Hi, Whimsy, I am 59 and I was just approved for SSDI. Don't rely on your therapist to know too much about this whole subject. I'm sure your T means well, but it sounds like you have been given some mixed up info. Having just gone through the process, myself, I've learned a few things. One thing I learned is that you have to double check EVERYTHING anyone tells you. I was told by a Case Manager, assigned to me at the facility where I get my mental health care, that I would absolutely not qualify for SSDI. And my psychiatrists weren't very supportive, either. Luckily my regular doctor was very, very supportive and gave me the push to apply. I got approved quickly, once I applied. The most reliable advice I got was the advice I got from lawyers. (And because I got approved so quickly, with no back pay accumulated, the attorney did not make a dime - with no hard feelings.)

The Social Security Administration gives out two kinds of checks - SSDI and SSI. Some people get one, or the other. Some people get both. Yes, it is possible to collect and work under a certain amount. I don't know all the ins and outs. There is interesting feedback above.

First you need a good paper trail documenting your diagnosis and treatment for your disability. Next, it is good to have a doctor (either a pdoc, or regular MD) who agrees that you have a disability that makes you unable to work. Next, I would advise you to call a few law firms and tell them your story and listen to what they tell you. You can call local ones and those nationwide disability specialists that advertise on TV and on the Net. Call a few. It won't cost you a dime and you will get good feedback on your chances of collecting from SSA. Keep notes, but don't commit to any one law firm, right away. Just thank them and say you will get back to them when you are ready. (It is perfectly okay to shop around like this. They are happy to hear from you.) And you don't have to call anyone back, if you don't feel like it.

If you get approved for either SSDI, or SSI, it is certainly possible to work. In fact, they encourage that. Here is the thing: While you are in the process of applying, you want to make the case that you are applying BECAUSE you can NOT work. You have to stick to that mindset. Down the line, after getting on SSDI, or SSI, or both, THEN you can adopt a NEW mindset, where you say: "Okay, I want to see if I can manage to find ways to adapt to my disability, which will allow me to work to some extent." Or: "I want to search out an employer who will provide me a setting, in which my disability can be accomodated, or not overly challenged, so that I can work to some extent. " The SSA will even pay organizations like your local Division of Vocational Rehab., or other networks (some are private,) to help you get placed in a work environment. You can participate in the "Ticket to Work" program.

The SSA is even so happy to have disabled persons working that they have special access to Medicaid for the "Working Disabled." Don't guess any answers to anything because you might be guessing wrong.

At your age, you must be disabled in order to get SSI. Also, you must prove financial need. If you were 67 years old, you would not even have to prove disability . . . just financial need. Depending on what kind of work history you had before 10 years ago, you might be eligible for SSDI. How do you "know for a fact" that you don't qualify? Not that you should tell me, just don't go by what someone may have told you. You can find out in 5 minutes by calling the SSA. But you have to know what simple question to ask, and I can't remember it. A paralegal told me what to ask. People at SSA can be kind of "snippy" to talk with, so you want to know exactly what they are obligated to tell you. And you don't want to make any small talk with them about anything. I was advised not to ever give them my email address, and that worked out well for me.

If you have a work history behind you, before the last 10 years, then you could be hurting yourself by delaying filing. (It would reduce your SSDI benefit, which is calculated by averaging earnings over time prior to disability.) If, in fact, you did not work enough to be eligible for SSDI, then establishing disability, by SSA's criteria, would get you SSI. If you are low income enough to qualify for SSI (which also requires that you be disabled from working), then you should also qualify for subsidized housing. That HUD subsidy can be worth a lot. (And you can go and apply at the local housing authority for a Section 8 voucher, right now. May as well get on that waiting list.) The value of that, added to your SSI, can give you a decent basic income - at least enough to survive on. (Apply now for SNAP/food stamps, if you have not already done so.)

If you get approved for SSI, you would not have to wait until age 65 to get MediCal. Your therapist is probably right, in that you would get it earlier. My understanding is that you would get Medicare two years after you are approved for SSI. MediCal might kick in sooner. Eventually, you would have both.

If you do not live alone, they are going to look at household income when they evaluate your financial need, especially if you have a spouse. Being over age 55 makes the whole process a little easier, in that the vocational retraining that might be expected of a younger person is not expected of a person nearing age 60. Also, the status review process (to determine continuing elegibility) is much less burdensome.

http://www.danaise.com/Can%20I%20wor...20benefits.htm

The link above directly answers your main question. Hope I didn't overload you with feedback. Good luck.