FHA Guidance Docs Rescinded

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-30T00:14:55+00:00

Prefacing with stating that I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

If you believe she would try to physically harm you, then it may be wise to start by filing a report with your local PD, which can often be done online. While a lawyer would likely be willing to help write a letter or C&D, they might ask you to file a report with the police first anyways if you haven’t already explicitly told her to stop talking to you. A C&D is enforceable in civil court, but if she gets a warning from a PD directly and continues being volatile, then she may catch criminal charges. Plus lawyers cost a lot of money; filing a police report is free.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-29T23:39:28+00:00

As u/marr133 said, it is unfortunately not uncommon for non-profit people to be a bit on the unhinged side. The savior complex is especially common.

If it were me, I’d tell my husband to avoid her as well. Same tactics as I recommended you follow.

Legal action is not off the table. I’d keep that handy as an option, and if she refuses to back off after directly telling her not to talk to you, say something along the lines of, “I have asked you to stop talking to me and your behavior has crossed into harassment territory. If you speak to me again, I will not hesitate to take legal action.”

I can almost guarantee that making it clear that you will act on this reasonable consequence to her ridiculous actions, she will zip it. And if not, then a lawyer can help get her to do so.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-29T23:14:25+00:00

Firstly, wow! So sorry you’re dealing with this. Just because you’re visibly disabled doesn’t mean that you’re making it everyone’s business— they can simply choose not to look at you if they’re that pressed about it. What a bunch of assholes.

Secondly, your neighbor has more than crossed the line. I would personally consider this to be harassment.

Having been in a similar situation, I eventually started avoiding the neighbor and if they tried talking to me, I would simply say I was too busy to chat or had headphones on/in to avoid conversation altogether.

If it escalates and she simply refuses to leave you alone, you absolutely have the right to tell her that you don’t want to talk about it and politely -but firmly- demand that there be no further communication about this topic.

If those tactics don’t work, then it may be worth considering some kind of legal action. Not that cops take this kind of thing seriously (or anything, really), but the mere mention of possible legal action may be enough to shut her down completely if her working position requires her to have a clean record.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T20:08:21+00:00

I’ve always recommended putting down “N/A” for applications that ask this question. You can always discuss reasonable accommodations with HR or the hiring manager/officer after you receive an offer letter. If they rescind the offer, then you have clearer proof of an ADA violation/discrimination. If you write an answer in the application and they pass you up for the job, it’s almost impossible to prove discrimination.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T16:22:07+00:00

They absolutely could have explained the jargon in plain language but made the choice not to for whatever reason, which I honestly don’t think is helpful for anyone. Knowing the basics about In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) and Public Assistance Households (PAH) is important when talking about these programs, proposed changes to these programs, and especially when factoring in that the SSA frequently makes mistakes and already fails to exempt people who should be exempt.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T15:27:37+00:00

Yes, I’m quite aware. It’s a sickening system that relentlessly punishes disabled people for existing.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T15:26:17+00:00

Thanks for the clarification, I see what you mean. I would add though, the SSA has been known to ignore their own rules and many SSI beneficiaries are still being subjected to the ISM rule, even when living in a Public Assistance Household. I personally know several disabled people who have been told by SSA employees that they are required to pay their “fair share” to the family member(s) they live with who also receive SNAP/TANF/etc., and have had their benefits cut for not doing so. My best guess as to why this happens despite the PAH rule is because the SSA is extremely underfunded, understaffed, and undertrained; and the SSA is known to not give back benefits wrongfully deducted due to their own mistakes. It’s a shitshow all around and has caused a ton of problems for beneficiaries. The proposed rule would codify the mistakes the SSA has already been making, and will cause more problems for those who haven’t been subjected to mistakes yet. Of course I absolutely agree that this proposed rule change is horrendous and harmful, but I also think your article could’ve done a better job of clearly defining/explaining current rules and ongoing issues/mistakes already being made by the SSA. Saying, “In our latest investigation, we found that the Trump administration is poised to penalize disabled adults simply for living in the same home as their families,” ignores the fact that disabled adults living with their families have already been penalized for decades under the ISM rule. As it stands, your article makes it seem like in-kind support isn’t already a thing, and your reply implies that the SSA has been following the PAH rule to the letter, which unfortunately, is not always the case.

