Help Should I just give up on SSI? (USA)

[ArchmagePrincess]

Sorry, this is like, half a question half venting.

Every step forward I take in this process the more hopeless I feel. As I do research I'm told the system is intentionally designed to get you to give up and that it's even harder to get approved with mental health issues versus physical. I genuinely have too many panic attacks and too much paranoia to even get to a job every day, but it's still this massive hurdle to get onto SSI.

I don't have a family who could house me while I wait the 2-3 years on a decision, and I even consider going to college and using student loans to pay for rent but I'm told going to school at all can hurt your case.

I don't want to be homeless, my paranoia in a shelter would not be something I can tolerate, but I'm not even sure what I'm expected to do. I was trying to look at work-from-home jobs since it might be doable for me, but I've been applying for months and I've barely even gotten the courtesy of rejection emails. Even if I got a job I'm not sure if I could keep it if panic attacks interrupt my work.

I'd rather CTB than become homeless, and I really feel like if I could just get on SSI I'd be able to live an okay life, poverty isn't new to me, but damn every turn seems to be more bad news. I don't even fundamentally dislike life, I just know with my mental health issues being at a homeless shelter would be torture for me.

I wish there was a way I could just survive in poverty in peace, in some dingy apartment, but I feel like that's not even within reach.

 

[unnormal9]

I can't answer this for you, because the fight is not all the same. I haven't (for some reason). though. And I sh everyday because of it.
I don't have any stability without it. And my state's "temporary" version was taken only a month without even giving me proper time to apply for SSI (then).
The sate's A&D is a spit a face to anyone disabled. They expect a phoenix from you, yet they offer chicken feed.

I thought no one cared about this same thing I fight while I'm still alive.

And yeah, it is intentionally that way. They'd rather the disabled die, but instead of being forward, they do it beneath a guise: this current design of theirs.
After all, it's just another burden they don't want to admit.

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

I can't answer this for you, because the fight is not all the same. I haven't (for some reason). though. And I sh everyday because of it.
I don't have any stability without it. And my state's "temporary" version was taken only a month without even giving me proper time to apply for SSI (then).
The sate's A&D is a spit a face to anyone disabled. They expect a phoenix from you, yet they offer chicken feed.

I thought no one cared about this same thing I fight while I'm still alive.

And yeah, it is intentionally that way. They'd rather the disabled die, but instead of being forward, they do it beneath a guise: this current design of theirs.
After all, it's just another burden they don't want to admit.

Yeah, it certainly feels like they'd rather let me die than help even a little bit. It's barbaric they took away help from you after only a month. Depressing, but thank you for your response.

 

[excelsior]

Do you have a lawyer? I heard it's very hard to get approved without one. A friend told me that a good lawyer won't take any money upfront and should take a small percentage of your back pay on approval. It seems these disability lawyers really know what they're doing and should give you a good shot at getting it. I'd recommend https://www.reddit.com/r/disability/ for more information. I hope it will work out for you.

 

[SoftWorries]

I think it's worth it. Did you know that often at shelters or other places that they'll assist you in getting on to it if you can't?

There's various ways to reach people. I had to go to two shelters for two months while waiting to be accepted. I didn't apply before going in and they did most everything for me.

I'm not saying become homeless and wait for this. There are options and people that can help the process along

I wish you much luck x and lots of love. An apartment wouldn't be dingy Long filled with cute plants and nice music

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

Do you have a lawyer? I heard it's very hard to get approved without one. A friend told me that a good lawyer won't take any money upfront and should take a small percentage of your back pay on approval. It seems these disability lawyers really know what they're doing and should give you a good shot at getting it. I'd recommend https://www.reddit.com/r/disability/ for more information. I hope it will work out for you.

I got a lawyer first thing and they're helping me apply. Still takes a long time, and figuring out how to survive while waiting is the hard part. I know the SOAR program exists to help situations like mine and can expedite the process, but idk how to get to their office when I'm too paranoid to leave the house.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

What kinds of medical documentation do you have that you're submitting?

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

What kinds of medical documentation do you have that you're submitting?

