Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to respond, and for your good advice.

To clarify, the letter was to request reinstatement of financial aid for next semester, not SSI/SSDI.

I spoke with my therapist again. He offered to write it if I signed a release so he could speak with my dss counselor, and requested a copy of the informal contract she & I had drawn up (things such as balancing heavier/lighter classes; building more psychological support (therapy, group) to ensure in place before next semester; meeting with my psych, to make sure meds are effective/proper).

At first, I thought this a reasonable request. But the more I thought it over, the angrier I became.

I left him a voicemail, telling him I was angry (without yelling, crying, or sounding rageful). I said I didn't understand his reluctance to provide a general letter, and that I was severing our therapy relationship. I stated I had far more at risk, as far as confidentiality/privacy concerns, if I signed a release than he did for writing a general care letter, that in no way required him to plead my case and was in no way perceived as a letter of recommendation.

DSS said we could process this without my therapist, as she spoke with me at length and is qualified to make her own assessment.

After the flush of anger subsided, I have regret. While I think I need a more supportive therapist, I'm starting to believe I was unreasonable about the release. It might be better to allow connection/more free-flow of information between my sources of support. I felt so full of righteousness when I left that voicemail - that should have been my tip-off that I had some mania and grandiosity. Well, I cast the dice and will have to move on from here, hopefully in healthier ways.

Thank you all, again.