I am wondering if anyone can answer this with some actual knowledge.

[Doreen]

I am on SSDI and am in subsidized housing. If I got arrested for being at a protest could I lose all of that? I am just wondering if the government has me over a barrel to be part of protests.

[BigmanPigman]

1. If I were you I'd call one of those free legal places and ask.

I've thought about something similar myself. Things are so crazy these days with people in the US illegally and they are afraid to call cops if they need help. The general atmosphere is on edge so it's normal to worry. I'very been to many protests/marches/rallies throughout my lifetime and the 5 that I've participated in (very loudly and up front and center) since the election have been OK as far as cops are concerned. I'm always friendly, polite, stay in the perimeters of the allowed path and stay close to the protest's organizers. Peace, RESIST!

[Doreen]

7. Yeah, that is a good idea to go to legal aid and ask.

[samnsara]

2. good question! I hope you get the answer you need...have fun at the protest!..

..you may want to read your housing contract about arrests...and I think there are a lot of ppl on SSDI with arrest records.

[Doreen]

6. Unfortunately I am not about to go to a protest but I wanted to know for

when I do. When one does happen I will have fun. Most protests are up in Seattle and I usually do not have the money to get up there. Olympia occasionally has one but not a lot ( odd for a capitol city. )

[JimGinPA]

3. I'm Pretty Sure...

If you get arrested and have to spend any time in jail at all you'll lose benefits for that month. I don't know about the housing though.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. A lot of people get confused about SSI and SSDI

If you are getting SSDI ( Soc. Sec. disability) it is an insurance program that you earned with your taxes.
As long as your disability "allows" you to protest, I am pretty sure the Feds. won't be bothered.
You are entitled to the payments.
But if your have a disability which would normally keep a person from participating in a protest, that might be a problem.

If you are getting STATE disability ( SSI) , same thing applies, as to disability.
However, SSI is a "means tested" program, so if you were to be in jail more than half a month, they would look at that as you not paying for your housing that month, and want their money back. They could even kick you off while they are "investigating" which could lead to a hassle getting back on SSI.
Some states are meaner than others about looking to kick people off SSI.

Mr. Dixie was on SSDI until he reached 65 and was transferred to regular Soc. Sec. benefits, so I had to educate myself about the programs.

[Doreen]

5. I am on SSDI. I put in enough quarters to get the highest or almost the highest monthly amount.

There is nothing about my disability that would keep me from protesting. I just would not be able to stand for a whole day or even half a day and a march would probably be no more than a mile or maybe two. I did a protest in Olympia Wa and stood for two hours and that was it for me. I was wiped out the next two days. I am 49 so I am a ways of from 65 but how things are now that may not mean anything. I have talked to people who have gone from one benefit to Soc Sec and they have nothing good to say about it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. they have nothing good to say about it.

Can you share with me more info. about that? If you don't mind.....

[Doreen]

9. The ones I have talked to get less monthly income than they used to

and their health insurance costs them more. For some they no longer brought in enough to stay in the low income housing they were in. That is the problem with low income housing at times you still need to be making a certain amount.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. That does not sound like soc. Sec.

We had no change in amount at all.

I don't know about what insurance people you talk to are using, but with Soc. Sec. you can get Medicare at age 65.
Actually, are automatically given Hospital insurance, free, ( it is called Part A) but you have to sign up for Part B, which covers outpatient services, dr. bills, tests. That is around 140.00 or so a month, exact amount can slightly differ.

You can, but do not have to, sign up for Part D ( drugs) and something called Advantage, which is run by private insurers, that will cost a lot more than Part B.

When you hear from the people telling you about insurance, ask them which parts of Medicare they are getting.

[treestar]

11. I doubt it

One thing has nothing to do with the other. If sentenced to an actual jail term, then they might cut if off on the grounds you are fed and housed in jail.

[Doreen]

12. I think the fed and housed might not work as with

SSDI you can be married or live with anyone and it does not matter if they make $1 or $100,000 dollars a month or year. You can even win money at a casino and not lose it because it is not considered a constant income.