If the loans are federal ones and you have SSDI/SSI (so this is great timing for you) then you can apply to have them forgiven. Your dr has to fill out a form that says you are totally and permanently disabled and I think you do a little paperwork too and then if you are approved (I've read that it is hard to get approved and that's especially true for mental health but I had no problems whatsoever and I had more like $60,000 or maybe a bit more). They put you in a 3 year monitoring program where once a year they send a form that you fill out showing that you haven't made more than a certain amount in the prior tax year. After those three years you are done.

It does make for screwy taxes the next year because the forgiven loan debt it taxable. However there's a way around it. I don't remember now if you ask me when you've been approved I'll pull up my taxes from that year and see.

I think they have made it harder since I applied but am not sure of that. I just keep reading something about new rules and I've seen them reference needing SSDI to not review your case for 5 years. Mine said review at 3 years although they haven't done it; I need to call and ask about that because I get afraid they'll have messed up and do something to my benefits (I'm just over 3 years). Looking at the webpage I'm wondering if I used a combination of SSDI and my psychiatrist to get approved.

The process is easy although a little stressful and aside from the tax thing it is nothing for the 3 years of monitoring. I just did mine and it took longer to address the envelope than fill out the paperwork.

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge