SSI vs. job?

I recently had a visit with my doctor who said that it would be unwise for me to continue in my line of work. She diagnosed me with severe depression and anxiety paired with panic attacks. Problem is, I only have experience in one field, and my mom keeps trying to push me back into working in that field (in restaurants) which is such a stressful job! Anyone who has worked in restaurants will tell you, that there is usually a lot of drama, anxiety, and stress that come with a busy restaurant...and my doctor advised me to take a break from the work for awhile so I can try to get better. Thus, I applied to SSI. My mother thinks I am just being lazy and is going out of her way to make things hard of me (she is threatening to cancel my insurance and cell phone contracts, because I told her about the stress of the restaurant and she believes that by doing this she can force me into working where she wants). Anyways, I need some opinions. Think SSI is a good route? I have personally been in a mental health slump that has been getting worse and worse, and I strongly feel I should listen to my doctor, but it is hard when your own mother is telling you to grow up...

I, too, struggle with knowing if I am just being lazy or if it is due to my depression. Like you, I have family that thinks that I am lazy. You have to take care of you. Your mother isn't you, so she can't know what you are going through. If possible, do you think it is possible for your dr to speak with your mother?

God yes... working in a job like that could be stressful for anyone. Some thrive on the hectic pace but for someone with anxiety and depression...x50. Working is always preferable. There's something about working that makes you feel better about yourself.
In your case tho I'd listen to the doc. If you qualify for SSI then great. That will give you a break and you can have time to look into other lines of work. There may even be job training or education opportunities that this will open up for you. When you're ready for work again maybe you can get a place of your own...assuming that you live with your mom. Good luck

The only thing I would urge you to consider is that if you get on SSI which is incredibly difficult in and of itself, is that the government now owns you. They tell you how much you can make, etc., etc. Do you really want some bureaucrat you don't know, and who doesn't know anything about you except what's in a file running your life?

Lucy, the way I see it....someone is going to be running my life either way...and if I have to let the government do it for a little while in order to get myself healthy and well again, that is a bit of sacrifice I am certainly willing to make.
Thank you all for replying. I know working has it's great benefits, but I have no degree and very little experience...so it's tough all around...I am trying to get through school, but again...no money...but I am trying my hardest here, so hopefully things work out!

Well she sounds kind of manipulative, what sort of insurance is it though? because for instance with like health insurance not sure if its the same in all states but if you get on SSI you can probably get medicaid...not sure what to do about other insurance I don't have any my self since I have no income. As for cell phones how much is your bill? maybe with the SSI you would have enough to cover it yourself. Otherwise you could switch to something cheap like Net 10.......if you get the pay as you go phone its quite cheap and I am sure you could afford it with SSI.

Sounds like some more independence from your mom would help you, I feel the same about my situation though my mom isn't holding anything like that above my head but she wants rent when I get SSI and I kind of want to save up when and if I get it to try and move out. But there are other options if that is the way your moms going to be about it. Seems your best bet is probably to listen to the doctor.

Just to point out, SSI does not have to be a permanent thing. And its not like they stop you from making more income, they just don't continue giving you SSI if you make more money than that so its up to the person if they still need the SSI or are functional enough to find work that would give them a salary disqualifying them from SSI. At least as far as I Know.

Its not like they'll send a hit man to come and threaten you and demand you only ever do menial labor.

The problem often becomes the SSI recipient ends up on some form of low-income health insurance that is dependent on them staying within very strict guidelines that have to be reported every year. If you're caught cheating on your income, you face prosecution.

My sister has long-term health problems, can't work and is supported by family. She also is on the state's low-income health insurance that is worth tens of thousands of dollars a year to her, but in order to keep it, she has to live on next to nothing. I can't even give her an extra $50 or $100 without it becoming an issue. She's a paralegal, and knows the law like the back of her hand so she's very careful about it as she knows what could happen otherwise.

There's a time and a place of disability, but if you don't absolutely have to have it, you'll have less people trying to control your life. Sorry if that offends you, but it's the absolute truth. That's why I've never ever thought of trying to get some sort of disability even though I've got basically the same thing as my sister does. I'd rather we live on what my husband earns, and not have to account for it to the government, but then I'm into freedom as my signature indicates.

Just know it can take upwards of a year or more to get a decision, most often you are denied the first few times. Then you have to get an attorney and if you are approved then, then the attorney gets 25% of your back pay. Also, you will only make about $800 to $850 per month. You will qualify for MediCaid only which, here in California, gets you meds and pdoc appt.'s every 3-6 months, but no counseling. That being said. I have been on it before until I was able to work again. But my mom helped me out financially, considerably. Without her I would have been homeless.

Also, you often have to pay for meds and copays even with the MediCaid, out of that tiny income.

I realize that and even in my state you have to get SSI to get medicaid so getting off SSI due to working would make a bit of an issue affording health care. Also if one gave you 50 dollars of cash and you spent it as cash, why would one go out of their way to report it.......I mean guess I just don't get that even though I realize getting other income and not reporting it can screw with things I just don't see why like 20 or 50 dollars say your mom gives you would be something you have to report.

Also I am not exactly opposed to freedom, don't think I suggested I was, just saying technically you can get out of SSI and it does not have to be a lifelong thing.

but what eould you do without your husband's income? what if you were not married or he left you or died? so you are still basically live off someone else and not on your own. not everyone has the luxury of having someone rescue us and provide for us. there are some people who really need it.

if you need time out from working then taking a few months or even a couple of years now may mean you get well again quicker where continuing to push yourself now will definitely result in you becoming more ill and needing even more time off later only it may not be your choice by that time. living off benefits is difficult, you can't have all the luxuries you could whilst working, but with careful budgeting and sensible shopping you will get by.

What your mum chooses to pay for is her choice, ok it may be inconvenient to have to give up your phone, but there are ways around it...email, pay as you go etc. I guess as you are old enough to work you are old enough to get your own insurance, though if you get a medicard then won't that cover the major things? I am not in America but here once you are on sickness benefits you automatically qualify for free meds and basic councelling though there is often a looooooong wait for this.

rather than paying an attornee to help sort out your ssi have a look for a charity or advocate, we have peer advocates here which are people who have been there and got the picture/postcard who use their experience to help others free of charge or for a very low cost.

shortandcute and Hellion, I agree with you both. I wouldn't be applying for SSI if I felt I had other options. However, sometimes we just don't. I don't have someone else who can work for me, and bring home money and give me cash when I need a sick day. I am on my own with this stuff, and now I am being told not to work, and take a break from my school so I don't get worse...it is hard to do that without an income though...So I agree, while we may not want the government more involved in our lives...I sure as hell don't, I don't have very many options at this point...

Yellowted, my mom doesn't pay for those things she is threatening to cancel, I pay for them. My contract is just under her name...
I appreciate your input though, and I see what you are saying about taking a break now rather than later...