The NYS Social Services System has inconsistencies that can make financial security very challenging. For someone not familiar with this system, it might not make any sense. In fact, that is because it is not sensible.
Nassau County Department of Social Services
A Closed System
Social Services is a closed system. In other words if one area increases, another area will decrease rather than also increase. For example, when there is a COLA (cost of living) increase in monthly social security payments, food stamp payments will decrease.
Logic would dictate that if the cost of living increases, the cost of food also increases. But the closed system concludes that if an individual receives a greater social security payment, there is less need for assistance with food purchases.
Another example is that increases to income through other sources and benefits can lessen if not eliminate ones eligibility for food stamps. In other words, it can best to get a direct increase in food stamps rather than an increase in monthly income.
In addition, if an individual’s income increase is great enough, one can lose Medicaid benefits. That can result in a loss of coverage for medical expenses that are covered under Medicaid. Medicaid coverage is substantially greater than Medicare coverage. Therefore if one needs financial assistance from the social services system, it is better to qualify for more help rather than less help.
New York State Local Social Services Departments
The Inconsistencies
Because of the inconsistencies within the social services system, it is important to learn how it works. A good place to start is with a social worker at a community senior center. Actually these professionals often schedule visits to senior residential facilities offering their services at no cost.
The NYC Department of Social Services
In addition, counties have facilities where individuals can learn about and apply for financial assistance. To find one, check on Google. In the Sources & Resources section below are links to several social services departments. They include New York State and counties within it.
This post was originally written before The Trump Administration came into power. One of their campaign promises was to repeal and replace Obamacare. At this time, it is not known what the outcome will be. But an article in TalkPoverty.com indicates that a completely new plan could decimate Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities.
The Healthcare Insurance Crisis
There is a Poor Middle Class healthcare insurance crisis in this country. In fact, this issue is of growing concern. The lack of sufficient medical care coverage for many people is the cause. The cost for others is also of great concern. The deepest concern is felt by the poor and poor middle class. Here’s the reason. With the election of the new President, the Obamacare Program was promised to be discarded and replaced. But now in spite of that promise, no one knows what would or could replace it.
At present closer examination, lawmakers see that Obamacare will not be so easy to repeal and replace. Instead of such an extreme measure, they are suggesting that refinement may be a more reasonable solution. But with the new President, this could be even more of a challenge. The reason is that he is not in favor of compromise. He would rather make a sweeping changes. That would mean erasing the blackboard and starting over from scratch. According to the map in Figure 1 below, Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion could be in jeopardy. This could impact healthcare negatively for many people.
Figure 1: Expansion states are split between Republican and Democratic governors as of January 2017.
Medicare and Medicaid
Essentially, the differences between Medicare and Medicaid is fairly straightforward. In other words, eligibility for Medicare is at age 62. Contrary to Medicare, Medicaid benefits are based on financial need and disabilities rather than by age. In addition, individuals above a certain income level pay a monthly premium for Medicare. Not only that, they have a co-pay for medical services. On the other hand, Medicaid recipients do not have a co-pay. Let’s go to Wikipedia for more thorough definitions of Medicare and Medicaid.
Figure 2: Medicaid eligibility increased for parents and other adults in expansion states under the ACA.
The Wikipedia definitions for Medicare and Medicaid
Definition of Medicare According to WikipediaMedicare card and Medicaid logo samplesDefinition of Medicaid According to Wkikpedia
Figure 3: Most of the growth in Medicaid enrollment was in expansion states and the West from Summer 2013 to September 2016.
The Prospects for Poor Middle Class Healthcare
There are added benefits to Medicaid over Medicare. Therefore, maintaining Medicaid is a major concern for poor middle class people’s health care insurance. Individuals on Medicaid have:
• a zero monthly premium
• 100% coverage for primary medical care
• referred coverage at no charge
• minimal charge for prescriptions
Figure 4: About 11 million Medicaid enrollees in 2015 were newly eligible adults in the expansion group.
What Coverage and Financing is at Risk Under a Repeal of the ACA Medicaid Expansion?
The article begins: What Coverage and Financing is at Risk Under a Repeal of the ACA Medicaid Expansion? Dec 06, 2016 | Robin Rudowitz, Samantha Artiga, and Katherine Young
Figure 5: Uninsured rate drops more between 2013 and 2016 in states that adopted the Medicaid expansion.
This article concludes: What Coverage and Financing is at Risk Under a Repeal of the ACA Medicaid Expansion? Dec 06, 2016 | Robin Rudowitz, Samantha Artiga, and Katherine Young
Figure 6: From January 2014 – June 2015, spending for the expansion group totaled $84 billion ($79 billion in federal funds).
