New Yorkers with AIDS who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance reacted with disbelief yesterday [October 17] when they learned about an upcoming increase in rent contributions that they will have to start paying.
According to activists from the Latino Commission on AIDS, who organized a press conference on the steps of City Hall, patients and family members will have to scramble to find a way to make ends meet with the 20 percent increase in their housing contributions.
This new law, which is scheduled to begin November 1, gave only a few days notification to those affected.
Guillermo Chacon, vice-president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, said that 300 families with SSI assistance will struggle with this proposal. This is the first such change in rent contributions in 20 years.
The activist explained that city and state officials have negotiated for over two years about the amount of money SSI and Social Security Disability (SSD) beneficiaries should contribute for housing. The current contribution of 30 percent, according to Chachon, will be raised to 50 percent by Governor George Pataki and his Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
"The problem is that these families receive $750 monthly and with this kind of increase they will not be able to make it," said Chacon, making clear that patients with AIDS have to purchase medicine, food and other needs.
The spokesman for Temporary and Disability Assistance, Michael Haynes, said that because of erroneous calculations, which came to light through a city audit performed in March 2004, AIDS patients had been contributing "too little" to their SSI payment.
Assemblyman Peter Rivera gathered forces with activists and AIDS patients at the protest. After pointing out that the proposal to increase housing contributions has not been made public, Rivera said those who are opposed to the increase should bring their dispute to Albany.
This political approach, said Rivera, has worked before when it is to the benefit of New Yorkers.
SSI is a federal income supplement program designed to assist the aged, blind and disabled people, who have little or no income. It provides cash to meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
"I've lived with HIV for 23 years and I receive SSI. Changes or a raise on rental contributions would affect me greatly. I don't know how I will provide for my family with the little that will be left from my paycheck after I pay rent," said Rosa Ramos.
