HUGE, life altering decisions

I have a huge huge huge life altering decision to make.

I currently work 18 hrs a week and get disability. I have two very good things going for me, possibly.

I can either continue to work part time and start school part time. I was accepted in the human services program at the school I chose and got more than enough financial aid to cover it all.

OR

I talked to my boss about potentially going to work fulltime. There is one problem. I would need a huge raise and I went ahead and explained it to her. I am a peer support specialist so they already KNOW I have a mental disorder. Ive even had to be hospitalized before while working this job. My boss is a therapist and very, very understanding. I talked to her for supervision today and whoa! She said they are discussing the job and I may just be able to get that raise and job. Id be going from 18hr to 40 a week. Its a huge change. And a lot more stress to be added on to my load.

I LOVE my job and I WANT to go to school. But this is the sort of job I want. I can always go back to school later. I cant do both at the same time. that's way too much.

Im so lost! My t and pdoc support me working fulltime. My family doesn't.

Yes, decisions, decisions!

Do you feel you are ready for working 40 hours a week?

Why does your family disagree with full-time employment?

If I were on disability and thinking about going to school, I would try to do so with the involvement of Voc. Rehab. Doing so is more likely to protect you from any degree of a disability investigation. You may have already checked into this?


WC

Will you lose your disability for working 40 hours? I know they can reduce the amount you get.

Yes I would lose SSDI.

My family is worried I will get really ill and lose my job and no income.

That is a possibility. I also get my insurance through the social security office so it would be doubly as bad if i lost my disability.

Would you be able to do the ticket to work thing? I know almost nothing about that except they send me stuff every so often and I throw it away as it doesn't apply to me right now. My understanding is you woulnd't lose your benefits immediately and all at once though. (?)

PS Congratulations on both opportunities! You are amazing!

IM looking into ticket. I planned on calling tomorrow. I just haven't had time all week. been super busy

Just get all the information about what insurance they offer as that will be a huge deciding factor for me. And write up a pro and con list.

Your T thinks you can handle full time which he’s not one to blow smoke up your skirt so that’s a positive.

Your family can jump off a bridge this is Your life ... go live it.

I think and hope you're doing what works for you. I believe in you

Definitely look into Ticket to Work. If you haven't used up any of your trial work months yet, you can work up to 9 months at any income. After that, you can get disability until the first time you earn at least $1180 per month, and then your disability payments stop. Check with social security to see if you have used any trial work months yet--the procedure for determining that is complicated, so it's best to have an expert do it. Even if Ticket to Work won't help, keep in mind that it should be fairly easy to restart your disability if you try to work and can't handle it. The reinstatement process is expedited in such cases, and I would think that trying to work and not succeeding would just add to the body of evidence that you need disability. I wish you the very best luck!!!

I am so happy for you! Those are both great options and while its a huge and Im sure difficult decision I dont think you can really go wrong with either one. I hope once you take some time to think about what you really want and what makes the most sense to you(not just your family) the choice will be clear

Halliebeth87
Sounds like you’re doing all the right things to make this decision. Just do what feels right for you. I wish you well!

Definitely do what feels right to you and not what anyone thinks is what you should do. Congrats on having 2 great opportunities at once

I called a ticket to work helpline and the guy explained as best he could how it works. he was very patient and kind. according to him I have probably used my work trial months and am in phase two. but anyhow he referred me to a local agency that will help me further get into this process. I am also getting a insurance plan info sheet at work on Monday to go over. I think I really want this job.