Wrightway

 

Florida Economy Survey- Comments

(*Mostly) Unedited

Go BACK to Survey Results

Survey Results

Open-ended Responses

COMMENTS: - experiences trying to find a job in Florida - Hardships your family has faced due to job loss - What you are doing to make ends meet - Your concerns

**  COMMENT  **  Neither my wife or i have medical insurance anymore, it is beyond our budget.Our home insurance went up, property tax went up, and our pay was decreased. As a provider of a meaningful service, it has become very hard to survive. I would earn more as a mailman, than what i do as a service provider. We have not had a proper vacation in 6 years, and it does not look as if we will be able to afford one soon.

**  COMMENT  **  We must cut back in non essential purchases of any kind.

**  COMMENT  **  I took a hit when the Tiers started as I wasn't FSL certified and it took "forever " until I was able to serve clients in Tier 4. Fortunately, my S. S. took a big jump because my ex (children's father)died. If it had not been for that, we would 've been hurting.

**  COMMENT  **  Our children are jobless and we have to care for them. Cuts in my own pay now total a loss of $800./mo. I am 72 and still working. The savings that I hoped to have by now are gone.

**  COMMENT  **  Medical Co-pays and uncovered medications, services and equipment are really beginning to add up, as less is covered by insurance, Medicare and Medicaid (or the waiver )

**  COMMENT  **  We consider ourselves fortunate. We have a service oriented business-- med-waiver , and we have several sources of income from leases and retirement social security . We are secure and our business has grown over the past five years.

**  COMMENT  **  due to medicaid services being cut, have family and friends helping take care of disabled son while I take care of a cronic medicial condition. Looking for 501 c programs to help pay for treatment of cronic medicial condition.

**  COMMENT  **  My son lives in a supported apartment setting and staff is stretched thin. Both of my sons work in an ADT and there is very little contract work for them to do as the work is connected to the building industry. My younger son really wants a job in a restaurant, but no one is hiring, right now. We'll get through, but only because we have wonderful providers.

**  COMMENT  **   I'm a WSC with an agency. My husband was laid off in Nov. as an AutoCadd engineer in a surveying company. He is also 62. There are no jobs to even apply for and he feels his age is held against him. Thank goodness he receives unemployment. We are trying to hold off for a couple months before he applies for Social Security . We've had to sell some extra stuff we aren't using and don't spend as much.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband is currently doing odd jobs for family memebers. He has a 20 year old criminal history so it is ten times as hard for him to find a job even thought he has only been in trouble once 20 years ago and thn never again!

**  COMMENT  **  Working longer rather than retiring

**  COMMENT  **  Our family is paying an attorney $300.00 an hour to apply for a hearing to fight the tier and rebasing issues. Our daughter just moved out a year ago and has a roomate in a home that we purchased for her and she is paying us back. If the rebasing or Tier assignment goes through she will lose up to $40,000.00 in services and will not be able to live in her own home. In addition, our health insurance was doubled to $4,000.00 per month so we had to significantly cut the benefits so that we can "afford" the $2,000.00 a month. Last year I had cancer which included chemo treatments and radiation. If it comes back we are going to be in big trouble .

**  COMMENT  **  I am a waiver provider and due to the state cutbacks i have taken a huge cut in pay to keep my agency running and my employee's employed. Hopefully we can all survive this time of crisis. Good Luck to everyone!!

**  COMMENT  **  We took a big pay cut when they cut rates. We each are working two jobs just to make sure we can pay all the bills.

**  COMMENT  **  My job doesn't have benefits for me, so I can not afford healthcare. Really need health benefits.

**  COMMENT  **  NOT EATING OUT-HAVING ALL OUR MEALS AT HOME. BUYING THINGS ON SALE. CONSOLIDATING SEVERAL STOPS PER TRIP BY CAR.

**  COMMENT  **  I have no comments.

**  COMMENT  **  our age is against us finding work plus failing health. We have lost benefits because of the tier system. We, parents and our grown daughter have cut back on pratically everything. Our lives have really changed over the past year.

**  COMMENT  **  I am a WSC and have increased my caseload. This takes away from the time I give to the individuals, to each person, on my caseload. Things are overlooked. My husband has taken on a second job.

**  COMMENT  **  We are doing worse because of the stock market and tanked investments!

**  COMMENT  **  We have had cuts but we are OK.

**  COMMENT  **  The bailouts have screwed everything up. People have to learn not to overspend. Our retirement is down the tubs and we are at retirement age, We are planting a garden and cutting back in what we spend. Keep government out and let everyone learn a very hard lesson.

**  COMMENT  **  Our son has lost his job and has now been unemployed for a year, unable to find a job. My husband and I are have been paying his bills, since his unemployment benefits ended. WE can no longer afford to do so because of the cuts in our own income, we are now preparing for him to move back in with use. Can you imagine how this is affecting a 30 year man who wants to be self reliant?

**  COMMENT  **  I am head of household, 1 child, 16 years old. I am a wheelchair user, working part time. Accessibility is always a concern for me in the job market.

**  COMMENT  **  We have been truly blessed!

**  COMMENT  **  My husband is a painting contractor and has has a handful of jobs in this past year . I am a support coordinator and have sustained 3 pay cuts in the last year. We are just trying to hang in there. I am going day by day to try to remain in the job that I love, but may soon be forced to return to more lucrative work.

**  COMMENT  **  Because of the recent rate cuts in Medicaid Waiver services rates and me being the "breadwinner" of my family of five, including my parapalegic husband, I've been forced to terminate employees and work their shifts, which takes me away from the home where I am unable to provide personal care services to my wheelchair bound spouse.

