Disability in the USA

I should realistically be on disability, but it's not feasible and it makes me incredibly angry and frustrated, especially with how disability is handled in the USA.

I have a close friend who is Canadian. She suffers from mental health issues and is offered both short and long term disability through her employer, a big insurance company. Throughout her 16 or 17 years of employment with this company, she has been able to take at least 3-4 different leaves of absence while being on disability insurance, as long as I've known her at least. She is soon again taking a long-term leave and will be on long term disability, for however long her doctor sees fit. She earns a smaller amount on the disability insurance, a percentage of her salary, but it's high enough for she and her husband to still get by and afford living in their own condo.

But here in the USA?? I have not worked for an employer to date that offers disability, and to obtain it through the government, it takes years to be approved. Even after you ARE approved, the amount you get monthly is SO meagre, that you are forced to live with parents or family members because it's not enough to live on or get by on your own.

I do not have that luxury. I have no one I could move in with, and I wouldn't want to burden my family in that way, anyways. My husband and I rent a very fair-priced apartment in one of the most expensive US cities. Even if I DID qualify for disability, we would not be able to live, and I couldn't afford my bills or rent.

In the meantime, I have some pretty severe depression and anxiety, I've had multiple traumas over the years, including employment-related trauma, I have had 3 serious hospitalizations, I am on medications, and I suffer greatly yet I work full time and always have. My work suffers as a result, a lot of the time, but I have to just suck it all up and keep showing up at work each and every day.

It's SO unfair. I am really angry at our social services system and at our government for this.

I have been on disability 20 yrs. I had to appeal to get SSDI and I had to wait 6 mths. I receive $1600/mth. My parents help me with finances. If I received less than $1500/mth I don't know what I'd do.

I'm currently in the process of applying for disability myself. After what felt like a lifetime, I'm finally almost done with the entire process. Except it's been a month since my mental health evaluation and still no word about wether or not I can start receiving benefits. I'm applying for mental health reasons and feel I have a strong case but I'm still worried they won't see it that way. If I don't get disability, idk what I'll do since I'm currently far too unstable to work let alone be anywhere near people. It's just convincing complete strangers of that which is the problem..

You’re lucky your parents will help you. I can’t survive on $1600 a month and have no one who could help me. I’m forced to work.

I hope you get it!!!

The other thing is, I’ve now had to take two separate leaves of absence that were unpaid. How many times does this have to happen??

I'm on disability and work part time. I live in a subsidized apartment, it's a nice apt. well maintained. lots of rules though but I live peacefully. I desire ownership but have nearly given up on it with things so costly.

my needs are met, my job allows me to splurge, like I own a descent not awesome but descent car, go out to eat regularly. live life, I keep busy in therapy on my off days minus weekends and pursue big dreams in my free time. I live in the USA.

I qualified for disability years ago was approved right away been off it relapsed now trying to stay on it and figure out achievable goals. ownership is a huge one for me rethinking an educational degree to a higher earning field just so I can own a home. undecided on that at the moment thinking on it right now.

That's great, @Aviza! I am so glad for you that disability has worked out well for you.

I suppose it could possibly work out for me, too, but I am married and have a husband who would be negatively impacted by my going on disability, so it's more complicated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool09 I have been on disability 20 yrs. I had to appeal to get SSDI and I had to wait 6 mths. I receive $1600/mth. My parents help me with finances. If I received less than $1500/mth I don't know what I'd do.

Hi cool, Did you work before you were on SSDI?

I'm curious because I'm on SSDI and get only $251/month. Supposedly I get only that much because I worked part-time at a minimum wage job prior to applying for disability.

Are you still legally married? I think it significantly lowers it if you have a spouse

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966 Are you still legally married? I think it significantly lowers it if you have a spouse

Yep. Bet that's it. Thanks, divine