[gloamingone]

I'm currently receiving food stamps, medicaid, and welfare (some of you may remember that fiasco!). My disability hearing is still several months away. How do people get by financially while waiting on Social Security?

I'm thinking of trying to do a little dog grooming (I'm a former accountant and dog groomer) to make some money, but I'm not sure how that will affect my disability case.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Hello gloamingone: Unfortunately, I can't answer your question. I do understand that eligibility for disability benefits under Social Security is based upon a person's inability to perform any type of work. Assuming this is, in fact, the case were you to begin doing dog grooming (& this became known) I would wonder if it might not be viewed as evidence that you are able to perform gainful employment.

I would think the best thing to do might be to either consult an attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability cases, or see if you can connect with a nonprofit advocacy agency that handles these types of cases. I believe, here in Minnesota, we have an organization called: "Legal Advocacy". I believe they have people on staff who are knowledgeable in this area. There may be something similar where you live. If not, another thought would be to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255). They advertise that you don't have to be suicidal to call. They're there to help with any problem. They may be able to refer you to an organization that is knowledgeable with regard to Social Security Disability benefits.

[JoeS21]

Originally Posted by gloamingone

I'm currently receiving food stamps, medicaid, and welfare (some of you may remember that fiasco!). My disability hearing is still several months away. How do people get by financially while waiting on Social Security?

I'm thinking of trying to do a little dog grooming (I'm a former accountant and dog groomer) to make some money, but I'm not sure how that will affect my disability case.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dog walking
babysitting
tutoring*
participate in a medical research study**
participate in a focus group or market research
banking deals like $100 for opening a new checking account***
Float expenses on credit cards if you think you can pay it back****
Help people move, be a driver, search Craigslist for odd jobs
bartering (if legal)

*some people have used Wyzant to hook them up with clients - if interested google it - there are tutors for everything from reading to knitting - and many parents hire tutors to teach their kids basic stuff - you can tutor over the phone, over video conference, or in person. I've heard of people using Craigslist too, but I think Wyzant draws more business for some reason.

**example is a sleep study where, if selected, you can get paid $4000/month, but I hear those are difficult studies to complete and can leave people exhausted - HOWEVER, there are many other kinds of medical studies from just eating a different diet, to filling out a questionnaire

***there are many websites where deals like this are announced. Fat Wallet is one, which will come up if you google it, then go to the finance forum. Read all small print on banking deals, and I always specifically ask them not to do a hard pull on my credit.

****Last time I was in a financial corner, I found a zero percent apr promo on balance transfers. So, I got a balance transfer check sent to myself which I deposited in my checking account. Then I made the minimum payment each month and didn't pay a dime of interest. After a year, I refinanced the remaining debt onto a new zero percent apr promotion, and by the end of the second year, I had paid it off.

[Rose76]

Technically, doing a few hours of work a week doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it could could lead to a line of questioning that could get you into trouble. This SSA will be obligated to ask, "If you can manage to groom a few pets a week, why couldn't you groom pets on a full time basis? . . . If you can use this talent 6 hours a week, why not 40?" That's an argument you don't want to get into.

Some people literally end up homeless waiting to get disability. I worried about that, myself. Maybe you can groom a few doggies, under the table, for a few bucks to help you out. But I would not advise you to report that to anyone.

After you get on SSDI, the SSA, will allow you to work part time. Even then working part time can lead to the same line of questioning I described above. But they are more lenient about it after you get on SSDI. Your claim will go through with less difficulty, if SSA sees you as unemployable. If you feel you are, you don't want to undermine that perception.

If you are homeless and obviously disabled, some localities will have programs to put you up into a motel room. Those programs are limited and serve the most dire cases first.

[gloamingone]

Hmmmm.... Well, I used to do house call, which is a very calm and low-key type of environment. Because of my PTSD, I can't handle the noises of a grooming salon. I was thinking of doing two dogs a month, which would bring in about $100. I can see the slippery slope, though, even if I would only be working three hours a month.

It's frustrating not being able to work. I still do the nails of a dog twice a month, but half the time I have to reschedule because of panic attacks or a depressive episode. Luckily, the guys who own the dog are very understanding.

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