**  COMMENT  **  Our main struggle is with lack of services for our adult disabled daughter, who is still on the waitlist. It is simply terrible, and totally unacceptable.

**  COMMENT  **  Decreases in income and increases in not covered medical no insurance for anyone other than disabled child. Dont go to doctor Looking for more work that can be done while child sleeps lack of good care for child makes finding job impossible . Last interview was called 4 times surprise did not get job. Using more coupons and car less buying less doing with less.making child clothes and repairing more praying more

**  COMMENT  **  We help support a 91 year old Mother that does not live with us but we see every other day. Our DD son also lives independently with support but we see him every day due to his needs that are not always met. My husband was forced to retire and has not found a job.We manage.

**  COMMENT  **  I provide supported employment services for half of my census.I cannot find employmenmt for two of my customers and one lost waiver funding.I am an Independent solo provider .My income has been cut in half due to the economy.

**  COMMENT  **  with the cuts apply by the state to the industry we are having to choose between what is more important food ,meds, insurance ,house and the bills that comprise the runinng of the household and business.

**  COMMENT  **  I had a hemoragic stroke a year ago and lost my job because of the residual effects from my illness and financial cuts to the non-profit agency I worked for. The previous 4% funding cuts has cost my daughter necessary services she must do without and current consideration of an additional cut of 15% will severely impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their necessary services. My daughter lost her dental services last year and is at risk of loosing her teeth and she is only 34 years old. I am concerned for their health and safety!

**  COMMENT  **  I broke my neck 3 years ago and then lost my job. I now have a new job but with a lot less money than I was earning before. My credit went spiraled downward because I had no insurance. I used all my savings, IRAs and couldn't pay 2 credit cards . I am slowly getting on my feet but I do not have the money to purchase the foods I need if I call foodstamps they tell me I make too much. I guess the goodside is I can never be classed as obese.

**  COMMENT  **  Although no job loss, lots of medical expenses that catastrophic insurance coverage did not cover. Health care costs are out of control along with other insurance costs in general. Law suits with huge rewards don't help with doctors ordering overkill tests to prevent being sued. Need more honesty and integrity in government and in businesses acting for long term not short term gains. Resources for the disabled , elderly and children should remain strong as this will reflect our values in Florida .

**  COMMENT  **  I am a 65 year old single female who provides supports for med waiver recipients . Personally I have had to adjust my budget because of med waiver cuts that affect my income and also rising costs, but can survive for now. My concern is any future cuts to services to those I serve can only further punish them simply for being born with special needs which was never their choice. Florida legislature either cares about its most vulnerable, or it doesn't. Their choices will most certainly determine my voting options in the future. And I'm planning on living a very long time.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband and son work in the contruction industry and it's basically not there anymore. Of course life style changed drastically - less food and type of food , heat and A/C turned down and sometimes off, unable to pay the mortgage, truck payment and etc. My own work is considering changing insurance policies which will be and additional devastation to our family if they choose the most responsible policy. Should know next week since it will mean no coverage for major injectibles needed for my own health condition and no way to pay for them. Injectibles are approximately $3,000.00 a month. Pray the new government can change America' s health care system for ALL.

**  COMMENT  **  Husband passed away, son started college and I am single trying to support us on my own now.

**  COMMENT  **  We work for Agency for Persons with Disabilities, we have taken pay cuts, had hours cut this does affect our pay, but we have just increased our work load to make up the difference.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband and myself are both Medicaid Waiver Providers and with the budget cuts that Medicaid has imposed which affect our income, we feel that we are in danger of losing our home. We are trying to arrange a Mortgage Modification, but our credit has suffered severely. This will make if difficult to borrow money in the future for any reason. However, with the economy what it is, we feel lucky to still have jobs, which many of our friends no longer have.

**  COMMENT  **  I do not have a problem with my family but my nephew lost his job and he was a massage therapist for APD. Since then we have sent so many applications out for him and nothing no responses yet. He had to go on food stamps, medicaid. His wife just finally got a job to help out with financial but not enought to provide for 6 people in family and 4 children under age of 8. My brother is 53 and lost his job right after taking in 3 nephews that their mom passed away in child birth last yr. They are all under 4. He did not qualify for food stamps or anything beucase the children are from NY not Fl. There for FL will not help.

**  COMMENT  **  Have to work a regular second job due to inadaquate compensation for agency WSCs (despite being held to high standards/expectations). Rates lower than when I started seven years ago. Wonder about viability of employer if legislature imposes yet another rate cut.

**  COMMENT  **  I have had a cut in pay by $2000. But by God's grace have some how managed to survive . I am paying my tithes and trying to honor God in all I do. And continue to pray that God continue to meet the needs as his word says.

**  COMMENT  **  I have cut out all extras, Star Bucks, snacks, eating out. buying clothes. Cut out rides, going to parks and things such as movies. I am growing a garden, Disconected fax phone, downgraded cable. Got rid of one car. Trying to stop smoking, Purchased a car with good gas milage. Taking lunch to work. downgraded cell phone... Im still looking for me things to cut, If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.

**  COMMENT  **  How to survive ??That is my concern

**  COMMENT  **  I lost my job as a Job Coach due to budget cuts and I was the only income in the household. I have had to discontinue my home phone service, cable and cut way back on groceries. I don't drive as much as I did due to the cost of gas and rarely go out to eat dinner anymore.

