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Phyllis
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« on: December 18, 2007, 06:51:06 AM » |
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Anyone here try for Social Security and have been awarded? I applied for SS while I was working and was denied twice. I have since quit that job because I realized I wasn't "customer friendly" (I threw a calculator at an irate customer  ) I was thinking about applying again. However, I don't think my BP/OCD/Anxiety are debilitating? They just get in the way of me preforming everyday duties. Does that make it debilitating? I just think that is a strong word - like I have lost a limb or something. |
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jtokc
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« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2007, 12:42:05 PM » |
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Yes, I was awarded SSDI for bipolar disorder. I had just lost my job because of my bipolar disorder--again. I got an attorney and he helped me a lot. I was denied twice but awared during my hearing. I don't know what I would have done without it, as I was completely unable to work by that time.
Jane
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Gracie
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« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2007, 12:44:00 PM » |
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I applied and was denied the first time. Then I got a lawyer and applied again and was granted Social Security. But in order to start getting it, I had to be out of work for 6 months first.
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clayton
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« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2007, 07:50:48 PM » |
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I got SSI the first time--I didnt even ask for it! The social worker at the State Hospital applied for it for me without consulting me, and I guess she knew all the right things to say to them. I still continue to tell people, if you can work at all, better to keep working--there are too many lawyers getting SS benefits for anybody and everybody, and the gravy train will eventually have to stop. Once youo've been on SSI/SSDI for 7 years or so, what are you going to tell an employer if you want to work again? That you have a psychiatric disability? You were found too crazy to work anywhere, but you're all better now? Dont be short-sighted!
Clayton
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law---Love is the law, love under will.
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DJ
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« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2007, 04:50:54 AM » |
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I have to disagree with you, Clayton... Sorry.
If you need SSI or SSDI now, then by all means apply. In a few years you may feel better, and then again you may be in worse shape. Hope for the best, plan for something else.
Depending on where you are and the economy is, jobs can be very easy or very hard to find. In seven years both of those dynamics can change drastically. Who knows where you will be in seven years? If you asked me three years ago what I would be doing today, my best guess would have been far off the mark. If you asked me seven years ago, my guess would have been ever further off the mark.
As an example, right now I am a chef who is desperately trying to find more people to work. If I could find a stable, or somewhat manic BP person to work in the kitchen, I would hire them in an instant.
Long and short is that when jobs are plenty and employers have trouble filling positions, history is not as important as availability. (In my opinion) Collect SSDI and have a stable income until you are stable enough to work if that happens, and then look for the right opportunity.
My $0.02...
Derek
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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clayton
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« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2007, 08:50:40 PM » |
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Dear Derek: The controlling word is "need". There are some people, like Jane and myself, who couldnt get along without our check. There are others, however, who just dont wanna work--its stressful, its a pain in the ass, and oh boy! they can live off the government. So they put in an application, get a lawyer, and the lawyer gets them a check--I do not approve of this. Becoming disabled is a life-changing event--so many people draw most of their self-esteem from the work they do, and suddenly you do not have that! When people ask what you do for a living, what do you say? Nothing? You tell them you're disabled and then they want to know what your disability is! I moreover do not know of any employer who will hire someone with a MH history unless the employer is totally desperate, and even in that case he would probably hire a Mexican instead. I think you underestimate the stigma associated with MI--so I continue to advocate, if you can at all work, dont get involved with this business of disability--I know one person who was on SSI for a year, saw better prospects, and has a professional position today. But its not the usual story--the usual story is you get on it, you get used to it, and then you cant do anything else--you have become trapped by the beneficience of SS---this is very easy to do--to use it as a tool to attain a better life someday is a nice ideal, but seldom works out in practice. There is too great a power in that steady check.
Clayton
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law---Love is the law, love under will.
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minerva
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« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2007, 12:08:26 PM » |
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I used a company called Allsup. You can find them online. I was awarded within 3 months. Their website is very informative about disease states and what the criteria are for SSI. Bipolar is defined on the list. I had to give them a small portion of my back award but it was worth it. They did all the work. All I had to do was fill in a few papers.
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Phyllis
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« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2007, 12:23:03 PM » |
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Allsup is linked on one of the advertisers here on the board. I looked through their page and was wondering if they were reputable or not.
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DJ
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« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2008, 06:44:16 PM » |
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Thanks for clicking on that Allsup ad... It paid about a buck fifty!
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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cathmk
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« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2008, 08:06:10 PM » |
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Has anyone who is receiving benefits heard of the Ticket to Work program? I don't know if it is specific to my state (IL) or if it's a Federal program. I'm curious to know more about it but afraid that if I start nosing around I'll set myself on a path to losing my benefits. I'm absolutely not ready for a full time gig.
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Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it. Begin it now. --Goethe
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DJ
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« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2008, 06:32:38 PM » |
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Hey Phyllis,
I just read your post from a couple of days back in response to mine. I must say, "Well said!"
I guess that I am only thinking of those who truly can not work due to their BP. My thought in a nutshell is any help at all is good. You make a good point, though I still feel that if you are in need and truly disabled due to BP, getting SSDI is a good thing.
Derek
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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Phyllis
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« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2008, 07:34:58 PM » |
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Wasn't me.. it was Clayton  |
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DJ
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« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2008, 06:30:58 PM » |
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Doh!
What I said, but to you, Clayton... Good points.
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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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Phyllis
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« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2008, 06:38:41 PM » |
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One sucky thing for me is that I don't have enough work credits. I have had only 1 job in the past.... oh geesh13 years? I haven't had to work. It is a shame that I can't use my work credits from when I was working all the time. I guess someone else got all the money I paid into SS. I hope they enjoyed it.  |
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