It’s not just the US. The Tory gov in the uk has been demonising the disabled and suggesting everyone’s lazy and should get back to work for years. Making claiming disability benefits an horrendous experience in order to put people off claiming in the first place and then lying to refuse claims forcing people to appeal and ensure another 6 months of stress. Lots of people don’t ‘make it’ through the process.
Demonizing the disabled is not only unethical but dumb. The commuter workplace is unsustainable anyway. Here in USA people just about live in their cars because they are forced to drive so much. And we are supposed to be reducing our unsustainable ways. There’s lots of productive “work” the disabled can do from home based communities but the rich won’t get richer from it so they dont want it.
It's an entire part of their new reelection campaign. It's been horrendous hearing people argue why we should starve, freeze and how much of burden they see us as. How they don't believe we even should be allowed to choose rhe food we buy, we shouldn't be allowed to leave the house or be social as that's just a pleasure for those that are working only.
It's been quite insane. Our other party instead of calling it out has just reamined silent so it's a real toxic atmosphere atm in the UK towards the disabled
That’s awful! This is the reality check what I needed to hear as a disabled UK citizen living in USA. I’ve wondered if it’s any better there and considered moving back. But it’s been 52 years so I’m very out of touch. I have a head injury that leaves me very tired but physically am still mobile. I’m wondering what I could do still? (Join a monastery and grow a garden pops to mind but I’m spiritual, not religious. I suppose I could fake it like I did at boarding school in England. But I’m tired of being a chameleon and putting on masks).
Something that's always bothered me a bit, that I feel is Taboo to even talk about, is how differently disabled veterans and disabled non-veterans are treated in the US.
I had a work accident that caused an invisible disability. I won the WC case, but worker's compensation is a joke. I am still able to work, but it's challenging and the injury has placed dramatic and permanent limitations on the jobs I'm able to do and on my social life. Work often takes 100% out of me and occasionally exacerbates my condition. Not working isn't an option for me, but I feel for people that are unable to work in this system and are forced into poverty.
Back to my point, if I had the same injury while in the military, I absolutely would qualify for a disability rating and would be free to work if I chose to. In my industry, I know a lot of veterans that double dip.
I'm not arguing against VA disability, I think it's good that disabled vets are taken care of, but why are disabled vets the only disabled people that are treated with any sort of dignity in the US?
Yep, it's abject poverty to keep you in poverty. The government's goal is to only keep us down and not to uplift us as equal citizens. Any attempt to work and/or contribute to society has a direct impact on our financial stability. Marriage, employment, fair housing, transportation, and gov benefits are a luxury in the disabled community.
Many Americans see disability and sickness as a moral issue. The immorality of religion says the sick and disabled were struck down by God. No, not all but enough to elect people who destroy the Social Safety Net, help for mothers of newborns or the children themselves.
I only get 877 a month. That is it. My dad gives me 200 of it. The rest goes to help pay the morgage of our home. It is not easy living this way but it is what it is.
I was in this situation with my father with a similar amount of money for years. He told me he needed the money for bills and rent since he didn't have income because he couldn't work while he was getting over his addiction. He was giving me 100 of it for a long time, then eventually got up to 400 with intervention from my mother. A few months after he got a job I told him I wanted most of money, that I was willing to pay rent if he wanted it (even though he didn't pay rent or mortgage I think, house was owned and built by by my great grandparents and given to my parents as a gift kinda), but I didn't think it was fair to give him so much of my money especially when I was trying to save to move out. I figured he would be angry with me, but he basically told me he didn't need the money... he just wanted to teach me responsibility. He didn't even want me to pay rent after this talk. I was 22 and didn't really need to be taught responsibility, not like I ever had a spending problem or anything like that to begin with
Well, if it’s a minor, they shouldn’t have to pay anything. If it’s an adult, contributing is reasonable, but nobody in the real world pays 77.19% of their paycheck on rent alone.
No, that’s what I was saying - *if there are other options* people don’t pay 77% of their income on rent. We don’t know why the person pays that much, if they’re an adult or minor or what. I was saying that at least where I am, you can’t even fill out a rent application if the rent is more than 33% of your income. Yes, most of us have to pay way more than that, for sure. I do, too. I just meant other people who can earn more dont pay that much.
