[newtus]

does attending college online affect ssdi for schizoaffective disorder or food stamps (if i get accepted of course. which its in process right now)?

[Perna]

SSDI is Social Security and based on your past work experience, disability, and your ability to work; food stamps come from local/SSI-related services which is just your disability and income. It gets a little iffy there if you are claiming mental disability (say, depression) and then are taking a full classload, no problem? But just because you are on SSDI/SSI, there's nothing specific saying you cannot go to school.

Can I Start School Full Time While on Disability? | Disability Secrets

I would also think about your funding though; you probably won't qualify for food stamps, for example, if you are able to pay for school in some way? Where is the money for school coming from; that would have to be declared somewhere for SSI I'd think.

[newtus]

well i was thinking about taking 1 class.

i found this on US food and nutrition services site

Most able-bodied students ages 18 through 49 who are enrolled in college or other institutions of higher education at least half time are not eligible for SNAP benefits. However, students may be able to get SNAP benefits if otherwise eligible and they:

• Get public assistance benefits under a Title IV-A program;
• Take part in a State or federally financed work study program;
• Work at least 20 hours a week;
• Are taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 6;
• Are taking care of a dependent household member over the age of 5 but under 12 and do not have adequate child care to enable them to attend school and work a minimum of 20 hours, or to take part in a State or federally financed work study program; or
• Are assigned to or placed in a college or certain other schools through:
  • A program under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,
  • A program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974,
  • An employment and training program under the Food Stamp Act, or
  • An employment and training program operated by a State or local government.
  • Also, a single parent enrolled full time in college and taking care of a dependent household member under the age of 12 can get SNAP benefits if otherwise eligible.

but yes im also on ssdi

[newtus]

i know for a fact i cant do more than 1 class but i need something to do with my time.

edit//
what i mean is i know i dont have the ability to handle the pressure and performance of more than one . even maybe that 1. but what this is all about it finding something to do with my time thats on my own time and small in pressure. i live in a rural area so theres not much to do . theres nothing around here. i would be doing distance class.

[Perna]

And, if you are on SSDI, you are not an "able bodied student", you have a disability. The thing you found is saying you cannot just decide you don't want to work, you want to go to school instead and, oh, while you are at it, please feed me

[newtus]

oooh i see i think now

[(JD)]

Taking one course at a time to help fend off boredom is not a big deal imo, nor should it affect your SSDI imo (but then the rules keep changing... you need to research that online.)

Depression will deepen if you also become bored, for example. Taking a course might help you feel better and help you begin to be more able in the future. There are some places that have college level courses online for free, without credit though, and matriculation fees are still due.

Why not try something that doesn't involve a college, just to see how much you can do without messing up something more permanent that you really need right now?

[newtus]

i tried parks and rec but 15 miles from where i live there is mostly fitness. and then elderly classes and country western dance classes. not interested. but hm idk. theres not much here. i live 15-20 miles from the semi-rural. 30 miles from suburban areas and 50 miles from a city/urban area. im not quite sure what to do.

[Perna]

Online is good; check your state university, they probably have some online classes now and they will count if you ever want to go for a degree. I took 35 years getting my second degree, starting taking online classes right after I got my first degree (only they were still face-to-face classes back then, in the early 70's, as there were only huge academic computers, never mind PC's or the Internet :-) and eventually it all counted toward the second degree I got in 2007.

[newtus]

OMG WOW. 35 years?!