[lil chickadee]

I'll try to explain briefly:
First, I love my job. Often, it keeps me grounded because it's taking care of others.

I'm a divorced Mom (3 teens). There is child support and alimony (not a lot, but paid on time). I have been working 2 jobs. One is largely for the insurance benefits (about 30 hours a week), the other was a consistent 15, and the highest paying. My 15 hour a week job just moved into a convalescent home. I'm trying to find another client to fill those hours...(but I've lost half my income)

Problem: Due to all my health horrors I miss too much work. It seems like every 2 weeks I can barely get myself together (panic attack, depression, that horrible "oh my what's happening to me make it stop!" feeling).

I was told I might be eligible for unemployment for the loss of my second job. I thought if you work you don't get unemployment.

When do these health problems that keep me out of work so often become eligible for any kind of disability help? Or none?

I know, start asking and researching. If I had the mental where-with-all to research I'd be working instead.

Maybe there are no answers and I'm just ranting. I'm just so angry that I miss so much of a good job (that I'm good at).

[kaliope]

the only thing i know is that i was told by a phd who did evals for disability patients was that you have to be out of work for a year before you can qualify for disability for mental health issues.

are you on meds for your anxiety? i take buspar every day. its not addicting and works very well to get me to work. i use to have anxiety so bad it caused hallucinations. it took that away.

[hvert]

I think Kaliope is right about disability. I would apply for unemployment, just in case, unless you were getting paid under the table for that 15 hours a week job i.e. not paying taxes.

[CosmicRose]

Yes you have to be unemployed for 1 year in order to be eligible for disability benefits. Actually getting the disability benefits in and of itself takes a long time - they usually turn people down a total of 2 or 3 times, before accepting, if at all. After being rejected the second time, you will be able to get in front of a judge to review your case (finally). I think the first couple of times they just review your paperwork automatically. You only have to pay your disability lawyer if you win, though. So take into consideration the year you'll need to not work at all, and the time it takes to actually win a case (could take a total of 1 year or 2 years or longer, there's really no way of knowing).

This (the way the system works) is so scary!

I mean, if we don't have people we can stay with ... Like there is no way in hell I would go back to live with any of my abusive family of origin ... then what? ... I just have to end up homeless until the system I've contributed to all my life decides I meet their unreasonable qualifications?

I'm sorry, but that ain't right!