I'm honestly not sure yet. The lawyer just asked for a list of mental health professionals I've seen before and their contact information. I'm assuming they'll get documentation from them? I don't really have documentation with me.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

I'm honestly not sure yet. The lawyer just asked for a list of mental health professionals I've seen before and their contact information. I'm assuming they'll get documentation from them? I don't really have documentation with me.

You need evidence to back up your claim that you're too disabled to work.

 

[greenabyss]

Hello, I don't think you should give up on getting SSI. I know 2 people who have been able to get it for mental health reasons and found it helpful. Although they have simple lifestyles, they are able to focus on their peace and health. They are also able to frequently attend mental health support groups, which is where I met them. However, it took both of them years to get and they were rejected multiple times before getting onto SSI. I wish you the best.

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

You need evidence to back up your claim that you're too disabled to work.

What kind of documentation should I ask my current mental health professionals for?

 

[unnormal9]

Yeah, it certainly feels like they'd rather let me die than help even a little bit. It's barbaric they took away help from you after only a month. Depressing, but thank you for your response.

Do you have a lawyer? I heard it's very hard to get approved without one. A friend told me that a good lawyer won't take any money upfront and should take a small percentage of your back pay on approval. It seems these disability lawyers really know what they're doing and should give you a good shot at getting it. I'd recommend https://www.reddit.com/r/disability/ for more information. I hope it will work out for you.

A. can't afford
b,. so they can take all of your SSI backpay? fuck that. fuck taking even 15% of it. that fight is treacherous, you want it all, not part of it.

(oh he linked the decrepit site,) at least link something helpful. (right it doesn't exist, hence this grueling fight)

You need evidence to back up your claim that you're too disabled to work.

oh? is medical records and court order psych stays not enough for them?
so they want to put someone who will use the workplace as the ultimate place to kill themselves on the job everyday, especially if its with a lot of unique objects; stop, take off work (because now in the psych ward) get out, reattempt on the job suicide again, and again, and again and again. that's considering "still being able to work?" Hmm? Employers can deal with that every single day? and then it happens, suicide success on the job, because I was otherwise "not too disabled to work".
They will learn either way, apparently the hard way, now employers dealing with a death on the job. because SSI said this one could be there still, despite the mountain of medical record evidence.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

What kind of documentation should I ask my current mental health professionals for?

Basically anything and everything. It would be helpful if one of the clinicians you saw could write a letter attesting to your impairment to bolster your case.

oh? is medical records and court order psych stays not enough for them?

It should be enough but they're still very picky about it...

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

Basically anything and everything. It would be helpful if one of the clinicians you saw could write a letter attesting to your impairment to bolster your case.

It should be enough but they're still very picky about it...

Thanks for your help. I'll ask my current therapist for a letter.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

Thanks for your help. I'll ask my current therapist for a letter.

They have to make you sound really messed up to really emphasize how much trouble you have. So keep in mind if you read it and you sound terrible that that's just to strengthen your case in the eyes of the disability adjudicator.

 

[unnormal9]

Thanks for your help. I'll ask my current therapist for a letter.

Make sure it include all diagnoses.

Basically anything and everything. It would be helpful if one of the clinicians you saw could write a letter attesting to your impairment to bolster your case.

It should be enough but they're still very picky about it...

If my impulsive doesn't happen, that would be the final nail in the coffin.

 

[nerve]

detecting some people talking out of their ass in this thread :v

when i was applying for ssi, my lawyer asked for names and contact info for all the places ive been and people ive seen too. a big part of their job is gathering that evidence. you dont have to do that yourself and if youre applying for ssi b/c of chronic illness of any kind, it's probably not worth straining yourself to get that info because it's such a giant hassle, lawyers get paid to do it.

 

[unnormal9]

detecting some people talking out of their ass in this thread :v

when i was applying for ssi, my lawyer asked for names and contact info for all the places ive been and people ive seen too. a big part of their job is gathering that evidence. you dont have to do that yourself and if youre applying for ssi b/c of chronic illness of any kind, it's probably not worth straining yourself to get that info because it's such a giant hassle, lawyers get paid to do it.

I only see one; the serpent coiled before me. Need a mirror?
Chronic illness and real diagnosis and medical records is what its looking for. Fuck all that other bullshit.
Of course know lawyers get paid to do shit, taking ssi is their biggest motivator. leaving you with chicken feed.