**  COMMENT  **  My company had to close one group home last December 31, 2008 due to the 40% loss in income resulting from the State Legislature. The other group home we run has had an empty bed for over a year; and we are in imminent danger of losing that home. My 81 year old mother lives with me know. We are struggling to make the mortgage and the utility payments. We've had to chose between keeping our health insurance or making my car payment; so we chose the health insurance. Our only vehicle will be repossed soon as the lender will not lenghten the terms of the loan or reduce the interest rate. When asked if there wasn't anything they could do, they stated "we don't refinance, we reposses! It is very difficult for my Mom to get up into my 16 year old pick-up truck and it will be painful for her to keep her medical appointments...We do not live near public transportation here on the West end of Volusia County...

**  COMMENT  **  We have two children in residential programs. We are helping to supply them with clothes and supplies. My agency is cutting costs; has cut some hours for some people and cut some positions. We never know what is next.

**  COMMENT  **  WHAT CAN I SAY , ITS DIFFICULT FOR US AND MANY OTHER FAMILIES

**  COMMENT  **  Being more frugal with money, pushing car maintenance, stretching medications, eating at home more often. Not following through with medical care. conserving gas for job as an SC

**  COMMENT  **  My wife and I started a Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver providing company a couple years ago. Between the cuts in service, the arbitrary tier assignments , the reduction in rates and the general disorganization at the APD we are dying . We provided emergency services to a young man with autism for 16 hours per day for 60 days starting the beginning of November 2008 and still have not been paid one penny. The SC points her finger at the APD and APS Healthcare and they point their fingers back at the SC. We provided 960 hours of emergency services while the individual's mother was hospitalized and the local APD office has offered us $5,100. This is criminal! We have a strong contact at Channel 10 Connects in Tamps and, unfortunately, it looks as though we will have to go to the press to get the issue resolved.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband and I both have our own businesses. He has a computer business that works mostly with small businesses. He has lost several clients that have had to go out of business, or simply stop his services due to their financial status. We do not have any insurance so my husband and I go without any medical and pay a lot out of pocket when our kids get sick.

**  COMMENT  **  jobs are very hard to find. Our family has managed to get most creditors to placed us on their hardship programs. Which most programs will close your account if join hardship program. Causing our credit score to go very low. It has been the most difficult year ever in my 45 years of living.

**  COMMENT  **  As senior citizens and with GM pension there is a threat but at this time not affected except by rise in prices and overall economy Disabled daughter lives in Group Home on waiver and affected by cuts and tier system

**  COMMENT  **  My disabled daughter has seen her hours at her employment cut from 20 hours / week to 4 hours per week. She lives in her own home with supported independent living , but we have to continue to be active and assist her both with finances and followup on transportation and other aspects of her day to day activities.

**  COMMENT  **  It is becoming increasingly more difficult to meet the needs of people with disabilities in Florida. Other states are not having these severe cuts.

**  COMMENT  **  Finding the job you want is very difficult, finding a job to help pay bills - less so. We cut back to basics. I'm worried about the children and disabled, who don 't have as many choices.

**  COMMENT  **  There are no jobs, our legislature could care less. There is no joy living in Florida .

**  COMMENT  **  The concern is that the disabled among the education and health services are the first to be cut and continue to be cut. When is this going to stop and when are the legislatures going to realize that what has been done so far has not worked . But rather place individuals in jeopardy of being vicitimized or institutionalized . There needs to be another approach to the problem (Florida's budget).

**  COMMENT  **  I worked for a non-profit agency last year, but the services I provide were eliminated from the regular-employee positions. This year, I'm providing services as a solo provider, paying for my own insurance, etc. and waiting for service authorizations .

**  COMMENT  **  We are fortunate to have stable jobs. The rising health insurance premiums and deductibles have effected how we use our health benefits. Although we try to keep current with well visits, which are covered under our plan, any other medical visits , dental care & prescriptions are basically out of pocket because of our high deductible and that can be stressful. Our two adult children live with us (one is disabled ) because they are unable to support themselves despite having full time jobs.

**  COMMENT  **  I own my own company. Having said that funding that comes from State and Federal programs causes a constant eye on funding, laws etc. It has caused providers to think out of the box and become more resoruceful.

**  COMMENT  **  Cannot afford medical insurance (@500/month), May have to make payments on 08 taxes , facing forclosure on newly built home as cannot sell it and cannot sell old home . Dumping inheratance into holding out making payments on 2 houses. Also can't find renters. I thought this was anonymous!!!Now you are asking me to enter my email address to verify my identity!!!! You will get less participants this way !!!!It's embarressing!

**  COMMENT  **  I am afraid that SSI and Medicade will not pick up so my son can go to an ADT without a break in services.

**  COMMENT  **  I'm borrowing money to pay our bills. extending due date for bills.My car needs repairs I can't afford.I fill out applications frequently and recieved no calls for a job. My five percent pay cut in July really hurts a single mother who is dedicated to caring for disabled people.

**  COMMENT  **  due to a cut in pay i have been forced to rent out a bedroom in my small 2 bedroom condo. i also have no health insurance so i pray that i stay healthy.

**  COMMENT  **  we are retired.

**  COMMENT  **  Work at Home Depot to make ends meet.

**  COMMENT  **  cutting way back. still struggling financially. when i graduated i had a monthly school loan that was 186dollars a month. Now, my salary is 3thousand a year higher , but student loan is now 341dollars. went through savings and now living paycheck to paycheck praying that the car doesn't need a repair. my dad supported me and 5 brothers on a civil servant salary, I went and got a masters degree and can't even support myself. something is wrong here.

**  COMMENT  **  The waiver cuts have put a significant hit on my household income as my caseload was cut in half by the tiers. I've branched out in other ways to stay financially afloat but am getting nearer and nearer to having to quit taking waiver clients as my caseload expands in other domains. It's sad. The clients with the waiver are more than clients - they are a huge part of my life and I'll really miss the opportunity to work with persons with disabilities.

