She doesn’t think I’m quite ready to work yet, what with less than a year of stability after 6 years of illness, not to mention the fact that my negative and cognitive symptoms are apparently much worse than I thought. It’s easy for my to talk on here because I can take as long as I want to respond, but evidently, I have quite a bit of thought blocking, some loose associations, and tangents, and I need instructions several times before I can quite understand what I’m supposed to be doing and what people mean when they talk. She doesn’t want me to destabilize, but she also says that I’m an adult and that I deserve to have my own money and stuff. She said that it doesn’t have to be forever, just long enough for me to really get back on my feet. What do you guys think? Is it really a good idea to trust the government on this?
I think it is worth a try, especially if you have the support of family on this. I’m thinking about applying as even though I go to school full time, work is definitely not something I could handle right now. My family doesn’t want me to apply, as they would take it as an insult to them as the providers, but my savings are dwindling and I have bills that aren’t getting paid.
Hmm… Maybe explain to them that you’re not insulting their ability to provide for you, but you just want to chip in and this is your way of doing it.
I don’t see any reason for you not to apply for disability. You can always go to work when you’re up to it. And for now you will have a little income to get what you need. It seems like a win-win situation to me.
Hmm… It would really help my mom out too. It would be nice if I could help her out financially.
I’m on disability, and I work as well. It was nice having some money come in monthly when I wasn’t working. I say go for it. It seems like you’ll use the money for all the right reasons.
I’m on disability as well and it helps tremendously. All my medication is paid for and I get free dental and health check ups. I get about $514 a month as well which helps a little as well. You should also apply for food stamps. I get about $200 a month in food stamps on top of my disability so you should look into all of this if your not working right now. Also if you don’t get approved the first time you might have to hire a lawyer.
I agree with @disciple. Get disability and take it easy for awhile until you feel confident enough to go to work. You can be on disability for a year or two and then get a job and still keep your SSDI.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find work. Just work on getting better now; jobs will always be out there when you’re ready. It’s good to take risks and try working but you don’t want set yourself up for disappointment by trying to take on too much, too quickly. Take it easy (if that’s even possible for someone with schizophrenia, lol) and when you are feeling better then take a calculated risk and slowly prepare yourself for employment by searching the job market and getting an idea what’s out there and maybe fill out a few applications for practice and practice your interview skills by going on an interview or two even if you don’t really want the job you are applying for.
If you do apply, I suggest just going ahead and getting a lawyer. Most people get denied disability the first time, and it’s a ton of paperwork. A lawyer will help immensely. If I ever re-apply for disability (I was denied the first time,) I will hire a lawyer, or I probably won’t ever get it.
Yes, I didn’t get it the first time and needed a lawyer too. There are people here who go to college and get disability and it helps pay the bills. I don’t think mild cognitive disability will stop you from working. Even if you decide never to work, it’s still possible to lead a productive life through friends, community groups, volunteering, helping your parents out with work,etc. I am learning to live a fulfilling life relying on disability though I intend to try working again soon. Quality of life is important for the mentally ill, especially when we have a busy schedule. I recommend an outpatient treatment program and support group to go to. There are lots of young people and I even made close friends.
Personally i dont see anything wrong with applying because it sounds like it would be helpful for you but the choice is up to you do you think you can have a happy life without disability
Yes! you might even get better choices of meds, if evidently your still on it when you are 26 and have to get off your parents insurance. You need it as a crutch, and you can get payments and pay off increments of school if you get a balance. For some time, I didn’t eat all day at school because I couldn’t afford it, sometimes the café cashier gave me a free coffee because I was scrounging for change.
Trusting the government: They wont hurt you, or devise a plan. Youre eligible for OVR when you graduate high school or college. They offer so many services for jobs, and you can even get financial support for school, they give you money in some cases!
@Sardonic, You are 19 years old. Which means you don’t have much work history. Which means you will not be able to go on SSDI. You will have to collect SSI which is different from SSDI. SSI is more of a welfare program. SSDI is an insurance program for people who have a longer work history. My son was on SSI. When people are on SSI, the government does not allow them to work and collect SSI at the same time, generally. Or, if they do, they cannot earn very much at all. My son was only allowed to earn like $50 per week on his job, for instance. But he lived in a group home and resided in Nebraska so it might be different for you.
@SkinnyMe I didn’t know that, I cant risk losing my health insurance if I work when I’m able…
@Winterblues, You mean your Medicaid or Medicare?
both 15151515151515
What all kind of medical insurance do you have now?
I just have plain Medicaid and medicare
@Winterblues, Oh, I would talk to your case worker that handles your Medicaid and ask her/him how you can keep your Medicaid or Medicare while going back to work. Explain that you take psychotropic medications and that you need medical coverage for your psych condition and meds. I’m sure they can accommodate you.
okay, thanks ! 15151515