Nikki panhandles near Dupont Circle, DC (Photo: R. Sandridge)
Nikki has been homeless off an on for the past 20 years. She is 55 and says she suffers from various health complications stemming from some aneurysms that she has had. She sits on the cold concrete ground, rocking back and forth, and never looking at me in the eye. The emotion in her face has been completely drained. She maintains that cool steady expression during the entire time that we speak.
I asked her what she planned on doing with the $10 and she said that she would probably use $5 for food and the other $5 to put on her Metro SmarTrip card.
Nikki says that people can stop by and say hello to her. She is in/around the Dupont Circle most weekdays. Also, she could use some help from somebody who understands Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). She has been denied benefits and says that her case manager is not very helpful in getting the issue resolved. So if anyone has some knowledge about this and is willing to share with Nikki, please let me know.
I taped a little video with Nikki which you can see here:
Year of Giving 
A touching discussion you have had with her. So many people need help and unable to get it… Bless her. I agree with her. It can happen to any of us… It’s true. She sounds very intelligent… Thanks for sharing. Blessings Nikki!
Nikki should consider contacting the Bread for the City – Legal Clinic (http://www.breadforthecity.org/Page.aspx?pid=206). The NW Center (1525 Seventh Street, NW) accepts walk-ins from 1-3pm on Mondays and appointments (call 202.265.2400) on other days.
Thanks! I also heard from someone from Bread for the City some time back…I have not seen Nikki since then but was going to recommend that to her as well! Thanks again!
Sorry to say, quite likely Nikki does not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. Like most insurance, you have to have paid into it to use the benefit. I hope she has found help through the local programs.
Hi, i am not sure how it works in DC but i am guessing the same with disability.(I am in NY) There is SSI and SSD, they also told me i didn’t have enough work credits to get it, BUT i was persistent and i did. All you need is medical proof and don’t take NO for an answer, they deny everyone, they do it to discourage people and once they deny you keep going, DON’T reapply again just keep going foward, if that means going to court then go to court. People seem to think that once they are denied they have to reapply again and do the whole entire process over, that isn’t true. I have heard about people reappling as much as 3 or so times until they did get it. But that is too time consuming and every minute, every day could be a risk on your life.
Though, if you wait a certain amount of time (can’t recall how long they give you) you then have to reapply and do the whole process again. And if that is the case then she needs to just reapply and stick with it this time. I hope she gets the help she needs.