[tait]

Hi, its me Tait, the initial poster of "I'm bipolar and can't keep a job" thread. I wanted to know if I even stand a chance at getting SSI disability because of my 37 year old age and because I am married? I am in the process of my third denial appeal. I also want to know if having part time jobs while waiting for SSI disability will affect me getting approved? Thanks in advance for all of your reply submissions.

[Michah]

Tait, I am in Australia so I don't know your criteria for disability, but I would think that working part time would not help your case......have the rules changed in regards to legislation because of your economic climate over there? I know that here after a period of time they do encourage you to seek work if your psychiatrist supports you.

Don't give up.......you should have a claims section of Social security that you can appeal to. Your partners income should be taken into account but my partner works full time and we still get something for me. It took a while though.

Good luck babe, I know how hard it is........ring your claims section.....they can help you.......

[tracy33]

Hi, I'm 37 years old and I'm on disability for bipolar. I've been on it for about 3 years. I definately think having a part time job in the mean time would be a bad idea. You're supposed to prove to them that you cannot work, and there you are, working. I am married also. Do you have a lawyer to help you? I had one from the very beginning. Hang in there. I was denied three times before I finally got approved. Good Luck.

[thunderbear]

Hi. I know alot of people on SSI/disability and they all had to be turned down 3x before they got their disabilty payments.

Are you talking about SSI or SSDI? SSI would be absolutely no work. For SSDI you must prove that you are not engaging in any Substantial Gainful Activity, meaning you cannot make more than $960 a month. But, it does raise a red flag even if you were only making $500 even though it's not supposed to. Getting a letter from your employer saying they've made special accomodations for you might help. (Like being allowed to work only on your "good days" as an example.)


Substantial Gainful Activity

To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA.

The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's disability. The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals; Federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals. Both SGA amounts increase with increases in the national average wage index.

Amounts for 2009
The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2009 is $1,640. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2009 is $980.

http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/sga.html

[chalmette70043]

Hi Tait. I'm 37, 38. I can't remember. Somewher round that. Anyway i'm on Social Scurity Disability. Have been about 4 months now. I didnt have any problems with getting it. What paperwork they asked for from me, doc and my T i got to them.

But i'm not married and can't find a job. I'm working now with Lousiana Job Rehabilitation to find a part time job. But everyone says i need something that causes no stress. I didnt know there was a job out there like that.

Maybe you should call the SSD phone number and ask what criteria is accepted and what is not in order to get it.

I wish you luck on it.

chal