Posted by shellir on January 3, 2002, at 15:36:39
In reply to thank you and a couple of questions, posted by mist on January 3, 2002, at 14:54:00
>
> I really appreciate your responses. There is another thing I'm wondering about. Would any of the agencies that administer disability be contacting my former (most recent) employer?They would have a record of your last employment, if you were getting taxes taken out, so I wouldn't worry that they will call.
> The reason I'm asking is that I'd rather this employer not know I'm applying for disability, because .)
>
> Along those lines, too, is there any way potential future employers could find out?I don't think you really need to worry about that now. There are a million ways to explain unemployed time to a perspective employer and social security would not contact him/her to confirm employment without getting your signature.
>
> Of course, if I can't work, I'll have no other choice, but I'm hoping to be able to find some type of employment. I'm actually feeling somewhat better this month for some reason (possibly due to the 5-HTP I've been taking for a few weeks now). But it's hard to tell if it will last or how long it will take to find something. I think I can make ends meet for a little while longer and maybe try to sign up with a temp agency or something in the meantime.
>
> Thank you again.
I'll give you some feedback from my disabilty time. The advise you were given already is very good. Apply now to get the back payment. If you are rejected the first time, by the time you actually get money, you'll get a large sum. It does take a long time, so don't expect it to solve any immediate financial needs, unfortunately.Disability is difficult to get for depression, especially if you have not been hospitalized. They really don't want to know what you feel like, more what you are able to handle in your daily life. For example, if you can't work, but can do everything else for yourself, they won't give it to you. You need to write that people help you to take care of your house/apartment, getting food, etc. Think of your worst day and what you are not able to do for yourself when you apply. If they give you an appointment with their own psychiatrist, if possible get someone to take you. Say that you have been afraid to drive and can't get around without help.
I'm not really telling you to lie, it's just that disability looks at so many things that really don't relate to work. Yes, I can probably stick a burrito in the microwave when I am very depressed, but that doesn't mean I can tolerate getting to work and staying at work. So I go with saying whatever you need to if you really think that you are either not capable of working, or that working will contribute to your depression right now.
The amount of disability depends on your last pay check and the length of time over the years that you are on record as working and paying into social security. It is possible to legally supplement it (I think you can earn under $500 a month while you're on it). They also have training, as well as incentives to get you back to work. Like as I recall you can work for up to ten months again before you lose your disability, and up to several years before you cannot reinstate it.
For the first application, I would say that doctors and therapists (MDs are higher on the scale of importance than are social workers) are more important than attorneys. My impression is that for the first go-around they don't really contact anyone; for the appeal, then they seem to be awake enough to send forms to your therapist and pdoc.
I do want to reiterate that this is a long process, not a solution to get through a short period of severe depression. If you're not sure, apply anyway, you have nothing to lose and you can always withdraw the application.
Good luck and feel free to ask as many questions as occur to you.
Happy New Year,
Shelli
poster:shellir
thread:16187
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020102/msgs/16232.html