Just got approved for SSI/SSD

I got a telephone call from the SSD office saying I was medically eligible for benefits. I had to do a ten minute questionaire and had to say how I wanted to recieve my benefits. The lady said they would start next month. It's bittersweet because I was a trucker, something I loved but my mental state always got in the way... SO now I'm just wondering what I will get monthly and is it based on what I payed in, or is everyone cut the same amount or what? I dunno.

I also know the feeling of not being able to go back to my job.
Loss of independence was a tough one to swallow.
In time you'll get used to having time on your hands & the change in income.
My disability check is based on what I had paid in all those years.
Use Humana for supplemental ins. cause I have physical issues also.
Because we are low income I get help with my premium pmts & lower co-pays. You can also apply for housing, help with utilities, & food stamps. We don't qualify cause hubby works but a person can make it on disability.

Wish you all the best.

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is based on Social Security payments; you worked and are now disabled and this is its insurance against disability. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not related to Social Security and based on need/where you live (how expensive it is), it's more a state-run thing (can include food stamps, etc.) Some people get both but most get one or the other.

Ok I got SSI, do they give a lump sum upon approval?

I believe that you will get a check with funds dated back to when you first applied. Then after that, you will receive a specific amount every month probably on the first of the month.

Congrats on getting your SSI. As kindachaotic stated, you should be eligible now for a host of other assistance. Check into medicaid and foodstamps as well as housing (if needed). Good luck to you!

I know what you mean about the "bittersweet" feeling. I got kind of depressed a few days after finding out that my claim was approved. Then I got over that and felt relieved to have received a decision.

If you call up the person who called you, or just call Social Security Administration, they can tell you what you will get. You are eligible for Medicare 2 years after you start collecting SSDI. (In other words, you don't have to wait until you are 65, which is the norm.) But there is that 2 year wait. In the meantime, you might want to go to the Income Support office nearest you and apply for the following: Medicaid & Food Stamps. The criteria for getting Medicaid varies a LOT from one state to the next (as far as I can tell.) Also, what Medicaid will get you varies a LOT.

It's worth applying for the Food Stamps (SNAP), even if it only gets you $20/month. That's because getting SNAP can make it easier to get other things - like a subsidy toward paying your phone bill (about $12.00/month taken off your bill.) Eventually, there will even be a subsidy toward getting Internet access. (Some places have it now, allowing low-income households to get High Speed DSL for $10.00/month.)

Good Luck. I have found that no one Case Manager, Social Worker, etc. knows everything about everything. You have to double check everything yourself, or you are very apt to end up not getting all you are entitled to.

I had been approved for disability benefits for depression. After 9 yrs of recieving benefits, they terminated this year following a continuing disability review involving a 10 min. psych exam from one of the social security docs although he stated I still suffer from major depressive disorder. I'm curious on what basis they approved you. Meaning, how were you able to support your claim. It seems at least in California since the state is constantly broke they will find any reason to deny benefits.

where do you apply for housing, utilities, food stamps?

Housing, utilities, food stamps, etc. are usually coordinated with your state's department of human resources; here's my state, Maryland's site, for example:

http://www.dhr.state.md.us/

Some things might be more local, if you are in/near a big city but the State site should be able to direct you to them. However, also check your County's health department? Here's mine:

http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com/?page_id=129

They have some good links too (health clinics and food banks, for example, that might be available locally rather than state-wide).