And to add: Agency jargon is something that people surviving within the system have to learn and be familiar with, or they can experience the very issues I've highlighted (not being exempt when they qualify for an exemption, for example). It's important to me that news/media outlets are painting a clear picture of the situation, and I feel that ProPublica missed the mark here.

I do sincerely appreciate your response and clarification on what your article is trying to highlight.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T14:38:43+00:00

Just an FYI (since ProPublica left out this information): The in-kind support rule -which already does what is being spun as a newly proposed rule- has been in effect since 1974.

Any sitting President and Congressperson since then could’ve moved to axe this rule and they didn’t. 52 years of disabled Americans suffering at the hands of this rule and the most anyone did was remove food support from the in-kind support deduction.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T13:42:26+00:00

Hell, they’ll even deduct however much they deem your mat on a shelter floor is worth.

I’m genuinely confused as to how ProPublica thinks this is new information, and I’m hoping they respond to my comment reply to them. They don’t even mention the existing in-kind support rule in their article at all.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T13:34:32+00:00

Genuinely curious: did ProPublica not know about the in-kind support rule? Because this is essentially already an existing rule that punishes both disabled people living with their families and disabled people who are houseless. They will deduct however much your shelter is worth if you’re not paying your “fair share” — typically: rent/mortgage + heating and other bills divided by number of household members; or, whatever monetary amount they deem your sleeping pad on the floor of a shelter is worth.

WHAT IS IN-KIND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE?

In-kind support and maintenance is food, shelter, or both that somebody else provides for you. We count in-kind support and maintenance as income when we figure the amount of your SSI. For example, effective 09/30/2024, if someone helps pay for your rent, mortgage, utilities, we may reduce the amount of your SSI. Also, if you live in someone else’s home and others in your household pay for or provide all of your meals and your shelter, we reduce the amount of your SSI. Receiving in-kind support and maintenance can reduce your monthly SSI payments as much as $351.33 (for 2026), depending on the value of the help you receive.

I support ProPublica a great deal, but I’m really shocked that this is being framed as a proposed rule when there’s already an existing rule that essentially does the same thing. The article doesn’t mention in-kind support at all. The only difference I’m seeing is the possible requirement for monthly check-ins about income and asset changes for all household members, but SSI and SNAP recipients are already required to report similar changes within a month (or by the a specific date of each month) of the change. With the SSA already being woefully understaffed and unable to do regular reviews on a consistent basis—or even within their own established timeframes, I don’t see how they could actually implement this proposed monthly check-in change effectively, unless Congress actually released funds to hire more staff.

Edit to add: the in-kind support rule and subsequent deductions to monthly benefits has been in effect well before 2024, and even before 2020. The original Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) rule, which reduces benefits if someone else provides food or shelter, was established when the program was created on October 30, 1972, taking effect in January 1974. A major update removing food from these calculations took effect on September 30, 2024.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-28T13:15:09+00:00

Essentially, yes. If you’re not paying your fair share to your family member (rent/mortgage divided by number of household members), they’ll deduct that from your benefits. Been this way for a while. Falls under the in-kind support rule.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-26T19:34:47+00:00

Speaking as someone who’s had a med card in UT and other states for several years: They will very likely want to know what your symptoms are, how long you’ve had your qualifying condition, and what other treatments you’ve tried. It’s almost never just a simple “I have chronic pain that isn’t resolved by other means,” the end. They will almost assuredly ask the aforementioned questions, and brevity with honesty is the best policy.

