SSI and past drug abuse?

Alright so I have applied for SSI, was denied and am in the process of appealing and already have an appeal hearing set. Problem is in some of my medical records it says I abuse alcohol and am dependent on cannabis...It is actually inaccuate as I do not abuse alcohol I did in the past in an attempt to self medicate PTSD symptoms but now I only drink on rare social occasions.

As for the cannabis it is legalized in my state and I don't really smoke heavily at all...nor do I feel I am dependent it is nice to have since it helps my digestion. I get constipation rather often and general digestive discomfort which it helps but if I don't have it I can always use certain teas or other things. And of course when I talked to the doctor SSI sent me to I admited to experimenting with other drugs in my past. So before I write a novel on this, my question is what is the best course of action so I can get my SSI money without having to go through a payee? Does anyone else have any experiance trying to get on SSI with past 'drug abuse' and is it possible I can still get the money given to me?

Basically I don't think SSI is going to help me unless I get the income and learn to budget it myself its not going to work...if I have to keep a 100% accurate record of everything I buy, the exact amount of money I spent and pre-calculate exaclty how much I need for any activites outside my house I'll go freaking insane. My idea was to get the SSI money, work on learning to budget it so I can afford things I need as well as recreation like concerts and such if I have someone else in charge of how I spend my money how is that going to work? Uhhh so anyways this is stressing me out if anyone has advice it will be appreciated.

Do you have a regular doctor or T that could provide evidence that you aren't dependent now? You should be able to argue that it was a past concern but it's not an issue for you now - similar to what you have said in this post. If you can get reports to back it up it will definitely help your case.

Unless you are underage or legally incompetent, SSA is not likely to appoint a representative payee. If they do, it is that person who will have to do all the reporting/money counting, not you. Social Security - Representative Payee Program - When People Need Help Managing Their Money

Doesn't matter that weed is legal in Colorado; it's Federally illegal and SSA will go by Federal laws/their own rules.

a LOT of people are given representative payees who probably could do without one. One does not need to be declared legally incompetent, they can just be considered unable to handle their own finances... which is basically a judgement of one person when all is said and done. It seems to depend often on diagnosis and the judge's opinion of said diagnosis and then secondarily the individual's actual personal capacity to deal with their own finances.

many who have had past psychotic experiences are given a representative payee- in practice- but they may not have much of a past of irresponsible financial behavior.

I wasn't given one, but I also didnt go into appeal and that can make a difference.

That's basically what legal incompetence is for SSI. If you have not had money/managed money in the past no one is going to give you money to "practice" with? They aren't in the business of educating one to budget money, they are trying to help one get food, shelter and clothing and that's it. If one has mis-managed (bought drugs instead of food) or not worked/had money to manage before, probably whoever has been managing or giving to/supporting one in the past will continue to be doing that.

So, in this response you cherry picked part of a phrase I used. If one bothers to respond it makes sense to respond to what is actually written.
But, ok
If you are just responding to that partial phrase and we are pretending I actually said and suggested all the things you imply in this response?

Financially stupid still doesn't equal legal incompetence. If that were the case, any one who ever found themselves in debt up to their eyeballs would find themselves in mental health court one way or another.

As I said, depending on diagnosis and often firstly on the judges general opinion of the diagnosis then secondarily of station or individual circumstances, one may end up with a rep payee.

Honestly, no matter what the SSA puts in writing, in practice things tend to work differently and it is a lot easier to lose your power of agency to some extent than one might think.

It sucks, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

I was able to talk to the attorney I got for the Appeal about this and according to him there is nothing in my records suggesting I'd be unable to handle my finances. So I am not too worried about it anymore.

I have trouble with manic spending and I made a joint acct with my husband. If you could do that with your mom or a trusted relative. I absolutely think drug & alcohol use can effect approval bc drugs can mimic illness so they don't know if it's purely a mental illness. Alcohol is a depressant pot can cause psychosis or paranoia etc

Good luck.

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I don't really have a trusted relative that would I could do that with. For instance I'd trust my dad but lets just say he doesn't have any kind of banking account and is unlikely to get one. But according to the attorney its unlikely I would be appointed a payee or anything.

But yes the way I understand it is if they determine ones problems are caused by the use of a substance then they'll likely deny it...so the important part is to provide evidence that the issues I have don't come from that. Hence the whole making it clear there has been drug abuse in my history(mostly experementing a bit when I was 20)but its not a current issue and therefore isn't effecting my mental condition. That is essentially the conclusion me and my attorney came to.

I'm sorry you can't use a relative. I know if it's an inheritance you can use a financial advisor, but that won't help here and they take a cut. Make it very clear that your illness is plaguing you in sobriety. I think like 80% of ppl with mental illness self medicate with drugs so it's not out of the ordinary.

Wishing you luck ♥

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There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck