The weather in upstate New York has finally improved and we just celebrated Memorial Day. Rochester and surrounding areas entered the summer festival season with enthusiasm. I’ve been trying to get out and have some fun in the sun. But, gas prices hit $4.00 per gallon, and now I’m afraid of the gas station. I’ve sacrificed my former daily Dunkin’ fix to fuel my car. I guess I am a little cranky to have to relinquish coffee for gas but I’ll blame it on the caffeine withdrawal.

I went to the grocery store to get food and supplies. I half filled the cart, went through the checkout and left with a $150.00 receipt. I can just see the tumbleweeds rolling around in my bank account. I definitely feel a lump in my throat. Since my income hasn’t changed, I need to do some serious rethinking about where my money is going. If I’m worried, I can only imagine how others feel.

As a human service provider, I have plenty of opportunities to interact with people who rely on benefits and services to live independently in the community. The community model – where people are not defined by disability – enables individuals to choose to live with dignity of risk and freedom of choice in dwellings of their choice. Federal, State and local government provide the means, regulation and structure enabling service providing agencies to support the needs of the people.

There are different waivers that help to distribute funding and services to different populations living in New York State. The Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver supports adults with a diagnosed brain injury. Many people who get services through this waiver are only able to get the minimum amount of financial support which in 2008 is $740.00 per month. This pays for food, housing, clothing, supplies – everything. There is not much room for error when living on a fixed income.

I guess this is why several people I know ran out of food in the last few weeks. During a time when celebration is in the air, I have people calling me to tell me they could not stretch their income through the month and have no food left. Most of these people are experienced with pinching pennies and utilizing programs, discount stores and natural supports to ensure their needs are met each month. But now the cost of living is pushing people past their already supported means and the fallout is coming. Donation businesses, food shelves, food banks and other local supports are already struggling to meet the demand of the community. What happens when many people who have been self-sufficient suddenly seek these supports?

The community is strongly affected by the economy. The most dependent people are the most vulnerable to fluctuation – especially downward. How can individuals have quality of life, make choices and live successfully when decisions like medicine or food, weather appropriate clothing or housing are tearing them apart?

What about the people who have diabetes or other health problems that require specific dietary needs? The cost of fresh food, gluten free products, organic food and nutritional supplements is more than high fat, sodium rich generics and processed food. Do people resort to compromising their health because they cannot afford healthy food? Will people be forced to utilize the overburdened health care system when changes to diet cause illness? Will people resort to deviance to obtain income? How do service providers help people to avoid resorting to extremes?

This year I have only seen one or two people get an increase in food stamps. Most got a reduction when income allowances increased by $30.00 or so in January despite increases in rent and overall cost of living. It is heartbreaking to think this country, with such abundance is failing to meet the needs of those who consume so little of the overall whole.

As service providers how do we seek more support for these people when systemically the rates are set? We can advocate for change and increased funding; but this takes time and patience. In the meantime, awareness, increased communication among providers about the issues and access to local supports will have to suffice as we all transition into times where the dollar is not stretching far.