 

[nerve]

I only see one; the serpent coiled before me. Need a mirror?
Chronic illness and real diagnosis and medical records is what its looking for. Fuck all that other bullshit.
Of course know lawyers get paid to do shit, taking ssi is their biggest motivator. leaving you with chicken feed.

i mean my lawyer got me (and most other people) approved much quicker and easier than i ever could have on my own so shrug! theyre not running a charity.

 

[sulli]

i gave up after being denied once because they force you to have someone who lives with you fill out another copy of the questions about your day to day life and having to work with my abuser to do that just traumatized me all over again i'm ready to die rather than go through that for one more second

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

i gave up after being denied once because they force you to have someone who lives with you fill out another copy of the questions about your day to day life and having to work with my abuser to do that just traumatized me all over again i'm ready to die rather than go through that for one more second

That sounds awful if you're living with an abuser. I'm thankfully moved out of my abusive parents' house and my friend I'm couch surfing with would fill that part out, but I couldn't imagine how terrible it'd be trying to work with an abuser on it.

 

[unnormal9]

i gave up after being denied once because they force you to have someone who lives with you fill out another copy of the questions about your day to day life and having to work with my abuser to do that just traumatized me all over again i'm ready to die rather than go through that for one more second

Hell no. No fucking way. Do they not realize that not everyone has anyone? I left my ex and become homeless, i regret but i did it, so there is not one elsew./
i already appealed had the phone introvert ssi on march 21; already did the medical parts do (the hard part) again ion my own, included all the diagnosis, and of course the records ysch stays and fucked up nature of a suicidal schizo. if this happens i have no doubt it wil set of my suicide impulses and the car method ive been thinking about will be my method. either way i'll be having a slow drawn out death .
ironic they force one to lvie yet they give no real benefit to staying alive.

i mean my lawyer got me (and most other people) approved much quicker and easier than i ever could have on my own so shrug! theyre not running a charity.

after the grueling fight your victory is to be compensated in full,, not through pennies' chicken feed. as long as i'm still alive apparently i'm blindly fighting this fight to no end

That sounds awful if you're living with an abuser. I'm thankfully moved out of my abusive parents' house and my friend I'm couch surfing with would fill that part out, but I couldn't imagine how terrible it'd be trying to work with an abuser on it.

 

[sulli]

ironic they force one to lvie yet they give no real benefit to staying alive.

exactly, if they want me to die rather than cost them any money so bad they better just make N over the counter already

 

[nerve]

after the grueling fight your victory is to be compensated in full,, not through pennies' chicken feed. as long as i'm still alive apparently i'm blindly fighting this fight to no end

it actually wasnt a very grueling fight for me because i had 15ish years of documentation of severe mental illness. the hard part was collecting it all. i was approved after my reconsideration, which only happens like 10% of the time. my lawyer got i believe 20% of my backpay, i received the rest, which was literally thousands of dollars. i dont have to pay royalties to my lawyer, he doesnt get any cut of the ssi im currently receiving, and we havent interacted since i learned i was approved so im not sure what you mean here by pennies and chicken feed.

by all means, its your right to fight this alone if you want to, it just sounds like you may have some preconceived notions about the process that could make it harder for you to be approved.

 

[hag]

Thanks for your help. I'll ask my current therapist for a letter.

Your attorney and the Social Security office will get all your records. You don't need to physically have them yourself. Just make sure you've given your attorney all the names and contact info for the therapists etc that you've seen.

Social Security will probably also have you see one of their doctors for a session. It's no big deal. They're just rubber stamping everything. And they will come to you so don't worry about getting to their office.

With SOAR, try calling their office for your state, and explain that you can't leave your home.

Also consider calling your local office for NAMI and SAMSA and see what resources they can help with.

(A family member went through all this a few years ago. That's how I know about this stuff.)

Much love to you. I know it's tough.