**  COMMENT  **  I lost my job 2 weeks ago and my ex-husband is behind paying child support and has moved out of state, so now his kids will rarely see him. I am concerned about keeping a roof over my head for my kids and keeping them in the lifestyle they are accustomed to.

**  COMMENT  **  Eat out once a month. Use coupons. Cut back on fun things, movies, getting nails done, plot out places to go so that more places are covered enroute

**  COMMENT  **  We are living off our savings that we HAD planned to transfer to a special needs trust to take care of the many years ahead of support for our developmentally disabled young adult child. Our child is on the endless waitlist for medwaiver services . She will not have a funded slot for years and years and years..........if ever .

**  COMMENT  **  I had to take a job that is soul destroying. All we do at work is look at budgets and try to find ways to cut, cut, cut. People often tell me that I am lucky to have a good paying job. My job makes me feel terrible about myself. We have no health insurance. My husband needs medical care and tests but refuses to see a doctor due to cost.

**  COMMENT  **  MORE PRICE SHOPPING FOR FOOD AND CLOTHING = TAKING NO TRIPS - BUYING ONLY NECESSITIES - OPTED TO NOT BUY A NEW CAR

**  COMMENT  **  We left Florida in Aug 2008 because on SSDI we couldn't afford $2k monthly house payment plus $7K yearly Hurricane insurance plus $1200 monthly HOA fees plus $13K in property taxes.

**  COMMENT  **  Due to medicaid cuts and APD changes and as a new agency provider (getting the throw away cases), I've done many unbelievable things just to keep my agency alive and food on the table. I'm always the last to eat. There were a spell in which I've slept in my car and in my office to make sure my staff got paid First. Still it 's very hard right now and things are tight. I'm more cautious and conservative more now than ever. I'm becoming a 1099 not by choice but by lack of revenue and accountant advice. I'm feeling good about it all inspite of what it looks like because I'm still here making a difference and when I see results I feel blessed to be a part of achieving something needed. I would also like to see if I can get Sponsors (Providers), etc. to help with my Project in which a percentage of the proceeds will go toward helping other Agency Providers and Providers alike in their dry spells and seasons. Music Project-completing an albumn, eventually putting on a show(s), dance, etc. to help raise funds for Providers and consumers in need . Thanks for all you do.

**  COMMENT  **  Resorted to selling items at flea markets, picking up a lot of day jobs, doing a wide variety of things just to bring in money for necessities.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband recently retired and needed to find a part time job to make up for the loss of some of his income. Needless to say, jobs are very hard to come by these days. We are cutting back on what we can and hitting the savings account when all else fails.

**  COMMENT  **  I care for my disabled son and mom. My son gets some help but my mom get nothing . He retirement check is not enough. She requires diapers and help bathing. Diapers cost money and I have to buy them for her. I have not been able to find a job due to health issues my self (stress). It is just too hard. Until the doctor ok 's me getting a job we will have to due with what we have.

**  COMMENT  **  We have cut back in a few areas like travel and entertainment. We had to purchase another vehicle as budget cuts took affect at our employment.

**  COMMENT  **  Medwaiver rate cuts

**  COMMENT  **  One problem is for my daughter. She stopped working two years ago due to health problems. Now she is doing great and ready to go back to work. The problem is now there are not many jobs. The jobs available to those who are handicapped are now being taken by higher functioning, due to job lost. Not only is this hard on her, but hard on us, as we need the added income to survive this economy.

**  COMMENT  **  my husband sells cars and his income has reduced. Have gone without medical care , haven't paid mortgage in two months, electric close to being cut off, same with water. I work in mental health so don't get paid much, not enough to support family alone.

**  COMMENT  **  All the cuts have put great stress on the financial status of my family

**  COMMENT  **  It does not seem to be the easiest to find. It is also very difficult to look for a job and focus on finding one when you cnostantly have projects, demands, and reports that are due. I am keeping my eyes and ears open for a job and am also looking on the computer when I have the time. I am not doing as much as I used to do because there is no money to do it with. Health insurance is the biggest killer of them all.. for one person... OMG...

**  COMMENT  **  There is not a lot of choices at all with the job situation nowadays. Unless you are in the medical field with at least a CNA certificate, good luck. Hardships are not being able to meet the bills, do repairs, eat properly, etc. Too make ends meet there are a lot of sacrifices with health care and basic needs. My concern is that my husband will not be able to earn enough without his sales to make ends meet.

**  COMMENT  **  My son has been laid off twice by two different employers this past year due to business cut backs. He was unemployed 6 months after his first layoff and after working 90 days with the current employer, was told today that they were going to have to let him go because the business is having to do cut backs. I, personally , have had a 25% reduction in pay over the last year.

**  COMMENT  **  We lost our home and now are renting. My husband lost his job and is still looking after 4 months. We are paying Cobra ($1200/mth) for health Insurance as I was dx with cancer two yrs ago and my son who is special needs have necessary medical needs that we would not be ablt to afford without insurance. Yet we can hardly afford the insurance as it is. I am afraid it will get worse before better and only hope we never become homeless and also do not lose insurance meaning we would not get necessary meds. We already compromised necessary interventions for my son-Speech , OT, & behavioral due to lack of funds.

**  COMMENT  **  We have cut our budget down, to afford what we need.

**  COMMENT  **  cut back and out things we do not need..

**  COMMENT  **  While haven't had pay cut in the last year both spouse and I are preparing for a 10% cut announced in the upcoming year.

**  COMMENT  **  This state sucks. Med-waiver is going in reverse and taking advantage of the providers . A large law-suit is needed. People providing the services need to live too. This is a career not just a job. What job is there that there is a risk of getting beat up by the client. We need better benefits and respect. Cost of living goes up and our wages go down.

