Politicians hear seniors' Social Security needs

Anna Hill's $960 Social Security check doesn't go far; she pays $810 in rent each month, leaving just $150 for food, clothes and the co-pay on her two prescription medications.

She turns to friends for small loans whenever she's short.

"I'd just like to be independent," she said. "I feel like I lost my financial freedom."

Hill, 77, of Medford, was among 100 seniors who gathered at a North Babylon Senior Center Friday morning to show their support for local politicians who say they will bolster Social Security. The Social Security Administration announced Friday there would be no cost-of-living increase in 2011 - for the second year in a row - because of low inflation.

President Barack Obama is pushing for a one-time $250 payment for Social Security recipients, veterans and people with disabilities to help offset the impact. A similar payment was issued last year.

"This is something we have to fight for," said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola). "The majority of people on Long Island live from paycheck to paycheck."

McCarthy, who is running for re-election, said seniors have a right to collect from the fund they've been paying into all of their working lives.

"Social Security is not a gimme," she said. "We've paid into this. It's something you've been doing since your first job."

Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) said the consumer price index played a role in the government's decision to hold steady on its Social Security payments, but he said this might not be a fair measure to consider when evaluating the needs of seniors who have lower incomes and greater health care costs.

John Gomez, Israel's Republican opponent for the 2nd Congressional District, issued a statement Friday saying, "Congressman Israel should apologize to our seniors for voting not to stay in Washington and fight for a vote in favor of a COLA [cost of living adjustment] increase."

Kuldip Mangal, 74, of Wyandanch, said he didn't understand how the government could deny a cost-of-living increase when rent and health care costs keep rising. "I have eight kids and they help me a lot," he said. "Without them, I don't know what would happen to me." Mangal, who retired last year, takes in $742 in Social Security each month. He said he needs every dollar.

Francine McCabe, 67, was disabled when she was hit by a drunken driver in 2006. The West Babylon resident relies heavily on both Social Security - she gets $1,027 per month - and Medicare to meet monthly expenses.

"I worry that I won't be able to pay for my medical costs," she said, leaning hard on her cane.

The Social Security Administration says there were more than 500,000 Social Security beneficiaries on Long Island in 2009.