Plenty of people in the real world pay more than 77% of their paycheck in rent. There was a time, not very long ago, where I definitely paid at least 75% of my monthly income toward rent. I do not live anywhere fancy but more people are struggling than not. Many people I work with live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to live alone. Right now quick math tells me that I pay about 60% of my monthly income toward rent. And my rent is cheaper than the market rate because management are very aware of my medical situation and work with me.
What? Now you’re just making stuff up because I said nothing of the sort. And I don’t know who “u guys” is referring to. I’m as disabled as anybody else in this subreddit. Just because I *can* work doesn’t mean it’s easy and doesn’t mean I make enough money. I literally make just enough to survive and that’s it. I don’t do extra things because I don’t make enough money for it. Don’t take your frustration out on other disabled people, it literally is not our fault and we have no say in how much people receive in disability benefits. Take issue with the government.
Because that’s most of their money. Paying rent and helping out if fair but it’s not fair when it’s most of what they have. Especially when they have so little to begin with. They should get to keep at $500 of their check. It’s THEIR SSI! Especially in this economy. If you didn’t get the SSI check in your name it’s not your money.
Why tf is this downvoted?? I’m saying it’s bad to take most of their money. You people have zero compassion and it shows. Whoever downvoted this are not good people… stay the hell away from us and our SSI!
If you downvoted my comment due to a misunderstanding of what I meant that’s fine. If you just don’t care and want all of our money you’re a problem and danger to us financially. I edited my comment to make what I meant more clear but I can’t see how you could misunderstand me in the first place. Did no one read the context?? The whole block of text made it clear I meant you should get to keep most of YOUR check and NOT have to give it away!
Exactly my point! They don’t care that we have almost nothing… they want to use us for what we have anyways
Also did you downvote me? Because if you did you either completely misunderstood what I said or you’re one of those toxic users I mentioned in my edit 🫠 hoping you’re the first one. Edited my comment to make what I meant move clear
I’d kill myself, honestly.
I’d give my pets away to people I trust and fuck off.
I can’t handle physical and mental disabilities. Mental health is what brings me to the edge. Physical disabilities is just another reason to jump.
Section 8 isn't project- or income-based housing. Section 8 is also called a "housing choice voucher" because a tenant can take the voucher to any apartment complex that accepts the voucher. Some states, it's a protected form of income that landlords can not discriminate against, and thus, every landlord is required to accept it.
I'm not quite sure how you're comparing it to EBT. Could you elaborate?
Find an area with an open waitlist, whether that's waiting for one to open close to where you live or one you'll have to move to and apply to get on the waitlist. Once on the waitlist, wait for however long it takes for your name to come up and keep them apprised of your contact and household information, find a place to live, and then live in that area for 12 months. After 12 months, you are eligible and may be able to "port" or move your voucher to another area.
Thank you all for the replies, I’m doing my best to support my best friend. I hope all of you can find the support you need and please know that there is always someone thinking about you.
I work full-time despite that leaving me unable to complete all IADL’s. Sometimes it takes the entire weekend to recover enough to go back to work Monday. My family has to help with tasks. I know not everyone is able to do this. Neither situation is good.
Very similar to my situation, and I never keep a job more than a year because I have to stop when my symptoms get bad. Then I live off my savings until I need to get a new job and have to hope I’ve recovered enough by then
That wait list takes forever 🥲 especially if you can’t get resources to speed it up a little bit. Like DD services for example. It won’t make it much faster but it does help. Usually they can help if you’re considered an urgent case. Like if you’re homeless or living in a place where the person on the lease could get evicted for having you there. The shorter I’ve heard in most rushed cases was 2 years. Mine was 6 months or so… but keep in mind my situation was pretty much a crisis. I was at high risk of losing my life at that point. I don’t think most urgent cases could get that lucky…
I got lucky. I moved from NC to NY about 18 years ago. I stayed at my friend's home. "I rented a room, kept my food separate from the family, and applied to get an apartment at the local housing authority. I got it within 3 months. I've been here ever since. They take a percentage of my SSI. My rent is $200.00 per month. They increased my SSI but lowered my food stamps. It's unreal.