**  COMMENT  **  My wife suffered through lymphoma last year. The economy affected her job and my job as well with the budget cuts. We struggle to make out monthly obligations.

**  COMMENT  **  We have cut back where we can and we do the best we can at this time. We have hope for the future.

**  COMMENT  **  My daughter, a FL resident and recent FSU graduate will be moving to Texas because she cannot find a job anywhere in FL.

**  COMMENT  **  My savings for retirement have dwindled. I will be working forever .

**  COMMENT  **  We have to go with out the normal things, we are having to cut back . We are late on most payments and it doesnt seem like its getting any better. The kids are suffering .

**  COMMENT  **  I am afraid to spend money incase I lose my job again.

**  COMMENT  **  my husband passed away in 2007, he was disabled, there was NO help for him from your org. or anyone else...just was do you people do to help the disabled.

**  COMMENT  **  cut backs and cut offs are just the start. The horrendous increase in the complexities of getting the paperwork done; work has become process, proceedures, and protocols rather than people helping peole. I am 65,work three jobs to remain in my home of ten years with my 73 yo wife and 23 yo grand daughter.I am $60,000 in credit card debt.

**  COMMENT  **  I used to have a In-Home Job with a disabled person which I had planned to stay with for some time, because of the cuts I lost that job through the company that I worked for.

**  COMMENT  **  My husband works in a high tech field and was in and out of work for 5 years after 911. Financially we're still recovering from the debt we incurred from that. Now, with the recession, he has been laid off and we are hoping to keep the house and utilities going through this.

**  COMMENT  **  Very hard to find a job. My concern is that I will not be able to pay my bills and things are going to get worse.

**  COMMENT  **  Jobs, where are they ??? very hard to find one with a diabled child to take care of .

**  COMMENT  **  The population I serve as a provider has been effected

**  COMMENT  **  I did not receive a raise this year and my bonus was cut.

**  COMMENT  **  I work as a waiver provider as my second job. I lost most of my hours due to rebasing . The individual I was caring for now has to go to work with her mother for part of the day beacuse her funding was reduced and her mother cannot afford to pay out of pocket.

**  COMMENT  **  My son and I are both disabled, and both started receiving SSA last year. I have no health insurance, and accumulating bills since I am not eligible for Medicare until next year. It is a real struggle with the cost of food, gas, doctor bills , prescriptions, etc.

**  COMMENT  **  I'm currently supporting my daugther, her husband and her three children because her husband cannot find a job! Day Labor in Volusia County is only taking the first 4-5 people in line, then the rest get sent "home".

**  COMMENT  **  We have cut back on going out to eat, we now cook at home or share meals with some friends. Check specials, shop locally, cut coupons, buy at second hand stores, brown bag our lunches, eliminated memberships. Not using credit cards by trying to plan ahead (except a dire medical emergency as we currently are unable to afford insurance. We do have a strong family support group and the hope of faith.

**  COMMENT  **  jobs very limited. difficult to find middle income job with benefits...

**  COMMENT  **   It is extemely difficult in Florida due to the budget cuts and my morgage payment the same.

**  COMMENT  **  A possible 5% pay reduction by the state!!!! Our bills are not going down, Thank God we don't have car payments!!!

**  COMMENT  **  My greatest concern is for my friends who have a disability or a family member with a disability. How are they to meet even basic needs without the assistance of a fair and equitable system? How are they to survive without basic medically necessay services under the "new" "TEARS FOR TIERS" system?

**  COMMENT  **  As a family we are trying to cut everything in order to see some extra money for all the utilities we need to pay. So we are looking for free parks, beaches, museums and all cultural activities that we can enjoy to keep my brother who is a special person and my mom who is retired going out and enjoy these activities, if we used to pay to go to the movies we save it to pay cable, going out to eat only if it is some fast food places now. Salaries are not getting any higher but my concern , hope to be wrong, that some agencies and companies do take advantage of this situation to lay off employees who have worked a long time in order to bring new ones with less salary and doing the work of two employees. But i cannot believe that banks at this moment are thinking in giving bonuses to their ceo's when people who worked all his life to have a house are loosing it and these banks are doing nothing or accept nothing. Rarely while i looked for employment found a person who really focused in the interview, their were more busy on their cell phones or talking to co-workers.

**  COMMENT  **  completly flat in business to business the congress on both parties are not trusted ,,,they do not listen to their people they are from their areas. ALso they deal different with their peers per taxes or any other laws that are broken simply both parties are at fault...I am one of many acrross the us that feels this way

**  COMMENT  **  Most of the family income from a Retirement Pension and Social Security Retirement . The employed family member works steady. We haven't had any issues.

**  COMMENT  **  Looking for government sponsored programs and assistance. WIC, Early Learning Coalition , etc.

**  COMMENT  **  spouse laid off loss of all benefits paying COBRA health insurance @ $758/mo

**  COMMENT  **  I am experiencing foreclusure with my home because I was laid off three times within 2007-2008.

**  COMMENT  **  Florida should not take the Federal stimulus funds and turn their attention to revamping our tax structure to reflect the needs of the most vulnerable citizens.

**  COMMENT  **  searching for a job, help from family and friends.

**  COMMENT  **  Residents have been losing their srvices for basics such as disposible briefs and are not able to find certain physicians (ie dermatonlogist or psychiatrist without traveling in excess of 300 miles for medicaid.

**  COMMENT  **  working a second job, trying to keep my head above water.

**  COMMENT  **  cut back on going out

**  COMMENT  **  Facing a potential loss of 5% of my income as a state worker is better than being laid off, but will prevent me from being able to pay bills, which have been hard enough to pay already!

