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 Our older Americans, who live on fixed incomes and are living only on their Social Security benefits and perhaps a small savings, if lucky enough to have one, can no longer survive on this as they once were able too. With the rising cost of living which has affected the cost of food, rent, utilities, and gas, it's a wonder how those on a fix income are surviving in this spiraling economic crisis. The benefits for those on Social Security remain the same as they were when original received years ago and there is no help or financial compensation provided to individuals to help with the continual rising costs.A 70 year old woman who before was able to manage all her financial obligations, as well as buy food and gas on the money received from her Social Security benefits. As of 2006, she found with increasing prices she could no longer do this and she isn't the only American faced with this stark reality and asking themselves, "What am I going to do?". She needed help, so she went to the local Food Bank and was turned away being told that they already have to many people. She checks back every month and she's been told that the program still has a moratorium on new clients. Now she has to use her emergency savings to buy food. The only other help for our older population would have to come from relatives or lining up at the Food Banks or Soup Kitchens for the first time in their life or having to go to bed hungry. Hard decisions have to be made and a recent poll shows that 30% of the older population is already cutting back on food and medicine, making sure the first thing paid is their rent or mortgage. No one wants to be faced with the prospect of losing his or her home or being evicted and homeless. The retired Americans how are they expected to survive and have our government officials thought about this? How will our government resolve or at least make steps toward helping the increasing number of people living below the poverty level? As our economy progressively gets worse, these numbers will continue to grow and services need to be put in place now and not later.
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