[jbug]

I have a question for those on SSI. Do they look down on you for volunteering? I keep thinking I should do something during the day and have an appointment on Monday to meet with a lady to decide if I'd be a fit for their organization....its a community center that is mainly run by volunteers. Anyway I keep trying to talk myself out of it because I keep thinking if I can do this I should be able to work. I can't work because I have a ton of things going on right now and I tend to miss a lot of work either by not going or leaving early to go to doctor's appointments. I also don't really play well with others. Anyway should I keep this appointment and see if maybe my skills could be used or continue to hole myself up in my apartment?

Janniebug

Something bad must going to happen I feel to damn good.

[ghost]

i don't know about how it works with SSI, but i think volunteering is a *fabulous* idea!!! good for you!

[mj14]

jannie, I'm not on SSI, but a lot of people in my group therapy are, so I've been involved in lots of SSI conversations. I think the only regulations about SSI are for how much paid work you can do. And you can work part-time while on SSI, so being able to spend some time doing a job doesn't negate SSI.

Volunteering has much less stress involved than a paid job, so please don't talk yourself out of giving it a try. It will help give you structure to your day, and contributing to the community can also boost your self-esteem.

Good luck.
mj

<font color=green> If she spins fast enough then maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together, but even a gyroscope can't spin forever</font color=green>

[krzyk101]

Sorry, a little bit of a late reply, though.

I am on SSDI and it has the same as SSI that you can voulenteer as long as you are not getting paid cash money or paycheck.

I too have a goal to someday voulenteer at something when I feel I would be able to commit and show up when I was to be there.

How did it go with the appointment? If you don't voulenteer there there are alot of other places that take voulenteers. Best of luck to you-Chris

______________
~KRIS~

If you think you have totally gave up, you haven't, because you are here!

[(JD)]

Go ahead and try volunteering. It will help you better define what you can and cannot do, and about your stamina too. On the sadder side, you might not be able to do the first volunteering job you try. I've been fired from just such tries.

I've heard what the others are saying, ssi doesn't care as long as you aren't making money... but I think if you end up with skills that could transfer into a real job, with hours of 30 or more a week.. consistently, well then you might need to reevaulate at that time if you might be able to find work that pays.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>