[Evil_Karot]

I'm filling out paperwork for a lawyer to help me get SSDI. My doctor will not release me to work more than 20 hrs a week. I was wondering if anyone here has experienced getting or trying to get SSDI for schizoaffective disorder and working part time.

[~Christina]

I know there is a limit of how much money you can make working while on disabilty. Your Lawyers office will know the amount.

Good luck with your disability process . It can sometimes take a long time. Altho some people get approved rather quickly. I know the more documentation about how your MI effects your daily living the better.

[anneo59]

If you have any documented medical treatments or documentation that would fit going back a while historically, that would help. Also, don't know what's current, but in past docs, usu with extra funds or on payment plan, would do you a RFC, forget exactly what that means, something to do with residual functioning. Then, if you have any family, friends, associates, workplace associates who could write attesting to your difficulties, that might help. Be sure to research current practices, tho, and consult attorney, professionals, if helpful. Good luck!

[Evil_Karot]

Just turned the paperwork into my lawyer today to help in applying for SSDI. SSDI told me that it could take up to 3-4 months before a decision is made! I truly hope it doesn't take THAT long!

[newtus]

i am on SSDI for schizoaffective. i got in 2 1/2 months with no lawyer. on the first try. i WOULD say i got lucky ..and maybe to some extent i did. but i had continuous documentation spanning more than 5 years of having the schizoaffective diagnosis from multiple doctors and hospitals.

i did see somwhere about how much you can make but since im not looking for a job right now i dont remember wher i saw that or when. not too long ago. ive only had SSDI for a year. but it also dependson your situation.

[Evil_Karot]

Yeah, I'm working 20 hrs a week now. That is all my doctor will release me to work right now. I truly hope that doesn't prevent me from getting SSDI.

[Tamster]

i get ssdi with schizoaffective disorder with hallucinations I have not been able to work due to that illness falling in with the schizophrenic group and you are considered unable to carry a job i belive . Now I could be wrong but your attorney should be able to answer that easily. Good Luck to you. Peace, Sam

[nicoleb2]

usually, to GET ssdi, you have to be unable to work at all, at least that's my understanding. Once you are ON ssdi, they have strict limits of how much you can earn, and still get a portion of your original SSDI

[happiedasiy]

Originally Posted by Evil_Karot

Yeah, I'm working 20 hrs a week now. That is all my doctor will release me to work right now. I truly hope that doesn't prevent me from getting SSDI.

If you can work 20 hours a week then you can work a part time job fully.
Anything less than 20 hours is better.

[Evil_Karot]

I'm having one heck of a time working even those hours!

[happiedasiy]

Originally Posted by Evil_Karot

I'm having one heck of a time working even those hours!

Then you should state this. It is important, why is working all 20 hours too hard for you, how does it affect your body/state of mind?

1st trick You walk into dr office and someone greets you cheeringly cheeky and says "Good morning, how are you. " And we commonly reply,"fine, good, okay."
You need to say how you feel.
H.

[Evil_Karot]

I try to tell my pdoc about the trouble I've been having. He increases my meds and says that I'll get better. I truly hope I qualify for SSDI, I can't live off of part time hours!

[LL31]

I was working for about 3 months, 16 hours a week (4X4 in the evening) and on perphenazine 4 mg (the only med I will take, but that's another (scary) story). I started having terrible side effects, dyskensia, which my doctor noticed before I did and gave me benztropine 1 mg. I didn't like the side effects of that med either, so I decided to stop taking it or as needed, as well as, my perphenzine, but not for too long! Turns out, that the anti-psychotic was making my muscles so tense that I was getting sick before work. I almost quit my job, but that was not an option, so I cut my pills in half and that seemed to help. Now, I only take 1 mg of perphenazine. I'm feeling as good as I can, maybe even normal, but I'm not sure anymore what that is, and working just enough to make me feel useful and stable, plus the little bit of money I make really helps with that too. I also get a bit of exercise from my job.

I stumbled on to this thread, because I hate feeling like I can't accomplish what I wish I could. I hate being "disabled." I wish, I could have a fulfilling life, but I do, right? I mean, I might not be a doctor, but...I've kind of accepted the fact that I have a life-long disabling illness, but it's tough. If it wasn't for the assistance from the government and my family, I don't know where I would be!! Also, watching people hold down a job through their problems helps. I've struggled for over ten years, I'm 30. We'll see when my next episode comes on, I may not have a job...I don't want to let them down either. The law is you have to work for one year, before you can have any medical leave, up to 12 weeks. I've never been able to work for over a year straight. Pray for me lol, I got the job at the end of my last episode (the meds helping a little? yay)