**  COMMENT  **  I lost my job four years ago in Orlando and it took me six months to find another job in Tallahassee. It my husband two years to find a job in Tallahassee and join the rest of the family here. Me and my husband both had to take cuts in pay in order to obtain jobs in Tallahassee, even though we both have 20+ years of experience in our fields and both were and still are state of Florida employees.

**  COMMENT  **  Facing a possible lay off. Applying for many positions but not getting calls back and upon follow ups finding the position already filled as 500+ applicants is the going response rate for one job posting.

**  COMMENT  **  I am really not representative of any Florida family. I know that the economy is affecting millions of Floridian with disabilities.

**  COMMENT  **  I AM A MED-WAIVER PROVIDER FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA NO PAY CUTS OR HOURS REDUCT

**  COMMENT  **  My daughter and son-in-law have moved in with me since both of them lost their jobs the same day in Michigan.

**  COMMENT  **  unemployment varies state to state and regionally.

**  COMMENT  **  harder to get a loan for bills consolidation

**  COMMENT  **  My disabled son lives with a staff person @ another address. But. the funding he gets does not cover all of his expenses. My husband and I pay at least 1/4 of his living expenses. Sometimes it is more than a forth. Without us he could not live in his own place.

**  COMMENT  **  Job loss was due to having to care for disabled person. Unable to obtain services in order to work.

**  COMMENT  **  I am an ASD teacher in Pinellas county. In order to make ends meet I wiork 3 jobs . I tuor an ASD student in the afternoon and I do respite care nights and weekends ! I used to have some money @$300 a month left over to get my car fixed or do repairs around the house. Now I have NOTHING left, maybe $50! My electricity has just gone up 25%, our water just went up $14 a bill, food went up, even the price of the newspaper went up $50 a year to renew. We didn't get a raise this year and now they say no for the next 3 years. I am so afraid that something will break in the house or car. I now am down to $210 in my savings. If I'm not hired for a summer position I could not be able to pay my bills this summer. I live paycheck to pay check and I have a Master's degree!!

**  COMMENT  **  Cutting expenses and doing more comparative shopping before making a purchase, using coupons, and other ways to save money. My husband owns a small business and there are several weeks where he has not been able to pay himself over the past year.

**  COMMENT  **  my significant other has been looking for trucking jobs in the area,but keeps hearing that once the economy picks up they will be hiring.He has been doing scrap metaling (hauling and selling)but the prices feel so low that it cost us money.

**  COMMENT  **  Im part of a single head of household, and I take care of my disabled daughter. Since becoming unemployed in July, AND the c uts that went into effect to the Med -Waiver program. Even if I did get a job, Med waiver hasnt left my daughter with enough resources, services (or Service Dollars) to properly care for her OR keep her safe. Experiances finding a job...I have done the same thing for 24 years . But there are more (young and old) out there looking and most employers out there are taking full advantage. At one time my skills were worth $16-$17.00 an hour, and now Im being offered $11.00 At this point, I am out of savings , and the future for BOTH of us (My Daughter and Me)looks Bleak and Dark 5 years ago were on top of the world, I was working, Med Waiver supplied the neccesities as was their responsibility . Now I dont Feel that way, and Im starting to wonder if I ever will again. How do we make ends meet? I work day jobs when I can, an I no longer answer the phone . My daughter never goes without, I DO Thats my responsibility

**  COMMENT  **  Due to pay cuts and a job loss, we have had to sell our house and move to a smaller , less expensive place. We hesitate to seek medical assistance that we know is unaffordable to us. Particularily for a hearing loss. We have had to resort to assistance from the food bank at our church, as well as growing whatever foods we can. We are concerned with the Social Security problem, for this is basically all the income we have at the present time.

**  COMMENT  **  it was my son who lost his job but he lives with me and he was paying me like he was living in an apartment. He has a stable job now, but we are only making ends meet at this time.

**  COMMENT  **  Although my handicapped (since birth) daughter is 14yo, we only just received Medicaid when she turned 11. So, in that aspect at least now her medical bills are covered . Before we had enormous medical debt. Although we have both suffered a reduction in pay and hours, at least her medical is covered and not looming over our heads .

**  COMMENT  **  We are loosing our Home in regards to this Hardships. Thanks

**  COMMENT  **  not buying big ticket items, no major improvements to our home, less eating or going out. We also are more conscience of turning off lights, reducing time on telephone with long distance calls, and using less expensive services, i.e. cable.

**  COMMENT  **  Working longer hours making less money. Living week to week with no savings

**  COMMENT  **  Despite the difficult changes in the economy, I believe there are job opportunities for those of us who are willing to work hard, apply ourselves and invest in our own education and skills developement. People who wait for the government to bail them out will fail. Self initiative and drive are "enablers" for survival.

**  COMMENT  **  The jobs in Florida are not easy to find. My husband had a cut in pay and a cut in hours. He was working 60 hours a week at $12.00 an hour and now is working 40 hours at 10.00 an hour. I was working 5 days a week and now I work 4 days a week. I have not paid my mortgage in 2 months and my husbands vehicle in 2 months .

**  COMMENT  **  Social Security is getting many cutbacks.

**  COMMENT  **  My 89 year old mother lives with me and my husband and 2 children. My mentally challenged sister lives with us also. Mom did help care for my 59 year old sister but mom' s health is failing and I need back surgery. Finances are getting terrible and Mom was always able to provide extras for my sister in the past. We are cutting down wherever we can so that Lois is still able to participate in her school "Special Populations" and evening social activities but both have a significant fee and help would be wonderful.

