Posted by kiddo on January 3, 2002, at 2:03:21
In reply to Is disability enough to live on?, posted by mist on January 3, 2002, at 0:33:27
HI-
Yes, disability payments are lousy, but if you are receiving no income at all, it would help at least a little. The amount increases if you have dependents though.
I'm not sure what state you live in, and if there are any laws pertaining to the specifics (although it's a Federal thing-but who knows).
There is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI).
It's a very stressful process, drawn out and I'll bet that you are denied the first time around (I was too). First, my pdocs recommendation wasn't enough and they wanted me to be seen by an 'independent therapist' for evaluation. It didn't happen. Her address was 666 xxxxx Street, and I told 'em no way-not there. I also asked them how they expected someone who'd never met me to make a determination better than my psychiatrist of 5 years? They sent him a list of questions and he replied with a 4 page letter. I was approved.
However, they do back pay from the beginning of your determined disability date-which can be the last time you worked.
You are automatically qualified for Medicare when you become legally disabled-regardless of your age. (not Medicaid)
You have to be persistent and not let it get you down though. Keep me posted on how it goes, k?
Hope that helps a bit.
Kiddo
> I'm thinking I might have to go on disability for awhile as my savings have run out and I'm not working. I have found it impossible to sustain any kind of job search because of being depressed.
>
> I have heard the disability payment amounts are very low. I assume the sources I heard this from were talking about a federal disability program although I'm not familiar with what programs exist. (I'm in the US, by the way.) Is it actually enough to live on? Does everyone get the same amount or is there a range of payment levels? Also, how do they determine whether or not you're eligible? And must you have reached the brink of poverty (which I think I have) before you'll be considered?
poster:kiddo
thread:16187
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020102/msgs/16193.html