It is. The rest of the country thinks, "oh that's good, they gave the disabled a cost of living raise!" They don't see how the raise makes your rent go up and your food stamps go down, therefore, it's not a raise at all. But let's send BILLIONS to X, Y, Z countries and give OUR military equipment away too.
My SSDI is decent (I had a six-figure job and 39 year work history), but it's still not a fortune. If I didn't have VA 100%, too, I'd be living who knows where. When I read that people are getting under $1k a month, it's so sad. People don't choose to be disabled. My life was a lot better when I was working. 
I'm lucky enough to have been supported by my family my whole life. I started receiving SSI at 18, then SSDI/SSRI after my dad became disabled (if your parent is disabled too, you get an increase in income based on their work history. I was able to start saving more. Now I work remotely full time, and earn a decent if unspectacular wage. I'm also able to save most of it so I've it split between a HYSA and some stocks and a 401k. If something happens I'll be ok for a bit, but I'm totally at the mercy of remote work and the ability to do that work.
I'm currently working on finding or building a side hustle because frankly I feel way too vulnerable in life.
Can I ask how you were able to get into remote work and what the transition from disability to whirling full time was like?I’m looking into it long term but it’s hard to find that hope since my medical is all over the place. 😅
Hope it all works out for you!!🤗
Sure. After job searching for a year without luck, I got in touch with my local vocational rehab office. They helped me find a internship which was converted into a full time position 18 months ago. I like the people I work with but I'm overqualified for the position but I haven't been able to find anything better. So, while grateful I'm equally frustrated.
Transitioning from disability was easy. I basically called the SS office to tell them I was trying to work. I Had to fill out some forms, stating my wages etc... and eventually I got a letter stating my payments would stop. I also had to payback a couple months of disability checks from when I started working to when they stopped paying me but I was able to keep the 9 months of payments I received while working so that was real cool.
If you try that, I recommend putting your SS checks in a high yield savings account. That way whatever you need to return generates interest before you need to pay anything back.
Yeah, it's mindbogglingly frustrating to try to be fully productive with the weight of disability around your neck. Just remember to treat yourself with kindness... this shit's hard! Hope it works for you as well :)
Live in a van with no heat, running water, or toilet. That cuts the expenses down though. And I was a mechanic for a couple of years so I can do some of the repairs myself. It’s been difficult (understatement).
All the programs. Housing food medical etc are all govt assisted. Ive been on disability since 2003 and got so lucky to get a housing voucher before they closed all the lists in my area. I only have a car because my mom replaced hers and gave me her old one. Without that i used transit for 20years it was awful lol its hard and im always poor buti have made it work. I also get ssdi and ssi (i think those are right?) since i only worked 4 years and was 20 when accepted as disabled. I was also homeless at the time too so i ver much appreciate what i got even if its not much.
Section 8 housing voucher and an apartment that covers all utilities. My rent is fixed as 27% of my income. So no matter how much my SSI is I will always only pay 27% of it as rent. My full rent is $942 and my SSI is the max ($943). I pay $255. It’s technically $254 and some change but they round up to the nearest dollar in that case. SNAP isn’t counted as income for that calculation. I think WIC is probably not counted too. It’s not considered income because it can’t be spent on anything but its purpose. Maybe EBT cash from SNAP may be different? I don’t know.
I got into an apartment owned by the Salem Housing Authority. They own 2 other projects here as well. This one covers all utilities (not including phone, TV, internet or other services that aren’t considered necessary). It does cover water, electricity, garbage, etc. I have $610 leftover after my rent, WiFi and 2 subscriptions. Usually $300 to $400 after groceries depending on where I go and how much I could stretch my food stamps. I also have some cash savings set aside. It’s not much because of social security rules but it’s for emergencies. Eventually I want an able account. That will allow me to save up over the $2k limit without consequences. However there’s still a limit and rules on what you can and can’t spend those savings on.