**  COMMENT  **  Living within a budget....something our politicians can't seem to do.

**  COMMENT  **  WE are among the fortunate few.

**  COMMENT  **  My mother helped save us from losing our home so far. I cannot work due to a total care special needs six year old. He requires full-time attention. We do not want to place him with the state.

**  COMMENT  **  We are basically retired. Our son, age 52, attends the local ARC workshop. Without those services he would be sitting home. Respite care is a great help to us.

**  COMMENT  **  Jobs are hard to find in Florida. Especially one that pays above minimum wages. It is very hard if you are disabled.

**  COMMENT  **  working with no benifits is a great concern our job does not offer benifits, paid time off, sick time, or holiday pay so if we don't work we don't get paid! this like eveyone else is a serious concern.

**  COMMENT  **  The construction has nose dived and this is has effected my husbands small business and it is becoming apparent that we as a family will be acquiring significant debt in order to downsize a company that is 100% construction.

**  COMMENT  **  still collecting unimployment. have not had work. had to cut back use up saved money to pay bills. hoping my daughtersbudget wont be cut, she needs to go to arc 5 days a week. have given up respite and offered to do without some supplies she gets for her care.

**  COMMENT  **  This has been a difficult year for providers (for everyone else too!) We are worried what the future will bring for providers! Therefore the clients and their families !

**  COMMENT  **  getting creastive, doing anything we can to make ends meet.

**  COMMENT  **  Currently, I have three jobs.

**  COMMENT  **  We have rental property which we have had trouble keeping rented and the management copany handling it keeps putting more money into the property so we are oweing them.

**  COMMENT  **  I have learned to cut back, no health insurance since last October, don't go many places.

**  COMMENT  **  Just live one day at a time and pray that the Lord will provide for the following day. The job market is very competitive and one hundred persons will apply for five jobs. It is very hard only the strong can survive

**  COMMENT  **   I work two jobs, one as an independent provider and multiple pay cuts last year and also retail and I have experienced a large reduction in hours even over the holidays. I have had to cut out all extras and barely paying for necessities and business expenses.

**  COMMENT  **  Our "total care" son has had Medicaid Waiver funding severely cut in 2008 He retains only his Speech Therapist & his Personal Care Assistant; all other services & all supplies now provided by the household. Both parents should be retired, but one feels compelled to continue working in these uncertain times. Sure we at least have one job but one younger person who also needs that job is out of luck.

**  COMMENT  **  Last May my husband lost his job. We were VERY fortunate that he found a job with in three weks. Unfortunately as much as he loves and enjoys this job, he now makes in one month what he used to make in two weeks. We have three teenage children , one of which is a senior in highschool and all the things come with bein a senior , pictures, graduation etc., Then last year they starting cutting med wavier pay about a dollar an hour per client. Last month one of my clients was cut from 60 hours a month to 44 hours a month. I am thankful for both of my jobs and for my husbands job. It is just very hard to make ends meet when you have a (what you think is a good secure job) and your bills are for that amount of pay and then your spouse's pay is cut in half and then your pay is cut, then hours are cut.

**  COMMENT  **  My concerns are not about myself but about the developmentally disabled, the educational teachers, and the elderly. My concerns are about all the money being put in the wrong places, The millions and billions that are being given to the already rich . My concerns are about our freedom to worship God being taken away from us...Thank You

**  COMMENT  **  My handicapped daughter who was working two jobs and lost both because of the economy has been having a hard time finding anything to replace them. Even though my Daughter is on the Medicaid Waiver waiting list, APD is providing "supported employment" job hunting support for her job search when FL's VocRehab wouldn't. That has been positive.

**  COMMENT  **  We are retired and are waiting for our daughter to receive med waiver benefits... even the lowerst tier would help. We are currently paying $600 per month for her day training program...ouch!!!

**  COMMENT  **  As a state employee, there is the possibility that my hours will be cut resulting in a reduction of pay. My other concern is that due to the economy, providers have been shutting down or eliminating services that I need in order to continue working. I current have someone stay with my elderly sister during work hours for safety reasons. Within the past 14 months, we have had two break-ins while we have been in the house asleep which in my mind, puts her at risk if she is home alone. Without these services, I will be forced to quit my job in order to be with her so that she is safe. My job as a guardian is to ensure her safety and well being. If I do quit or lose my job to accomplish this, I will be forced to go on food stamps and welfare costing the tax payers four times more then if I' m able (AND WILLING) to care for my sister as I am currently doing and have been for 8 1/2 years now.

**  COMMENT  **  Doing the only thing I can cut back on making full payments on utilities and rent . My son is outgrowing his clothes and we just make do by releasing his hem on his clothing and talking about how things will get better. This has been the worst part, he is going through puberty and is disabled. Now try havign him understand why it is even harder for him to be like the rest. I just pray to God and ask him to give us the strength to keep it together as long as we can.

**  COMMENT  **  Services for my 31 year old son are hard to come by since moving to FL. We are on a wait list for the next 3 years or more for themed-waiver. Is there anything we can do?

**  COMMENT  **  My teenagers cannot find jobs because unemployed adults are now taking those positions . I cannot afford to provide them with additional assistance especially right before college... they can't provide it for themselves due to no jobs either.

**  COMMENT  **  There are no jobs for disabled citizens and no jobs for regular citizens. Even the state wants us to work for less than minium wage, and provide gas and transportation for our clients. The transportation people make lots of money but we are expected to provide car and gas all for one money and that puts us working for peanuts or nothing. Then if the client is not working they have no money for treats or eats after or between doctors office visits. Guess who pays? The girl doing a coaches job on companion pay Pays.

