(1) I am on Social Security Disability for a mental disorder.

(2) So I don't have a job.

(3) I have had 3 jobs since I went on Social Security Disability, but I lost them all. My last one was in 2012.

(4) I don't look old enough to be retired. And I don't have any visible disability.

(5) So, the minute I say that I am on disability, I think they will think that I am "crazy" and will be afraid to rent to me.

(6) To be honest, if I was an apartment manager, I wouldn't rent to anyone on disability for a psychiatric disorder (unless I knew them a long time, or had assurances from someone I trust who knew them a long time). An apartment manager must be careful to avoid renting to someone who might cause problems. An apartment manager who rents to bad people can end up losing his job.

(7) Last week I called a man who had an ad on Craigslist for a room he had to rent. On the phone he asked, "What do you do for a living?" I answered, "I am on disability." He asked, "What is your disability?" I answered: "I'd rather not say." Then paused, and mumbled something, and so I asked, "Are you still considering me?" He answered, "No, I'm not." I could tell he was upset. I just hung up. It didn't kill me. But I didn't get the room either. I think this is going to be the way everyone thinks, and I'm never going to find a place to rent!

What a minute...are you looking to rent an apartment, or will you be renting a room in someone's house? What are the laws in St. Louis....here in California it is illegal not to rent to someone because they're on disability.

Originally Posted by Sister Rags

What a minute...are you looking to rent an apartment, or will you be renting a room in someone's house? What are the laws in St. Louis....here in California it is illegal not to rent to someone because they're on disability.

(1) I am really looking for an apartment, not a room. But I think the same problem is there in either case.

(2) Yes, it is against the law to discriminate in housing on the basis of disability and race. But I think such discrimination is RAMPANT. So, I am very intimidated.

(3) I just never tell anyone that I have a psychiatrist illness and that I am on disability for it. Never. I just think it scares people, especially since I am a man. I think females don't scare people as much, since the mass shooters are always male.

(4) But now I am finding it impossible to go and apply for an apartment. I am frozen. I can't talk about my disability. I think I'm never going to find an apartment whether I make applications or not.

I think I can't bear the DOUBLE embarrassment and shame of being a mentally ill AND having no job. In the USA, both of these things are very shameful. People think I am just lazy. Or they think I am a potential mass shooter (I've never been violent; I've never been arrested). Or they think both of these things!

I could really use some suggestions or comments to help me get over my "blockage" on this matter. I really need to get an apartment!

[Sometimes psychotic]

Usually for an apartment they just want to know how much money I make to see if I can afford the rent....they need a credit check etc but I've always rented places that have many buildings in one town so it's sort of a more official streamlined process. If you're looking at rooms there is much more chit chat want to get to know you so it's more complex...I was often a student at the time so I didn't have a job in some cases. People love students...take a free online course and now you're a student...One of the tricks for people on disability is to mention a hobby that can also be considered an occupation...ie do you write, are you an artist....do you work with computers or do photography....you can't list it on a form as a source of income unless you get some that way. When people ask about your job it's a shorthand way of asking who you are so you can just say well I used to do X ....but now I'm doing art...you can even say that your money comes form the government right now....people might just assume it's unemployment and you are looking for something...vague is good...

Some places will need proof of income but a lot of them just run a credit check if that is good you should be fine.

[Vossie42]

You could say you're in between jobs. Do you have to disclose the source of your income? You could say that you're living off of savings. I'm a student and don't work. People ask me what I live on since I don't work. I tell them that I'm living off my savings. How much do you really have to reveal to prospective landlords?

[sabby]

Potential landlords will always make some kind of a judgement call on potential renters, I don't care what the law states. I think the best thing you can do is to sound as professional as possible on the phone and ask them if you can see the apartment/room that is for rent.

When going to see the potential rent, dress appropriately, be clean, shaven, nails clean, you know..the whole gambit. First visual impressions are very important.

Know that even those of us without mental health issues get turned down for rents. I look at it as this, if they don't want to rent to me because I'm on disability for something I'm not willing to discuss and don't have to legally discuss with you, then you are not the landlord for me. If I have good references, look clean, listen well and ask appropriate questions, then what more do they need to know? At least if you are on disability, you have constant income in order to pay your rent. Folks who are working could loose their jobs, they could quit their jobs, they could have to be evicted. You could always play that up as a plus on your end. You can also have a portion of your disability direct deposited to your landlord each month, another great plus!

Keep trying....nothing ventured, nothing gained. We all get turned down for rents and jobs in our lives...it's the nature of the beast. I wish you all the good luck in the world!

ps: I'll bet that room for rent would have been horrid for you anyways, so I think it's a good thing it fell through!

[onionknight]

Last week I called a man who had an ad on Craigslist for a room he had to rent. On the phone he asked, "What do you do for a living?" I answered, "I am on disability." He asked, "What is your disability?" I answered: "I'd rather not say." Then paused, and mumbled something, and so I asked, "Are you still considering me?" He answered, "No, I'm not." I could tell he was upset.

I think this man was a jerk, and you are better off not living with him if he has that attitude. It is his problem if he is hateful and discriminatory. You are just trying to find a place to live so you can live your life. You haven't done anything wrong being on disability or having an illness so don't think that you did!

If you try a larger rental company, the application process may be more informal. They will do a credit check, income verification, but if you have the income, that is what they're concerned about. If a company discriminates, report them.