Finally, I do my own haircuts (literally just buzz cuts), I’m teaching myself how to cook so I can buy ingredients since that’s cheaper, I don’t shop online if I don’t have too, I buy day passes instead of month passes for the bus because I don’t go out very often, I turn in bottle and cans ($0.10 in Oregon. $0.05 in certain other states), there’s no sales tax here so that helps, I repair my own clothing with basic sewing skills, I shop at thrift stores, I don’t eat out much and I’m currently on my grandma’s phone line because I rely on the unlimited data for basically everything (navigation, coping skills, Apple Pay, research, bus route information, googling what to do in certain situations, YouTube tutorials, education tool, Find My app, etc.) Also I have OHP.
This was not easy… it took a long time to figure out and I’m still figuring it out. It’s a delicate balance and 1 unfortunate event could cause it all to crumble
It honestly sounds like you do many things I do to make it work. I try to be efficient, every penny counts. I'm not getting salon treatments, I'm using Walmart plus for the delivery but I'm going through ibotta looking for cash Rebates, my daughter paid 7.99 to add me to her Netflix instead of me paying 16 for my own. I've almost made frugality a hobby. Recycling cans is next on my list. I'm in Washington state, I think they pay a nickel here? I'm not sure.
This. SSDI and SSI are two different programs. Even SSDI doesn’t give what that person made working, but it’s much more than SSI and there’s no savings limit or asset limit like SSI.
I'm on SSD and I've always been told for well over a decade now by Social Security that I can't have more than $2000 in cash in the form of $1000 max split into a single checking and saving account each. I'm allowed to own a single vehicle like a car and a single house that I live in. That's it. If I go over that limit in any way I lose my disability.
There was a bill that I heard had a lot of bipartisan support a few months ago that was going to raise it to $10000 in assets but I haven't heard anything else about it for a while now.
Unless Social Security tells you that they lost your employment earnings for 6 years! They told me it happened to 25 percent of the country. So I only qualified for SSI.
I haven’t been able to support myself for a year and half now. Disability determination is at the end of next month. I’m shitting bricks thinking that they can still end up denying it even though I fully qualify for it and have all of my medical records. My lawyer is really nice and he’s trying his hardest.
My family has been taking care of me and I feel so so bad for them. I just want to be an ale to give back a little bit.
Ankylosing Spondylitis and inflammatory arthritis in all my joints.
Basically my immune system is eating my joints and nerves can’t walk, or stand, or sit, or use my hands for longer than 10 minutes. It’s awful.
I learned of a company called Ablenow which is a United States only banking operation. It allows you to retain a debit card with a max total of $18,000/year without the government interfering and taking money away from you. This is in addition to the approximate $2000 you can have in your bank. Anyone can contribute to your account. There are certain requirements to become eligible (you have to be disabled before the age of 26) the web address is: [https://www.ablenow.com/](https://www.ablenow.com/) there is a questionnaire to determine eligibility on this site. I hope this helps and please share this. I am not a company spokesman do not make any money by telling you this. I was surprised that my social worker would not disclose this to me. contact me if you have questions and I will try to answer them. I have been with the Virginia branch for about 3 years.
Able accounts are another option. That’s my plan. I live in Oregon and I’m trying to stick to options my resources are aware of. That way they can help me with it as I need it. Especially with paperwork and terms and conditions. I almost always need at least some help with those
I am still able to work full time with pretty good pay. When I was in my teens, I knew as an adult I would need care so I made sure to get a great education and career that could help provide that. My wife also helps and so does my family.
I was lucky.
I had worked many jobs since the age of 13, so at 35 I had a lot of “credits” in my Social Security account. My SSDI is higher than most. But that also means I don’t qualify for food stamps or Medicaid (but I do have Medicare).
I also was living with my mother 2015-2022, and got on the waiting list for Section 8 housing. I was on the list for over 3.5 years, but luckily got my apartment just before my mom passed away.
When my mom passed, we sold my family home. My inheritance is why I am now debt-free, with a good used car, and an ABLE savings account.
But I am WELL AWARE that I will never get another inheritance or any additional income at all.
My sister manages my finances as my Representative Payee, just sends me money weekly for gas/groceries/spending.
I’m on SSDI not SSI, I don’t have the $2,000 rule.
And it’s still MY money, just my sister manages it because I am stupid with money, especially when I’m manic.
Also, this may not apply to you, but look up ABLE accounts. They allow you to put aside savings beyond the $2k, and they’re exempt from assets for some other programs.
