[N0TALICE]

I was diagnosed a year and a half ago, but the signs were there most of my life. I am not lazy, and usually excel at any job...
...for awhile. Then fall apart. That seems to be my pattern. Longest job was 2 years maybe. I have not been hospitalized. Partly because my insurance does not cover mental health, and the other part it seems like short term solution to get stable. I try working with my doctor on that, but the middle ground seems hard to achieve.
Any thoughts? I think I would do ok with a part time job & I think disability may allow you x number of hours or income.
I don't want to be a further burden on my husband & family. Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks in advance!

[Travelinglady]

Hi, NOTALICE, and welcome! I got disability years ago for Bipolar II, borderline personality disorder, and fibromyalgia. I had gotten to the point where I couldn't work at all, and I had been hospitalized many times, sometimes due to depression and sometimes due to mania. Now I only work one very minimal job.

I think people can work a little while on disability, but if the government thinks you can earn enough to survive on, then they do not award it. Your doc will have to agree to it, and you'll have a battle trying to get it.

That's what I hear, especially now more than ever.

As bad I hate to have to, I am waiting for my hearing date anytime. I will be and has been the only positive thing for me in a couple of years. It has been killing me waiting. If I get denied I know I will absolutely freak out.

[crubba67]

I'm bipolar 1 and on disability (SSDI). It took about two and a half years to be approved. It's not an easy process. In order to continue benefits you must not be involved in SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity). I believe anything over $1070 a month is considered SGA (but check me on that, I'm not sure). Although, when you receive your CDR (Continuing Disability Review) if you are working there's a good chance you'll lose your benefits.

[bleutamales]

Does obtaining a lawyer who specializes in the SSDI process help speed things up? I'm just wondering if anyone has used one. I'm in the process of filing because we are broke as a joke here.

[Mrs. Mania]

WOW!-this thread was made for me!! I too suffer from short term job performance ( my own definition!) I usually last 1 1/2 years. I do AWESOME-great reviews, pick up extra shifts....and then it happens, can't face another day, cry in the shower before work, pout, kick stuff, or simply refuse to leave the bed. I WANT TO WORK!! It keeps me from living in the dark zone of depression. However, my employers never return my loyalty( I get along great w/immediate supervisors, but not upper management?). 1 point over attendance max and BAM, no more job. What sucks the most is that I'm always super close to points falling off and everything being ok. I wish I could find a job that reduces points for working extra shifts or short notice shifts. I've only known one place and I don't live in that state anymore. I too was wondering about disability, but not the kind you don't have to work, but the kind where your employer has to accommodate your disability? I think that's a type? If anyone knows anything about that PLEASE for the love of God shout out to me! Lmciyah- know that you are not alone in short term job performance! I have held over 70 jobs in my lifetime! NO, unfortunately that is not an exaggeration, I started a very depressing list showcasing this fact a few years ago. Keep up the good fight!

[SirIsaacNippington]

Hi,

I have a lot of experience with SSDI. I was on it for about 10 years. Mine took about a year to approve, but during that year I was on SDI (California state disability) . I was approved the first time, but at that time I had been hospitalized several times, with suicide attempts. I don't even remember applying -- apparently I applied while in the hospital, with help from social workers.

From what you described of your situation, my guess is that you will almost certainly be denied. There is some possibility of winning an appeal, but probably not without a lawyer.

You definitely won't be approved initially if you are working at all, for any amount of money.

I know they *say* that you can make up to a certain amount of money, but believe me, if you work, they WILL stop your benefits after a certain amount of time. The only exception might be if your income comes from things that don't require the ability to "work" per se, like clinical trial participation. The attitude generally is that if you can to ANY kind of work, even part time, that you should not get disability.

Things may have changed since I got off SSDI in 2006 and went back to work full time, but I doubt it.

Luckily I work in a government job, with a union. They take the ADA very seriously, and cut me some slack with my illness.

All this is just my experience and opinion, of course.