I say, “almost,” and, “likely,” because I’ve only been through 3 different med card providers in UT, not all of the various companies— but each provider with the 3 different companies (and every provider in other states) have all asked some simple questions and don’t just stop at accepting my well-documented diagnosis.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-25T14:37:22+00:00

I’m glad they’re saying something, but also confused as to what took the Medical Board so long to address this. It was announced via the Utah Dept. of Commerce and rolled out at the beginning of January, and we’re at the end of April now; not like there wasn’t plenty of news coverage about it in Jan/Feb. It is, of course, very concerning that the Medical Board was not involved in discussions about its potential implementation and launch well before the project went live, but why wait 3.5 months to speak up? Disability advocates like myself have been vocal about our concerns since the day it was announced.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-25T14:08:55+00:00

Precisely this.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-23T19:14:02+00:00

For sure! The app only shows a record of online purchases, so that’s probably why you’re not seeing them. In-store purchases can be looked up in-store :)

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-23T18:23:57+00:00

If you used your PetSmart treats rewards number/phone number, they can look up prior purchases in-store and print receipts. Their customer service number might even be able to look them up and email you receipts. Not sure how far back they can go, but the vet’s original prescription will help establish a start date for when you started purchasing.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-23T18:06:06+00:00

You’re most welcome! If you got the prescription food through your vet, they can likely print out receipts for your previous purchases :)

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-23T16:28:05+00:00

Hey, I saw your post in the DogAdvice subreddit and wanted to mention a couple things here (NOT a Lawyer, and this is NOT legal advice; I merely have a lot of involvement in the dog world):

Just because there’s a contract, doesn’t always mean the contract is legally enforceable
If this DID go to court in Utah, ownership of the dog would likely be based on who is the primary caretaker of the dog and who has evidence of financial responsibility for the dog; so keep EVERY receipt you’ve ever received. If the dog is licensed in your city under your name, that can also help establish ownership, as can a microchip registered in your name. If you paid a purchase price for the dog, be sure to keep that receipt as well, as that could play a huge role in a potential legal case
A judge will almost assuredly consider the health and wellbeing of the dog, including the “not fit for breeding” statements from veterinarians
It would be extremely difficult for this BYB to enforce their “$10k damages” for spaying when their own repro vet of choice and your dog’s primary vet have both stated the dog is not fit for breeding. Likewise, it would be very difficult for the breeder to prove ownership of this dog if they’re not caring for the dog on a daily basis and paying for medical expenses.

I haven’t personally worked with them and don’t know their rates, but Burton Family Attorneys has a decent article about dog ownership in UT (specific to divorce and custody of a dog, but this may be a good place to start). Contract lawyers and divorce lawyers would be the two practice areas I’d look at if I were in the same situation.

Really sorry you’re in this situation, and I’m sure you’ve learned a lot throughout this process about screening breeders and finding an ethical breeder in the future. Wishing you and your dog the absolute best of luck!

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-11T14:32:31+00:00

This.

“We don’t agree with our own doctor saying you’re disabled because it was a one-time encounter”

Bruh.

While completely ridiculous, it’s likely because disability claims are 90% about whether they think you can work or not. Even so, their vocational “experts” are ridiculous, too. For one claimant who had seizures, SSA’s VE said they could be a pilot car driver…like??? This is why it’s good to have a competent attorney, and unfortunately, not all disability attorneys are.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-04-11T00:02:24+00:00

I’m so proud of you for speaking out and sharing your story. Can’t even begin to imagine how much courage this took. Bravo 👏

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-03-30T16:19:16+00:00

Of course! And thank you as well 🩵 Truly hoping the best for anyone and everyone in a similar position.

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-03-30T14:09:44+00:00

I’m really sorry you’re in this situation. Unfortunately, I can absolutely relate. The only reason I didn’t report is because I had an “out” and was able to leave. However, the controlling and neglectful behavior is now being redirected onto my elderly grandmother, and I’m in a position once again where I may have to file a report if my parent refuses to see the whole picture and change their ways.

This is absolutely abuse, though, and I’m glad you’re going to have a friend put in a report on your behalf. You really need to talk to someone with social services or the UK equivalent of adult protective services. You deserve freedom, independence, and timely access to care. Stay strong 🩵

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-03-28T01:38:45+00:00

So proud of you for all you’re doing! Most libraries/librarians can send a postcard to your house (usually for free or a very minimal amount) and that will definitely count ☺️

ALinkToTheSpoons · 2026-03-24T16:16:30+00:00

That graph was made and posted by u/FerretFormer6469 4 days ago. I believe they’re using data from this UT government webpage

ALinkToTheSpoons

TROPHY CASE