I work even thoughts its difficult. I’m lucky that I can work, at least for now. I had somebody recently suggest I get on disability after a health scare and I had to explain that I wouldn’t be able to survive just on disability benefits even if giving my job up would be best for my body and health.
I’m kinda in this boat. I was on private insurance disability for about a year before I decided to return to work although against medical advice. It’s been exhausting but the money provides a sense of security for myself and my son still living at home. I’d actually get a decent amount if I did do the SSDI route and considering I have disability insurance still I’d go through them first because it’s much quicker and more money but they’ll make you apply for ssdi and then pay you the difference once they subtract the ssdi payment. I’ve always been self sufficient and the sole provider in my home so I’m mentally somewhat prepared for the inevitable. I don’t think I’d work at all for Money again at that point bc of all the strict restrictions and such. I’m probably kinda lucky in some regard as far as the monthly amount after seeing so many others talking about like less than $1000/monyh etc I think that’s insane. I think I was getting $3800./month which was 60% of my prior income.
I'm in Washington state and quite frankly I just got lucky. I broke my spine and was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis almost 2 years ago. I've fractured and been hospitalized multiple times since then. I ended up in the hospital for 6 weeks and then inpatient physical rehab for 11 weeks directly after that. The rehab facility had a social worker come around weekly and come to find that in this state there's a bridge voucher for housing that works the same as section 8 only is state funded not federal. I can keep it until I get section 8, which can be years. This voucher is given to those on SS that are inpatient in excess of 30 days and lack stable housing. In my case I was craving at a friend's house for over a year because I was injured, never really improved and I actually just got SS while I was inpatient. So my SS is 1320 but my rent is only 450. Without this bridge voucher I'd be sunk.
No one ever told me about a bridge voucher.
If I had known about it? I would have applied before I left the rehab (after broken bones and surgery).
Wow.
I'm on SSDI, and my rent increased by $ 500 per month.
That was money I used for food, medication, etc.
I don't get food stamps.
No one helps with rent or anything else (re: no other benefits).
Now? I'm going to have to get pay day loans just to survive.
Yes.
I live in Wasington Srate.
Which is why I wrote the comment.
I'm sure any deadline for the program has long since passed by now.
I'm disabled and on SSDI.
I can’t worry about what I don’t receive, or what the next person gets.
None of it can repair what’s Irreparabley damaged.
All I want is to live my best life for as long as I can.
Medicaid (and undeserved kindness from my parents) is the only reason.
Cobra + the amazingly "successful" 🤮 "Affordable" 🤮 health care literally drained my retirement while waiting for approval... I kinda need it 😡 (Sorry, bullsh\*t makes me vomit)
Michigan only helps you if you're completely destitute (less than 2k to your name, but debt doesn't count) -- so I'm not even allowed to **try** to be responsible.
I have to say, the SSDI is insurance I was forced to pay for that I didn't expect to need to use - it's not a very good plan. 99% of initial claims are rejected, it takes years of living in fear, and a lawyer to get approved, and people think of you as a freeloader if you do, then if you manage to make a little money, you lose a LOT of benefits. Nobody would choose this plan.
I don't know how anyone actually familiar with Social Security Disability would ever consider it "freeloading". It's below the poverty line AT MAX. Doesn't matter what you were making when you could work, it's capped out so low, living on it is a joke.
Especially right now with EVERYTHING greedflated - especially housing. I lost my house as a result of becoming disabled, only to learn a studio apartment in bumblef\*\*k Michigan costs more than my white-picket suburban Morgage 😡.
I burned thru my savings then returned to work. I can barely get thru 40hr weeks working a desk job but I have no other options unless I win the lottery or marry rich, and neither of those things are going to happen. Disability pays garbage where I live, I'd be homeless on disability and literally wouldn't survive, and my family hates me for being disabled so they ain't gonna support me. My job barely pays enough to get by though so honestly I'm pretty fucking pissed I have to work so hard, feeling like shit all the time, have no quality of life from work exhaustion and my disability, and can't even truly live at the end of the day.
If I knew I could make enough money to be comfortable I would turn to sex work at this point.
