Welcome, Ernestine! I've never discussed social issues with a basset hound before. I bet you have some interesting takes on things.
Your comments on schizophrenia are so right on and thank you for also stating the reality of SSDI payments in Ohio (which match those in the rest of the country).
Your friend is very fortunate that his schizophrenia is not so profound that he can't work even with the medication. I know several people with schizophrenia who draw eiher SSI or SSDI and even with their meds function only with the greatest difficulty. One, especially, is one of the sweetest kindest persons you could ever hope to meet. He'll let people who have nowhere else to go stay at his place - stuff like that. Yet he is so delusional, even with his meds. He thinks that he built the entire city of Colorado Springs and that he played in the band with the Beatles. He lives on that $550 a month plus $140 in food stamps. Needless to say, by the middle of the month his food stamps have been used up and he must walk 4 miles each way to the local soup kitchen because he is afraid of the strangers who ride the city bus system (which is worthless, anyhow, and too expensive for someone who gets so little money).
Many of the homeless people on this country's streets are schizophrenic. They can't navigate the SSI system on their own and don't understand or are afraid of the people in the agencies who might give them help. These people break my heart, but the rest of my fellow Americans view them with callous disregard.