents because I can't afford to rent my own place. I also get food stamps, but that isn't an exorbitant amount either because I'm just a single person. Families get way more. I wish I was able to work. I went to school to become a medical assistant and every time I did get a job my health got in the way and I would get fired. I also have to go to at least 2 doctor appointments every week, so it's hard working in the medical field because doctors' offices are only open pretty much at the same time. If I'm working I can't just leave to go to my appointments all the time. It's just a really shitty situation and I wish my life was different....but sadly you can't change what you can't change.

[Tenarife60]

On ‎4‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 4:51 PM, fliptopbox said:

I'm 35 and I receive SSI (not disability because I have never been able to work enough to qualify). I have a litany of health issues that mainly stem from my stomach and digestive system, which all my issues started when I was born with a major birth defect. I also have crippling anxiety and depression. I applied for disability on my own about 12 years ago and was approved immediately. I still hate telling people I get SSI though because technically I *look* healthy. I'm not overweight, I am able to do some activities, but I am on TPN because I cannot eat like a normal person. It's really rough because SSI doesn't pay much, at all. I have to live with my parents because I can't afford to rent my own place. I also get food stamps, but that isn't an exorbitant amount either because I'm just a single person. Families get way more. I wish I was able to work. I went to school to become a medical assistant and every time I did get a job my health got in the way and I would get fired. I also have to go to at least 2 doctor appointments every week, so it's hard working in the medical field because doctors' offices are only open pretty much at the same time. If I'm working I can't just leave to go to my appointments all the time. It's just a really shitty situation and I wish my life was different....but sadly you can't change what you can't change.

Have you tried to get subsidized housing, either Section 8 or housing for the elderly and disabled?  I knew several people on SSI and that's what they did.

You are blessed to have gotten approved, and that quickly, because I had a former employer who was 44 was HIV and had cancer and he never got approved.  He eventually died.  I later learned that happens to a lot of people.

[fliptopbox]

8 hours ago, KittyKat94 said:

Have you tried to get subsidized housing, either Section 8 or housing for the elderly and disabled?  I knew several people on SSI and that's what they did.

You are blessed to have gotten approved, and that quickly, because I had a former employer who was 44 was HIV and had cancer and he never got approved.  He eventually died.  I later learned that happens to a lot of people.

Here in PA the Section 8 housing list is currently closed, and the wait list (from what I hear) is literally years, and families have top priority. At this point I'm staying with my folks til my boyfriend moves out of his friends' house and gets a place of his own...then I will live with him. He's currently in the process of saving a down payment for a house. We're shooting for living together by this fall.

[silverspoons]

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 7:43 AM, fonfereksglen said:

Yes, depending on the level of benefit.  Food stamps are means tested so the low income disabled qualify for the same benefit as other low income people.   Additionally, if they put forth the effort to qualify, the low income individuals can also receive groceries and other staples from food banks/pantries and church based charities.  It is quite possible to receive quite a bit of real food for next to nothing.  

I wish there was more cross checking agencies so people did not double/triple dip. It is especially upsetting during the holidays when families collect from several charities (then returning most of the items for gift card credit) leaving some families with none.  I live in Utah and was surprised if you apply for food stamps there is a question if you are getting food from the LDS church, vice versa the LDS church does not want people getting food from them to apply for food stamps.  I am Not LDS, but I was really impressed when I spent a day at their welfare distribution center. Able bodied people getting benefits pick the fruit, can the fruit, and then take home a few cases of the fruit. I  would love to see some of the cast of the 600lb life pick vegetables and fruit or can meats in order to get their food.

[MillieSparklepants]

2 hours ago, silverspoons said:

I wish there was more cross checking agencies so people did not double/triple dip. It is especially upsetting during the holidays when families collect from several charities (then returning most of the items for gift card credit) leaving some families with none.  I live in Utah and was surprised if you apply for food stamps there is a question if you are getting food from the LDS church, vice versa the LDS church does not want people getting food from them to apply for food stamps.  I am Not LDS, but I was really impressed when I spent a day at their welfare distribution center. Able bodied people getting benefits pick the fruit, can the fruit, and then take home a few cases of the fruit. I  would love to see some of the cast of the 600lb life pick vegetables and fruit or can meats in order to get their food.

Hey Silverspoons, I live in UT too!  I am now a non-participating member of the LDS church, but back in the day, I helped with many projects at the welfare distribution center and I agree with you, they have a good system to help people help themselves.

[MissFit]

On 3/29/2017 at 9:42 PM, SouthernCross said:

 

Remember, they get a check for participating so they have a whole lot more money than they are used to having. What else are they going to spend it on?

 

Actually, this isn't necessarily the case. Often times on shows like this where the person is getting something in return for participating ( surgery, a home make over, etc.) they aren't compensated financially. Often times they are paid a flat fee for appearing on the show but that money is directly forwarded to whomever is providing the service and isn't being paid by the production company. So on a surgery show, the fee will automatically be transferred to cover some of the cost of the hospital stay or the anesthesiologist. For medical shows, production will often use the patients insurance to take some of the cost off the medical service as well.

 

The place where it gets tricky is on shows where the person has to leave their home to participate like this one or something like the Bachelor. I remember hearing from someone who was on an MTV reality show ( real world or the challenge or something) say that MTV covers the cost of their rent while they are away because they are unable to work while filming the show. I don't know if this carries over to other shows like this one however I suspect it does. My educated guess is that production gives a flat fee for housing and how the patient chooses to spend it is up to them. Considering how much care these people need and all the medical bills and such AND the fact that it goes on for 12 months, I can't imagine they are given very much. It wouldn't be financially worth it to the network. T

Then again, I could be totally wrong on this.  Maybe TLC covers everything and pays them a bunch of money and just tells them to lie about it on camera as if they are poor and can't afford stuff to amp up the drama.