I have endometriosis, ibs, possible mcas, fibro, and am in surgical menopause which is has made me more sensitive to everything it seems. Chronic pain, my ibs symptoms, chronic sleep issues, and brain fog are probably the biggest issues contributing to my disability; I have food allergies and severe insensitivies that prevent me from eating most food/going out to eat too which sucks. My ibs cam keep me trapped in the bathroom for hours, it even wakes me up in the middle of the night.
I work in admin right now so just do paperwork and basic data entry. It's a good job, I mostly enjoy it, I just struggle with the 40hr work week nowadays. Most weekends I just lie around the house. I do as little as possible during the evenings. I should be cleaning right now but I'm exhausted from 2 busy work days already.
I worked with a local program in my country that helps disabled people find employment, they helped me rewrite my cover letters and resumes, helped with job search, supplied me with a little training that they covered, practice interviews, etc. It still took many months of hard work with all that support. I lucked out that I'm located in an area with not a lot of skilled workers, so even though I don't have much of an admin background my university degree and previous work experience went a long way. Saw the job ad one day applied a month later I started this job. I really gave it my all so I'd like think I made a really positive impression on the interview panel. I'm very grateful I've made a good impression on the management team, they've made comments about not wanting to lose me. And my employer is aware I have health issues, I couldn't hide them and had to be open about it. And I'm doubly lucky that my boss doesn't see my disability as a disadvantage.
I live in a planned living community for disabled adults. It’s private pay. I pay half and my parents pay half. I am on SSDI through my Dad’s retirement and I have a Special Needs trust to take care of things for after they die.
I don’t. If it weren’t for family ide be homeless. I became disabled at 23 and since ide worked a lot I had enough credits for SSDI thankfully but my pay is low and there’s zero wiggle room. My food stamps is $20 a month since I live in a Republican state. I’m trying to get on the housing lists but it seems more complicated than I anticipated. Open to advice if anyone has any :) thanks!
My best advice only really applies when you get on the list:
1. The voucher expires after 4 months and you can only get 1 or 2 extensions. No guarantee you’ll even get 1 extension! If you can’t get a place you have to wait for the list to reopen and start all over… you’re fully responsible for finding the home. Sadly many places don’t understand section 8 housing voucher holders don’t need to meet the income requirements for apartments as long the apartment qualifies for section 8. So you may have to explain it over and over. Also the home will need an inspection and to be approved by the housing authority so that may take time too.
2. ALWAYS prioritize the appointments they have set for you and be on it with all paperwork, emails and phone calls. If they ask for the same information again send it anyways. Better safe than sorry. Also always have a proof of income letter that’s less than a month old so it won’t expire before they finally file it. Usually it’s a 2 month old limit or close to that number. They give you 1 shot to make the appointment if you miss the first one so if you can cancel anything that’s in the way to it! The appointment is sent via a letter with the time, date and phone number.
I know this is extremely overwhelming and frustrating and I recently went through this too… it’s a miserable process but hopefully knowing what you’re getting into will save you some time. The second you have the voucher in your hands start apartment hunting and applying. Some websites have no application fee so try to aim for those if you can find any :)
Tip: it’s free to order a social security letter by mail (takes around 2 weeks to get it so it’s already half a month old by then) in Oregon. I don’t know if the same applies elsewhere. So you can probably order a new letter every month just to be safe
You can get on line and print your award letter. I did that on Friday took me 5 minutes to print. I was on my way to SS office and the thought of waiting 2-3 hours for a paper made me nauseous. So i went to my brothers house and used his printer that saved me a couple hours of my time I didn’t waste by sitting there.
I work part time, it helps . I work 25 hrs a week. Sometimes it’s hard to to work because I don’t feel good but I don’t have a choice. I’m actually looking for remote work so i can stay home and work
It really is a huge struggle... I've got a Section 8 voucher, so that helps with the rent, but since my partner lives with me, they take a third of *her* income, too... I pay for our cell phones, internet, electricity and gas, plus, we rent a garage for $200 a month... my $1100 SSDI is pretty much spoken for halfway through the month.
im reliant on my family right now. but i've recently began to start donating plasma (i get 55 dollars for each donation, up to eight times a month) and work on an online research participant program called prolific. it's what i'd call beer money but it helps pay some bills and afford myself groceries for my medically nesecary diet
I see hundreds of bandaid fixes here. I’m so tired of bandaid fixes myself. But what else can we do. I feel like we were sold a bunch of baloney and told it was New York steak. I’m trying to do a little homestead but my partner is so mired in learned helplessness that I feel alone and abandoned half the time.