[The_little_didgee]

I got an apartment when I wasn't in school or working. At the time I told the landlord, I was going to school even though I was in the application process. When I applied, I was on disability, which I did not reveal to the landlord. He was only interested in knowing if I had a steady monthly income or not. I was also asked to provide a character reference and my rental history. After he checked my background, he offered to rent the place to me.

My landlord doesn't know, I have a history of mental illness. He doesn't need to know, because it is a business relationship and I don't cause any problems for him and the other tenants.

References can make a difference, especially when you are on disability. This is when having an immaculate rental history can really help you out. You might also have a better chance with a small rental company or a private landlord. Large property management companies tend to ask a lot more (intrusive) questions. Some even do criminal checks.

[Vossie42]

Sabby and The little didgee have given you very good advice. I'd like to add that when asked why you prefer not to talk about your disability, just say that you don't want to be one of those people who talks about their problems ad nauseam.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by TomThomas

I think I can't bear the DOUBLE embarrassment and shame of being a mentally ill AND having no job. In the USA, both of these things are very shameful. People think I am just lazy. Or they think I am a potential mass shooter (I've never been violent; I've never been arrested). Or they think both of these things!

Hi Tom, I hope you find a nice place soon. Not everyone in the US thinks those things are shameful. I don't. A potential landlord might be thinking of any accommodations you might need like a wheelchair ramp, etc.

[Perna]

When I had no rental history, but a good enough income, my parents still had to guarantee payment and that got me my first apartment. I was there 13 years so for my second rental, the people didn't even blink :-)

Originally Posted by Perna

When I had no rental history, but a good enough income, my parents still had to guarantee payment and that got me my first apartment. I was there 13 years so for my second rental, the people didn't even blink :-)

Thanks. That's good info.

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I got an apartment when I wasn't in school or working. At the time I told the landlord, I was going to school even though I was in the application process. When I applied, I was on disability, which I did not reveal to the landlord. He was only interested in knowing if I had a steady monthly income or not. I was also asked to provide a character reference and my rental history. After he checked my background, he offered to rent the place to me.

My landlord doesn't know, I have a history of mental illness. He doesn't need to know, because it is a business relationship and I don't cause any problems for him and the other tenants.

References can make a difference, especially when you are on disability. This is when having an immaculate rental history can really help you out. You might also have a better chance with a small rental company or a private landlord. Large property management companies tend to ask a lot more (intrusive) questions. Some even do criminal checks.

That is interesting, helpful info. Thanks.

[hvert]

Does your city/town have any sort of rental programs for people on disability? A lot of landlords around here actually *like* renting to people who have section 8 vouchers. The money is guaranteed.

Originally Posted by hvert

Does your city/town have any sort of rental programs for people on disability? A lot of landlords around here actually *like* renting to people who have section 8 vouchers. The money is guaranteed.

Good idea. Thanks. I can't get a Section 8 voucher right now. But maybe I could nevertheless search for landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers. Maybe they will be more open to renting to someone with Social Security disability income.

(1) As you all know, the Number One and universal question among adults is "So, what do you do"? or "What do you do for a living?"

(2) My truth: I have a long history of a serious mental illness. I was put on Social Security disability a number of years ago.

(3) My decision: I'm never again telling all this to any apartment manager or any apartment neighbor. Why? Because I did tell this to a past apartment manager and apartment neighbor, and the result were terrible: endless harassment, bullying, gossiping and spreading of false rumors, and vandalism. To reveal a serious mental illness to ordinary people in a low-income apartment complex is like being a black guy or a gay guy in a white supremacist biker bar.

(4) But, what do I tell my future apartment manager and apartment neighbors? People DEMAND to know what your situation is. You can't tell them nothing. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

P.S. I'd much prefer to live in a cabin in the woods and have no neighbors except for squirrels and bluejays. But I can't imagine how to get such an arrangement.

P.S. I am too old to be a student.

[Ripose]

I have told several people that I provide online computer services and leave it at that. One person I just said "I do computer stuff." and that was all I told him. So far nobody has pressed for more details, I'm not sure what I will say then.

I lived in a cabin in the woods by myself for quite a while, it was great, but the owner died and I had to move.

Originally Posted by Ripose

I have told several people that I provide online computer services and leave it at that. One person I just said "I do computer stuff." and that was all I told him. So far nobody has pressed for more details, I'm not sure what I will say then.

I lived in a cabin in the woods by myself for quite a while, it was great, but the owner died and I had to move.

That's a interesting possibility. Thank you.

[Ripose]

I have epilepsy and COPD so I can tell them those things and never mention my MI. I guess if you don't mind lying you could use epilepsy as a reason for disability and tell them that it is so far well controlled with medication.

I would hate to lie myself but sometimes it becomes necessary.

Or you could go the online student route and actually sign up for some free courses such as in this post

[doyoutrustme]

Can anyone cosign so you don't have to disclose?

Originally Posted by doyoutrustme

Can anyone cosign so you don't have to disclose?

Thank you for mentioning that possibility.

Originally Posted by Ripose

I have epilepsy and COPD so I can tell them those things and never mention my MI. I guess if you don't mind lying you could use epilepsy as a reason for disability and tell them that it is so far well controlled with medication.

I would hate to lie myself but sometimes it becomes necessary.

Or you could go the online student route and actually sign up for some free courses such as in this post

Interesting idea. Thank you for suggesting it.

[Mike_J]

I'm not sure about Dallas, but where I have there is and "Aging and Disability" office where they have people who can help with issues like helping you find a place to live, among other things.