**  COMMENT  **  I am a widowed, single wage owner and a homeowner. my home upkeep and the cost of basic necessities, food, gas, insurance has eroded my buying power astronomically , I am declining financially and living paycheck to paycheck. I can no longer afford to be a homeowner and will have to downsize and sellout in the forseeable future . I am in a downward slope financially. I need relief from RE taxes,and homeowners insurance. Need lower interest rate on mortgage which will help.

**  COMMENT  **  Spouse was laid off.

**  COMMENT  **  My small business experienced a 30% reduction in gross last year. I'll go out of business if this continues.

**  COMMENT  **  In order to make ends meet: My family is purchasing the basic necessities at the supermarket; cut back on eating out at restaurants; cancel our vacation; posepone our home improvement projects; and taking on additional task and working longer hours at our place of business.

**  COMMENT  **  We are being very careful and not going out to eat as much. Not driving as much planning our trips better. We are not spending any money that is not very necessary .

**  COMMENT  **  I am working 3 jobs to survive.

**  COMMENT  **  taking any work offered my way...cut in pay has forced us to do without basic household needs. going backwards has taken a toll on our family unit.

**  COMMENT  **  I have concerns for the apparent restrictions in available jobs and the reduction of employed individuals within our local labor market. It has affected employees working part-time supported positions and they are being let go with no other competitive employment opportunities available in our area.

**  COMMENT  **  We have stopped eating out,paid off our credit card and stopped using it ( unless an emergency arises.) We have increased our payment to the mortgage to pay it off sooner. We are doing more as a family, crafts, biking, walking and swimmning in our own pool when the weather allows. Also, we have planted a garden of vegetables , and our autistic son Jacob, 8 yrs. old helped by digging the hole and putting the seeds in ( with Dad's supervision) We can't wait till it comes up! Sincerely , M

**  COMMENT  **  cutting way back on groceries and fast food. canceling appointments to save on gas , replaced bulbs in our home to flourescent to save on electricity, trying to keep air conditioner off

**  COMMENT  **  cleaning houses on the side to make ends meet. Suffered a big cut in pay and lost clients.

**  COMMENT  **  Have loss weekly hrs due to the tier and rebasing. Have had to increase work load to try to supplement the difference. I am aging myself and find it difficult to work 6 days a week. I don't think the Legislators realize we are self employed and have to pay self-employment tax and medical insurance ourselves. Just not worth it....

**  COMMENT  **  I have had a pay cut but it was due to me transferring jobs and going from full time to part time

**  COMMENT  **  I just wish businesses would start hiring again. It's the old chicken and egg thing . People need to start spending for jobs to open up and people need jobs to be able to spend.

**  COMMENT  **  I take ONE day at time with the Good Lord helping

**  COMMENT  **  My husband and I both worked with disabled adults, as Supported Livng Coaches. Our clients lost services and monies and we lost hours and monies....then we started losing clients who had been cut off from much needed assistance. This turned into both of us getting laid off on the same day. We lost our home due to the first set of many pay cuts, then we lost our trailer when we were laid off. We are now lucky enough to be living with family. This state did our clients and many of us such an injustice, as these people needed our help and we were some of the few people who do not recognize disabilities and made our clients feel loved.

**  COMMENT  **  I am a single mother with a challenged son. My job has cut back my pay, my 401k is no longer being matched, I am doing the best I can with buying less food and actually eating tv dinners that cost 88 cents each. My concerns are that if I lose my job, I don't know how I will be able to pay rent, car,auto ins, food and utilities on unemployment benefits. I pray alot for only God knows !!

**  COMMENT  **  I work for an agency that provides guardianship services to people who have lost the capacity to make decisions for themselves. Between the Medicaic and Med. Waiver cut backs I am very concerned about these individuals who are supported totally by the States system of benefits. Services are already impacted by cut backs and layoffs.

**  COMMENT  **  Fortunately, my family has been blessed and have not had to encounter job loss. However, due to the increases in the cost of living, e.g. prices for food, there have been sacrifices made to accommodate the stagnant income without a cost of living adjustment of any kind.

**  COMMENT  **  signficant other is no longer employed (he is also disabled but did work full time , my job is cut is half. We worry & do without.

**  COMMENT  **  We have been very fortunate, but things have been very tight financially. Makes it more difficult to get some of the services that our daughter that has a disability needs.

**  COMMENT  **  selling things (car, truck etc.)

**  COMMENT  **  I'm a small business owner who like many others sufferred cuts in July 08, I provide services on the medwaiver and those few dollars that were lost per consumer added up greatly.i am unable to give raises to those providing hands on care to our consumers and am unable to do the "little extras" I would for my workers and consumers.

**  COMMENT  **  WE ARE EXPERIENCING VERY DIFFICULT TIMES, ME AND MY HUSBAND CARE FOR OUR 10 YEAR OLD SON WITH CEREBRAL PALSY WHO IS COMPLETELY RELIANT ON US FOR ALL NEEDS AND WE TAKE CARE OF MY 80 YEAR OLD MOTHER. MY HUSBAND LOST HIS JOB AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN NAPLES HAS DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY. WE APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS , CASH, ASSISTANCE AND WERE DENIED FOR ALL BECAUSE WE OWN A HOME.

**  COMMENT  **  We went out of business after 17 yrs. in Feb. We put all our savings and retirement into it but still could not keep it going. Husband had heart attack in Oct.'08 I am thankful I still have a job, but with all the state cuts it's not looking good.

Total Open-Ended Responses: 202

(*Mostly) Unedited

* Last names and other identifiying information removed. Also, some vulgar language removed.

Back To Top of Page