How to find a low skilled labor job for my dad who has had a stroke

[Emergo]

Hi all,

I'm looking to ask for help on ideas on how I should look for a job for my dad. He does not live with me, he lives with a family friend. This is in Houston TX. He is 58 years old. I am paying his rent of  $400.  He had a stroke six months ago. He is able to walk now, and is probably at 80%. I don't think he is all there as much as motor functions go. Very recently, I bought him a $1000 van, and he wrecked it a week later. Luckily he is uninjured. I don't think he can drive to work. So today I went to 20 stores near his current home to see what jobs I can get. These are intentionally near his current home so that he may just walk to work and not drive because I'm not sure he's able to drive safely. His situation is bad because he was not the sharpest tool, has little to no education, worked as security for most of his life, maybe some time as a butcher. His stroke stripped him of his communication skills, or whatever he had before. It's hard to apply for him for disability benefits because his work history prior to his stroke seems like it was under the table. After his stroke, he never got proper therapy. It's a miracle that he is the way he is now because he couldn't walk or stand on his own when he was released from the hospital. I'm shit out of luck, aren't I? I'm bleeding financially, it's like taking care of a child but probably worse. Also, he's back to smoking again which I read on the internet will make it 9x likely he will die. He sounds like a very stubborn individual, and I won't deny this. But I cannot have it on my conscious to leave him off to the streets. Because at this rate, that is how this is going to end up.

[frugaldrummer]

First of all, have you looked into everything he might qualify for? If his employment was under the table he won't get SDI but will he qualify for SSI ? Food stamps? Any other support for the indigent?
Also does he get Medicaid in Texas? If not, you might consider whether he would be better off in a state that had expanded Medicaid. (In some states single adults don't qualify no matter how low their income. In California they qualify if income is less than about $17,500. ).

[Mrs Brightside]

Sorry to hear about your dad's health. Are you sure he doesn't have any work history at all? One work credit means you earned like $1300 in 2019, probably less in the past. Especially for older people that are unlikely to be able to adapt to new jobs I don't think it takes as much to qualify. And there are some kinds of disability like SSI that don't require work history. Maybe you can find a social security disability lawyer who would give you a free consultation to help you understand the chances of qualifying? Or is there a social worker connected to his hospital that could help you find some help for him?

[Frankies Girl]

Goodwills are hiring all over the city. He can sort things, hang things up, etc... and they will hire those that are in need or physically challenged. In some cases he could even work in the back sorting and not have to talk to the customers or work with money or anything. I'm pretty sure they start at least $10/hour too, and could even have benefits.

Could also check with local area churches (especially if he attends a church).

You REALLY need to check for medicaid resources tho. I know Texas did not expand benefits, but he is disabled and likely could get benefits/help from the state if certified:
Texas Health and Human Services
https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability
https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/long-term-care-people-medical-or-physical-disabilities

The only reason someone would end up living on the street is if they didn't want help or didn't know how to apply for it. It's there, and it can help him.

[Freedomin5]

You may also want to consider applying to be his guardian. Not the sharpest tool...no education...choosing to spend what little he has on smokes...I’m not sure even if you found him a job that he would be able to manage his money wisely.