Younger person on SSI in truck camper

[CMKlein]

I have a friend in her 30s  on SSI who wants to live in a truck camper on her own, since she can't afford her rent, 
and maybe do some traveling while she's at it. Is there any way she can do that while keeping her SSI?

 

[B and C]

My wife was on SSDI (until she turned 62) and we didn't have any troubles traveling. Just gotta have that address and needed for a driver's license and other stuff too.

 

[jacqueg]

For SSI, she just needs a good address. The feds are good with you using an RV or boat as your primary residence.

But if she is receiving any state assistance, including food stamps and/or medicaid, those could be affected if she travels out of state. Be sure to clarify whether her state imposes travel limits. (Both food stamps and medicaid are administered by states. One size does not fit all.)

 

[sub2rainEN]

I’ve had no issues using Medicare in different states for emergencies. Prescriptions can also be transferred easily to a different location, but should be prescribed to a pharmacy in your home state. My doctor refills to my local CVS, I call to transfer to where I am. I’m usually in Indiana or NYC.

Also, she should notify her bank. Mine stopped my debit card several times, even for ATMs.

I’ve used food stamps in different states, but suggest checking on the legality of this. I didn’t have any issue or find any laws about it, but she should check with her case worker.


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[LERCA]

In California food stamps (now a debit card) and Medi-Cal are fine as long as you remain a state resident which means an address. I have a UPS mail address and the woman at the DMV made a comment that it was a mail drop not an address and I said yeah and that was it. No problems. I’m no longer in my car but I still use the mail box address. If you’re no longer a state resident you shouldn’t be getting benefits from your old state anyway.

 

[sub2rainEN]

I found that it is ok to use SNAP benefits in other states. The only caveats were that Puerto Rico does not use SNAP and to make sure the store accepts benefits. It was in the Help section on EBT.ca.gov:

https://www.ebt.ca.gov/cardholder/

I couldn’t copy the text, but took a screenshot.

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[LERCA]

I never looked into it but I thought SNAP was a state program but maybe with some federal assistance which would mean they have to take it. I asked the DMV about my handicapped placards and was told some states honor them and others don’t. The whole mess of old states rights v the federal government is tiresome now.
I was afraid to try my EBT card in AZ. I should have I guess. Good luck with Medi-Cal I never found one doctor who accepted it in California.

Edit: Medicare is a federal program therefore good everywhere. Then individual states have free medical insurance. In California it’s called Medi-Cal. Almost no doctors accept it. I’ve dealt with it for 40 years for my disabled brother then I had it for 3 years. I’m now on Medicare even though I’m far from retirement. Medicare pays 80% and my Medical-Cal is supposed to supplement but it denies everything that Medicare denies. Many doctors won’t accept my combination. 
The few doctors who accept Medi-Cal are scary.

 

[sub2rainEN]

SNAP is a federal program, but administered by states/counties. I definitely used benefits from CA in New Orleans about 8-9 years ago. The site addresses it in the FAQ, whiteout any warning, so it doesn’t seem the USDA has any issues with using them in different states. Some people may shop in the next state (when I was at Graceland, the nearest store was a Piggly Wiggly in Mississippi). Anyway, it’s legit.

I don’t know why you’re having trouble with Medicare. They have turned down some meds, but I was able to go to the same doctor I did when I had insurance. In my county, I had the choice of two companies. Both had my doctor, I can’t remember why I chose one over the other.

I had an emergency while visiting family in the Midwest in my van last fall. No issue getting coverage, although I had to give the ambulance company my insurance info, they billed me directly.

I also had no issue getting my Rx there and in NYC while visiting there 4 years ago. I tend to stay with an uncle in the Midwest about 2-3 months so I can visit the whole extended family. It only works because I can get my Rx every month.

You might want to check with your county that you have the right coverage. There’s open enrollment now due to COVID-19.


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[LERCA]

No Medicare is great. Medi-cal is a joke. Oddly since they deny everything Medicare denies I have no idea their purpose. Medicare pays 80% and I don’t have any trouble with it. One of the two large hospitals here decided not to accept my combo Medicare/Medi-cal since they’ve bought out all the local doctors’ practices it’s a pain. But I can still use UCLA and USC so f ‘em. Going to UCLA campus next week to the medical plaza to see a cardiologist.

 

[JuanKnucklehead]

I live on SSI & its my plan, A big chunk of Van/car/rv dwellers are on SSI because its all they can afford

 

[desert_sailing]

Going to UCLA campus next week to the medical plaza to see a cardiologist.

Hope your visit goes well and you get a clean bill of health!

 

[LERCA]

Thanks Desert. I’m not even near retirement age but had 20 plus years of health problems. Don’t know where to move where I can have such a choice of doctors and hospitals which is why I’m stil in Cali where I’m unhappy.

 

[sub2rainEN]

Have you checked other states to see what their version of ACA looks like/covers? I would think other liberal/progressive states (OR, WA, MA, NY to start) would have good coverage and options. I go to the same doctor I did when I had insurance through my employer.

Also, do you need frequent visits or check ups once or twice per year? If the latter, you could live in a nearby state (AZ, NV, OR), and drive back for appointments.

What are you looking for in a state/state of residence?

Wish you well.


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[LERCA]

Thanks. I want to live in the Northeast, West or Northern Midwest. But I need constant good medical care. It’s a never-ending curse of health problems small (broken feet, mystery GI acid reflux that allows me to eat 1x a a day, ulcer, hepatitis etc) medium (3 autoimmune conditions etc) big (arthritis of the spine/neck, cancer) plus assorted new possibilities like heart. This is a tiny fraction of my health issues. I feel 97 on a good day.

California has 3 or 4 of the top hospitals in the top ten in the US and more doctors per capita than any other city so far. Quality is falling so it may be a moot point soon.

I’ll escape as soon as I can. I can’t bear it much longer.