Despite receiving $2,065 per month in Social Security benefits, 74-year-old Cincinnati resident, Rebecca Walriven-Lawson, is struggling to meet her basic needs after losing her Medicaid coverage. Her unexpected predicament highlights the challenges that many older Americans face when monthly checks barely cover rent, utilities, and medical care.
Walriven-Lawson’s sole income was deemed too high for Medicaid eligibility, leaving her without vital assistance. Her rent is $835, plus about $125 for electric bills, and she also has to cover a $177 Medicare premium. With her son out of work, her expenses stretch every dollar of her monthly check.
“One more raise in my rent is going to put me out on the street,” she said. “I am fighting a losing battle trying to stay afloat.” She explains that she needs back surgery to regain mobility, yet she must now find a part-time job just to afford this procedure.
In fact, there have been days when she and her son get by on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. “I have slept on a couch for three years, but cannot afford two bedrooms,” she added. “I have no food. No money. Unpaid bills, no car.”
How older Americans face financial hardship when Social Security falls short
Walriven-Lawson’s story echoes that of countless older Americans who find themselves short on funds once rent, healthcare, and other essentials are paid. She started working in factories at age 18, later driving trucks and serving as a travel agent. However, as her health declined in her late 40s, expenses continued to rise.
She has fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis, forcing her to leave the workforce in 2000. Now, she faces a collapsed disc and needs further tests on her hands, which have undergone surgery. With Medicaid gone, those out-of-pocket costs are unmanageable.
Below is a brief snapshot of her monthly outflow:
| Expense | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent | $835 |
| Electric | $125 |
| Medicare Premium | $177 |
| Groceries and Essentials | Varies |
| Medical Appointments/Drugs | Varies |
She hopes to regain Medicaid so she can afford regular treatment and reduce these burdens.
Why losing Medicaid eligibility creates unexpected challenges for seniors with chronic conditions
Without Medicaid, Walriven-Lawson must navigate copays and medication costs that Medicare does not fully cover. Chronic conditions can quickly drain limited resources, causing patients to delay or skip vital treatments. Have you ever wondered how many Americans face the same dilemma?
“I have to go down with a fight,” she said. “It’s the way I was raised, and the way I have lived this long.” She hopes part-time work will help her pay off bills, restore her credit, and fund the surgery she needs to walk comfortably again.
Walriven-Lawson advises anyone in a similar situation to review all possible benefit programs, contact local support services, and remain persistent. “Of most importance is getting my benefits back so I can pay for my doctors and medicine,” she said. “That would put approximately $400 back into my budget.”