 

[unnormal9]

exactly, if they want me to die rather than cost them any money so bad they better just make N over the counter already

simple and quick too, don't need anymore prolonged pain that's for certain

it actually wasnt a very grueling fight for me because i had 15ish years of documentation of severe mental illness. the hard part was collecting it all. i was approved after my reconsideration, which only happens like 10% of the time. my lawyer got i believe 20% of my backpay, i received the rest, which was literally thousands of dollars. i dont have to pay royalties to my lawyer, he doesnt get any cut of the ssi im currently receiving, and we havent interacted since i learned i was approved so im not sure what you mean here by pennies and chicken feed.

by all means, its your right to fight this alone if you want to, it just sounds like you may have some preconceived notions about the process that could make it harder for you to be approved.

What the—!? Gloating? Yeah others may not have that long but pain and illness is eternal; the feeling just in itself!
That's 20% less, considering he took it! 20% from a grand amount is still an amount.

Quick math:
Backpay is $7000, they take 20%, that's $1400 gone—bullshit. you know how many development assets can be created with that alone?
What perceived notions i haven't notioned anything about their process as i'm still in in the midst of it!
And no I don't intend on fighting it any longer than I have already should it end exactly how you think apparently. I will ctb when that nail is hammered into the coffin.

Chicken feed term: (pitifully low amount)
State A&D aka Cash Asstiance = $248 a month (or lower, you know the state don't give a fuck about disabled either, worse than the government) to a disabled, not even direct deposited. Taken away after only one month — not giving me any time to even appeal SSI from the moment the sent the email (that same day), knowing SSI takes a long time.

SSI (not including backpay, if the fight was long enough + whatever amount they set you for) Max is ~$917 a month, but they will do everything they can to give a disable 1/5 of that; $277 a month likely.

They expect a phoenix, yet they offer chicken feed.
Let the disabled die poor and alone, I see the serpent coiled before me. And no UBI here!

Also consider calling your local office for NAMI and SAMSA and see what resources they can help with.

Keep that reddit-esque shit over there. Don't want more psych wards stays with no benefit to a case.
My case workers constantly ghosts me and this is the help and resources you and that NAMI shit direct to.

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

Your attorney and the Social Security office will get all your records. You don't need to physically have them yourself. Just make sure you've given your attorney all the names and contact info for the therapists etc that you've seen.

Social Security will probably also have you see one of their doctors for a session. It's no big deal. They're just rubber stamping everything. And they will come to you so don't worry about getting to their office.

With SOAR, try calling their office for your state, and explain that you can't leave your home.

Also consider calling your local office for NAMI and SAMSA and see what resources they can help with.

(A family member went through all this a few years ago. That's how I know about this stuff.)

Much love to you. I know it's tough.

Yeah, the lawyers made it seem like they'd just get the info themselves but others here said I needed to have evidence with me. I think now I understand they will grab the information.

I really should've thought of this myself with SOAR I guess I was too stressed lol. I'll go and tell them I have trouble leaving the house cause of my paranoia the next time I try to call.

I'm not familiar with NAMI or SAMSHSA, would calling them be able to help me with my housing situation at all?

 

[hag]

I'm not familiar with NAMI or SAMSHSA, would calling them be able to help me with my housing situation at a

From the main NAMI website, you can find your local NAMI. Then on your local NAMI website there's a listing of housing resources in your area.

Also google for your state's Center for Independent Living, and on that website you should be able to find your local CIL. They can help with resources for housing. Both NAMI and CIL can help with other resources for the interim until you get your SSI.

There's also your state's and county's department for disabled. You may have to go through their department for seniors. Some states and counties lump disabled under seniors. Just ask if their senior resources include disabled under 65 years old.

Much love to you. I'll be thinking of you.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

Yeah, the lawyers made it seem like they'd just get the info themselves but others here said I needed to have evidence with me. I think now I understand they will grab the information.

I really should've thought of this myself with SOAR I guess I was too stressed lol. I'll go and tell them I have trouble leaving the house cause of my paranoia the next time I try to call.

I'm not familiar with NAMI or SAMSHSA, would calling them be able to help me with my housing situation at all?

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that *you* yourself had to gather the information, just that the SSA needed to see it

 

[ArchmagePrincess]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that *you* yourself had to gather the information, just that the SSA needed to see it

No biggie just misunderstood. Still appreciate the responses.