Out in the cold: Washington shows drug addicts the door.

• Author: Conklin, Melanie
• Position: Impacts of federal welfare reform - Cover Story

In December, Edgar Lee received his last Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check. His SSI benefits used to provide an income of $470 a month plus food stamps. But under federal law he's not eligible anymore because a narcotics addiction contributes to his inability to work. Since Lee was cut off, he had to move out of his apartment and take up residence on the streets. He now sleeps in a homeless shelter that the city of Madison. Wisconsin. says is at more than triple capacity.

"It took me eighteen months to get on SSI," says Lee, who received his first check in 1993. "I applied for disability because of my health, but I put down that I had a drug and alcohol problem also. It doesn't seem fair to be punished for that."

In a small office at a homeless men's drop-in shelter, the fifty-three-year-old Lee rests his hands on the cane he uses to get around because of degenerative arthritis in his hip.

He explains why he left the Chicago projects in search of a better life. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Lee ran up a long criminal record, went through several unsuccessful rehabilitation attempts using methadone, and only sporadically held legal jobs.

But recently, he says, he successfully got himself off drugs. So he appealed the suspension of his SSI, but lost because authorities say his arthritis doesn't preclude all forms of work. Now, he says, he'll try to get jobs at McDonald's or a car wash.

"It would be really beneficial if I could find some employment," says Lee. "I'm going to stay here until I exhaust my avenues. But I may have to go back to Illinois and pursue, well, you know, the criminal things I did before. I want to survive."

Lee is one of 196,698 people nationwide who, because of the law that went into effect on January 1, stand to lose their SSI benefits. That figure includes roughly 40,000 who have lost Social Security disability benefits that were tied to an alcohol or drug disability.

These cuts, passed on March 29, 1996, were part of the Contract with America. Republicans argued that SSI checks were fueling addictions. Advocates for the cuts also looked forward to a $300 million savings.

Lee and others received notice last June that in order to retain their benefits they would have to ask for a "redetermination" and prove that they have another disability that prevents them from working. So far, 135,000 people have filed appeals. The government granted 53,000 and denied 52,000, according to Social Security Administration spokesperson Tom Margenau. Another 30,000 appeals are still pending.

Donn Lind works for Legal Action, which provides services to low-income clients in southern...