Should I apply for SSI/SSD?

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Yes, you are entitled to your own opinion. But there is a difference between "opinion" and "facts." It is a FACT that disability is NOT the "easy way out"--it is not just our opinions on this. It is a FACT that there are some people who cannot work--that's why there is disability. It is a FACT that disability is not the same as welfare. And no one ever said that having a job is something to be ashamed of. But the way you came across in your other post made you sound very judgemental, and that those are disabled did have something to be ashamed of!
....and as Laina said, it's different when its your life.

Uh.....Did I say you should feel bad about having a job?? Well, just to straighten out the obvious confusion, what I DID say is that it is a blessing that you are able to do so. And excuse me, but if we choose to respond before we "move on", we are "allowed" to do that......

same. same.
and mostly by the mouths of my parents were the accusations.

Bad behavior as an adult and inability to hold down a job because of bad behavior, does not a disability make. Most people who are turned down for SSDI do not have sufficient medical and/or work records to back up their claim; it is not an "easy" way out but the individual does not get to decide they are disabled and cannot work, they have to literally have societal records and prove it.

If you do not go to the doctor regularly, do not have written or employer first-hand confirmation of being fired because you cannot do the work (because you are disabled, not because you "don't get along" or "nobody likes you" or you don't arrive on time or call out too often, without your employers' knowing and trying to accommodate your doctor's diagnosis of depression), then it can be a very long, hard, even impossible road to getting disability income.

If you keep getting new jobs and trying to work, or work fairly successfully part-time at a job, you may not be deemed "disabled" enough. There are people who have a disability and work and those who have the "same" disability and don't work; where's the line? With mental illness, it can be hard to find. I have a good friend who is quadriplegic, in a wheelchair, and every time he is laid off from a job, he has to re-apply for Social Security! He loves to work but is slower than others because of his disabilities so when there is a downturn in the economy, he's usually laid off sooner rather than later. So, looking for work or not working for work, where's the line?

There are disabilities that can interfere with ones ability to interact with people, there are disabilities that can interfere with ones motivation and executive functioning(or bouncing back), there are disorders that can cause paralyzing anxiety ect.

Also disabled people are individuals, Just because one person with a specific disability can do one thing does not mean someone else with that same disibility can do all the same things it depends on the individual and how their specific symptoms/issues interfere with their ability to get and keep a job.

And finally the notion that mental disorders/illnesses are automatically less disabling than physical disorders/illnesses is certainly not something that is helpful to people disabled by their mental disorders/illnesses.

Well, most of us who have already applied for disability already know all that. And I do not recall seeing any posts on here claiming that bad behavior was a disability.

And as far as "sufficient evidence," most people DO have sufficient evidence--but they are turned down anyway. It is common knowledge that SS almost always turns people down at least the first time, with few excetpions.

As for me, I did not wake up one day and randomly decide that I was disabled. I've always preferred working, but I just could not hold down a job for very long. The decision to finally apply for disability has been a very difficult one, and it took me over 25 years to finally do it. I would rather not.

This is correct - you've got to have your paperwork in order and mine went back 3 years. I hired a lawyer and they take 25%. It took 6 months and I was approved first time. PM me with any questions

Mean people suck

well, i had my paper work in order also and was still denied the first time--and its been the same with many people i know; your case is usually the exception

I am thankful that I have never had to go on SSI. To me it does not seem like the easy way out at all. It really means being stuck living on a subsistence income. I can not see why anybody would choose it as a preference. I have a couple of friends at church who are on SSI due to injuries and it is no picnic.

I believe that getting a job and doing meaningful work is far preferable. I suppose there are some people who may play the system, those that do make it really hard for those who have to be there and contributes even more to already low self esteem

Unfortunatly its quite possible people playing the system would get on it easier, I imagine they'd know how these sort of things work otherwise I doubt they'd risk it.......I personally find it all very confusing and extremely stressful.

JLDragon - It is a blessing not to have to go on SSI or SSDI, and I would say only ppl who are playing the system would pick it as option one. I have my MBA, excellent references, and a solid résumé. I would love to have the mental capacity to return to a job making good money. Instead I am broke, I have to cut corners on my meds, Dr appts, and I can't afford therapy. But just because I'm on disability doesn't mean I can't do "meaningful work."

Hellion: I am on SSDI because I was in the workforce 20 years. A lot of it has to do with your diagnosis I would think, and depression is probably harder to approve than bipolar because more of the population have depression. The same with PTSD because of troops returning home I have read. So yes paperwork and a Dr. backing you up are crucial, but it all comes down to how does your disablity affect your ability to work. And some gov't official decides if you are unable to function in any job position - ie. factory work.

Yes I am aware, and its actually gotten so bad I cannot really function in general.....let alone at a job. Either way I went to apply for SSI already and the case worker person I got certainly seemed to think I have a reasonable case for getting on SSI. Then I have an appointment coming up with a psychiatrist to get more documentation that's more recent that what I've provided so far.

Anyways if I don't get on SSI I am likely to end up dead on the streets, so hopefully I can get on it which would also allow me to get on medicaid so I can maybe get some treatment for all the anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms also its very likely I have aspergers syndrome which supposedly explains why I suck at social interaction and can't make eye contact which probably contributed to being treated like a freak and an outcast growing up which certainly did not help me develop in a healthy way. But its those in charge of the SSI that I have to prove it to......not an Internet forum I suppose.

I really hope SSI comes through for you! It's a good sign that you have a reasonable case. I was all keyed up about the mental evaluation, but it was no biggie. Just be Honest and detailed.

TnT

Yeah and if not I guess I don't know exactly what would happen if I don't get approved it just worries me, and I do have some family/friends who'd want to help, but of course there is only so much any of them can do to help......If I want to try and improve my living situation and get the help I need then SSI is likely the only way to do that, that I know of.