Government 1 - Me 0

The arthritis is getting to the point it is hard to use my hands (thank goodness I only use a couple of fingers to type!). My arthritis symptoms are almost non-existent if I can afford the weekly Enbryl injections. I never thought I'd be giving myself shots- its amazing what pain levels can do to one's attitudes and perceptions.

Depending on the pharmacy, you would probably be quoted about $550 per shot.  I need shots on a weekly basis to keep the swelling and pain under control. Except for a little swelling, one would never know I had arthritis when the drugs have had a chance to build up in my system. I had applied to the Foundation that supplies Enbryl at reduced or no cost to those of us without medical insurance, but I was told that since I make UNDER $10k per year, I would have to be rejected by Medicaid before they could continue my application process... Note: If I made OVER 10k, I was led to believe I would qualify for 1 year of Enbryl - after which time, I assume I would be reevaluated.

I finally decided to go to the DSHS office (back in the day, we called it the Welfare office) to see if I could get medical benefits. The lady at the information counter was nice enough to tell me that if I was only there to get Medical benefits, it would take approximately 3 months to get an appointment [at this point I think I growled and showed her my "mean" face, but she bravely continued], if I applied for food stamps (i.e. EBT food card) or cash benefits, then the medical benefits would be tied into the same interview which they could conduct that day. So began the first time I have ever applied for Welfare.

After almost 2 hours waiting, The interview (it may have lasted 15-20 minutes) went fairly smoothly with me answering all the questions (The woman, maybe mid-twenties, verbally asked every question on the form I was required to fill out and hand over to her. Why fill out the form? Obviously they had to keep a printer in business; it sure wasn't so she could refer to it for information when she had a question). I told her I had no income and have not had income for the past year- I have been living with my sister Laurie who pays the rent, utilities, and some food bills. I pay the assorted bill whenever I garage-sell something from storage (from when I had a life) - refrigerator, water heater,  dresser, collectable... whatever.

I was rejected for Medical benefits - I can't prove I didn't have income. Yep, only the government could come up with a phrase like that. The fact I sold personal items to keep myself afloat (in conjunction to Laurie's footing the living expenses) does not compute in their vast, far-reaching, tax-payer paid computer system. On the aside, I was also rejected for monthly cash, because I can't prove I can't work - I guess the swollen, arthritic hands were not, in her medical opinion, reason enough for me to be granted a reasonable doubt. I will add at this point, she never once asked my if I had a doctor's slip to confirm the severity of the condition... I had at one point mentioned that if I had the medication, my disability would go away and I could work (and would be happy to do so). I DID get $200 in food benefits- I guess the fact I wasn't completely emaciated was proof enough that I was able to eat food.

Such is the irony of benefits. I've worked hard and continuously since 1977, paying into the tax and social security system - yet I can't get medical benefits when I truly need them. While a 23 year old kid I know was telling my sister how his government benefits would be paying to get the 26 cavities (I kid you not!) fixed.

Needless to say, I'll be submitting my appeal. I'll probably lose because I still won't be able to prove I didn't have income. Sigh.

(Note 8/9/12): I forgot to update that the medicaid, cash benefits and foodstamps were all allowed. When I went to appeal, it turns out the processor had indicated that I could work, not that I was unable to work. So I have the medical insurance, but we are still doing the arthritis medications dance... Argggg! So frustrating. The war continues.