Applied for dissability, how to get by until approval?

So I'm trying to decide this now...

I lost my job last month. Back in May when my anxiety peaked and went to a whole new level I was cut from 70 hours to 21 hours a week. Eventually I got down to 16 hours a week. Then I lost the job because of my health and anxiety issues.

I've never been able to keep a job for long because of my anxiety issues. This last job was the longest job I've ever had 2 years but was out of work for 4 months and they were pretty lenient for the first year or so with letting me call in when I really wasn't feeling well.

So I lost my job. I had to leave early quite a bit because attacks would hit and they were bad. If I wasn't leaving most of the time I was calling my fiance to come sit with me at work so I would feel better.

Then I get told I have epilepsy the same week I lost my job. My anxiety got better because I thought I was having psuedo seizures. Now that I know it's epilepsy and I have seizures much more frequently than I'd thought (like often times a few times a day. Sometimes a week or so without but happens most days) and it's just been a mess. I get all clammy and panicky when thinking about applications. But my co worker from my last job has a new job at a place that I'd wanted to work at. I didn't fill out an application but they wanted to meet me anyways. The first interview I was too anxious to go so I bailed. My second interview I forced myself to go and cried during the whole interview. We were outside so I was able to play it off as allergies. I don't know if they bought it or not because it happened the entire time and it was bad, tears pouring down. But still I got the job. My first day was yesterday and a few times I tried to chicken out but went anyways. I had a few episodes in the 5 hours I was there.

To top this all off my (now) husband has to work on Thursday and with seizures my license was suspended so I have no way to get to the job tomorrow when they want me in there. I also don't have a babysitter. I could fight to the teeth to get to a job only to lose it next week due to lack of transportation, anxiety or seizures.

I filed for disability about 3 weeks ago. I got a letter in the mail requesting more information yesterday. It's so hard to find a way to work and I'm trying to hopefully set up an online shop with handmade items so I can make some form of income because havinga job just seems impossible atm.

I need to make money though, from what I've heard it can take 6 or more months to get approved, I need a way to earn money until that time comes. Would getting a job effect getting disability? If I could work that is. I'm desperate to earn money but I honestly don't know how long I will be there before the episodes get to be too much and I lose my job again.

I don't want disability forever, I need to earn money, but it's been two years of living this way and had it not been for my last job being so accomodating I wouldn't have made a dime last year. My last job sucked but the one good thing was that they were there through the major seizures and through the diagnosis and saw me trying hard to find out what was wrong so there was sympathy. I wont find that again.

It's just frustrating. I dont know what to do. I have to earn some money so I can have medical insurance to see the doctors. My husband can pay all the bills but can't afford my insurance and now that we are married I no longer qualify for medicaid. Our monthly income for a 3 family home is about $1,400 a month. I can't afford to not work and have medical issues, but I can't work. Any advice on what I should do?

Sorry your dealing with all of this... Epilepsy maybe hurry things along ( hopefully ) Each state seems to have different processing time. I'll tell you my struggle

I filed for disability June 2010 and immediatly hired an attorney.

I was repeatedly denied 3 times despite my Doctors letters and proof beyond belief that I was unable to work plus I had numerous inpatient stays that also showed proof. My Doctors were livid each time I was denied.

Each denial took about 6 months

Hurry up and wait.

I finally had my hearing before a judge April 8th 2013 !

The judge apologized numerous times that I had been denied
when I did in fact have all the proof that was needed.

I received a letter 10 days letter from the court stating my
case was approved. Now It's another 8-12 weeks for the
payment center to actually get payments coming in.

Hurry up and wait some more.

They are going back to my initial filing date June 2010 and I will receive all
those in back pay.

Everyone I know personally that has filed get denied first time around , They hope
people get tired of filling out the endless stacks of paperwork.

I know some people here on PC that were approved the first go around.

I really hope you are able to get benefits a lot quicker.

I was one of the lucky ones. I was granted disability services without having to appeal. I know that this is very unusual though. Everyone was warning me & preparing me to appeal, so I was kind of shocked!

My case didn't come up the the review board for several months after I applied. I'm thinking 5 months or so? From there, they asked for a few things. I can't recall what kinds of papers (it's been awhile) though. I did have several issues ~ I remember that. After a couple more months, I then received the news that I was approved based on the long-term effects of my untreated E and brain surgery. My long fight with major depression was the other determining factor.

In all, I started getting money from SSI (due to large gaps in work, not enough $income on record) 8 months after I applied. Had my work years been consecutive, it would have been SSDI.

Of course ~ it's worth repeating 50 times...everyone's S.S. experience is different. Each case is looked at individually, taking all factors given into account.

Many of us have been in the same predicament. We need to work, we need the money and/or health benefits! However, we also can't handle working. It is REALLY hard to make it through that time ~ damned if you do, damned if you don't. That's just the way it is every time. I never figured out any ways around that predicament. I just did the best that I could, moment by moment.

Yes gt a lawyer it will take less time,but when you get approved the lawyers will be paid their share, but it is worth it in the long run. Good luck

I will look into the lawyer, I'll probably need one I'm sure, thank you all They sent me a paper asking for job history earlier this week and I send it out yesterday, hopefully it doesn't take years...

My husband said he doesn't want me to look for another job. He knows how I feel and what's going on and thinks I need to just take it easy until things get easier. We were already broke and even though I was only making 400 a month, now it's really going to be tight but he says he doesn't mind we will figure it out, so we'll see