OK, I Can (Barely) Survive. Now What?
It is the bare minimum required to survive in the United States. No, it's not comfortable. No, it's not easy. BUT IT WILL GET EASIER. You can survive, and beat, homelessness. You can even make it somewhat comfortable if you have to do it for the long haul. Just because you're homeless doesn't mean you have to be miserable.
Key tip: A few layers of cardboard underneath (or inside) your tent will help keep your body insulated from that cold ground or concrete. It's also just a little softer. And, in extreme cold, you can actually make a cardboard "envelope" to sleep in. I managed a few nights with just that and nothing else in -5°F weather.
And now the work begins...
Identification is key. You cannot do anything without an ID or Social Security card. This is one of a few times Social Services comes in handy. If you don't have these documents, find your local social services office (or cal 211). Birth certificate, ID and Social need to stay on your person at all times. I keep my ID and social in my wallet, and my birth certificate with DD214 in a small dossier in my backpack. And that backpack goes with me everywhere. I mean everywhere. It never leaves my side.
Speaking of backpacks, you'll need to get one. And a large duffel, along with a thermal sleeping bag. More on that later.
Way back on the way back bus, I was in Dallas. Went to grab a bite to eat and left my wallet and paperwork in my tent, I had just changed into clean clothes. Total mistake. Came back to find everything but my tent gone (plus I had nothing to eat because I left my wallet in my other pants). No ID, no birth certificate, no social and no money. I had to hitchhike back to California to restart the paperwork process. For the birth certificate I just needed my parent's names and birth location at the county office. Took that to the social security office and got my free replacement card. I managed to get both the same day and then hitchhiked to Phoenix where I got a much cheaper driver's license. I panhandled the $35 for the birth certificate and $10 for the DL in far less time than Social Services in either state could have approved me. It's usually faster to do things yourself, even if you have to hitchhike. Social Services will have you waiting months and sometimes years for documents. I did it all in about a week and had some good road time. FYI.
Back to backpacks - get a large one with lots of pockets. Inside you'll want to keep electronics (phone/charger), paperwork, hygiene kit, pen, Sharpie, 1-liter bottle of water, utility knife (screwdriver/can opener), snacks and other important stuff.
A large duffel should get the tent, sleeping bag, and clothes. Do collect socks. I keep 20 pairs with 4 pants and 8 shirts. Laundry gets done every 2.5 weeks. As well, find a large, contractor-grade black garbage bag. You can put the duffel in the black trash bag and stash it in the bushes when needed. Until you can find a safe, out of sight spot to leave your tent up 24/7 -- you'll need to keep that duffel stashed and hidden while shopping or doing other appointments. Which, at this point, you should be ready for. Because your next step is getting on EBT and Medicaid. No, EBT is not enough to feed a homeless person with no stove or refrigerator or means of storing food safely for an entire month. But it sure helps.
Now personally, I'd just get a mailing address at the local shelter, mission, or homeless day center and apply for EBT and Medicaid online. Then just wait for the cards to be mailed. That being said, you might not be in a position to wait. Depending on your state and locale, some social service offices can get you expedited (same day) EBT and Medicaid cards. Walk in, do the paperwork, interview and walk out with a loaded EBT card and Medicaid coverage. That means food, and a lot less time panhandling just to eat. As for the Medicaid, you WILL need it. You WILL get a severe toothache. And dentists usually won't touch you unless payment is involved. A toothache can kill you because they will lead to an infection. In your head. So be prepared!
Life gets a little easier with an EBT card. Can't panhandle because it's raining? No sweat, you can still get food. Hitchhiking through small towns where you can't panhandle? EBT has your back. The benefits do accumulate, so I try to keep a full month of benefits "saved" just in case I take a temp job or the stenosis in my back acts up and I'm immobilized for a while. Use that EBT card on rainy days or when you can't get gig work or panhandle. It is a lifeline and needs to be treated as such.
The nice bonus with EBT & Medicaid is the free phone you can get. Look in the poorer areas of the city -- you'll find a pop-up shade tent with a sign saying "FREE PHONES". Present your ID and EBT card and you'll have free unlimited calling with a really shitty data plan.
On that note - those phones always come with preloaded malware that will download unwanted games that count against your really shitty data plan. These companies do this intentionally to run you out of data quickly and force you to buy more data from them. As stated earlier, homelessness is a racket. So keep your data turned off at all times (unless absolutely needed), use WiFi whenever possible, and find out how to uninstall that scam malware!
Next up: Tavelling... Or not!
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