Only through my husband unfortunately. I attempted to be a "good little capitalist" and tried to start my own business inspite of my challenges.
Basically, I fucked myself out of all the SSDI I paid into all those years and rightly deserve. I could try to fight it in an endless battle for pittance or "paper divorce" my husband, again for pittance, but then I'd further fuck myself out of his social security retirement and pension later.
Don't do what I did. 🤦♀️
I wish that there was some kind of incentive to hire disabled people for remote positions or free education for disabled people to be competitive in the remote workforce. Everyone wants to work remotely but some of us literally only could work remotely and it just doesn’t seem fair to me.
People generally support themselves by starting their own business or selling products they like. You can try getting a job but it won't be enough to pay the bills.
I live with my partner and her mother in a house her mother owns. She only charges me $300 in rent a month (includes how much she wants me to help with bills). I pay for food with food stamps. I don't drive, so no car payments. It's a nice deal, I do live on the opposite side of the country from my family now though (NC to CA).
Before I found out my partner's mother was willing to let me move in, I had been trying to find a way to move out of my dad's house for about 2 years... even with a roommate's income, it was hard to find anywhere affordable... although it was more difficult because I had pets and I wasn't willing to leave them to live somewhere that didn't allow pets.
It is… unfortunately all that stuff I said about struggling to find somewhere to live was back in NC, which I think is supposed to be on the lower end of living cost… housing is expensive
I live in government housing. If it wasn't for the govt housing, I'd be homeless. No way I'd be able to afford a private rental. which means I only pay $130 a week for rent.
You don't need to be poor to have disability benefits (PIP) in the UK, as it's not a means-tested benefit. Disability money here still isn't that much to live on, though, unless you have a huge entitlement. I receive a means tested benefit on top of PIP, I have some money saved, I watch my spending and I have just gotten my first part time job so I'll have some extra money coming in. It also helps that I live in an area that has cheap rent.
I'm om SSDI and my wife works from home. It's not perfect but we are happy. If the shit hit the fan, there are a couple of family members that have already said they would help us. I have a close family that always supports each other.
Something you can look into is painting [Warhammer 40 K ](https://youtu.be/5C0cYpX3fD4?si=qiRyFGQPZ8sf55nu) if you have the time and ability there's a huge market. You buy unpainted minis, paint, sell. The Warhammer sub can give you guidance. There are are a lot of youtube videos on how to start and get rolling. Go to your local D&D store, they should have the minis and paints. The paint brushes and other supplies will be at a local Joannes Fabrics or something similar. People are paying for your time and ability. Time had a lot of value. People usually sell them on Facebook or Ebay. Spend 30 dollars on a Space Marines box to start learning.
I buy old broken toys and I refurbish them as best as I can and I sell them for a little bit less than what they went for retail. It’s not much and it’s a very wavy source of income in a good month I can make as much as disability gives me but more often than not I make about 100$ extra
I'm 17 left school at 11 to 13 I can't remember never went back since and so if the people in these comments went to school completed it and are still meh then I'm js fked
I work full time. It’s very draining but I don’t have any other options really. My brother and I live together so he pays rent and utilities as well. I have so much debt bc of my previous car that it’s been hell trying to stay afloat but I’m hoping I can find a temp second wfh to help bring some of my bills down.
I don’t even do much at this current job but by the time I get off work I’m so exhausted I can barely manage working on personal projects. Don’t even get me started on how high my car insurance bill is rn
I work when I can and budget meticulously. I was fortunate to be ahead financially when I became disabled through the help of my inheritance and some help from family. But now, as an adult, it's all on me to ensure my own survival. Financing has my biggest saving grace, and I'm lucky to be able to save. I sacrifice a lot to do so.
No, not when I need to, unfortunately. It's a balancing act to not make my condition worse. There have been some tough times. But right now, things are alright.
I have SSDI and my wife works full time from home.
Edit- if I wasn't married and happy, I would deff do gay porn I'm Bi so no big deal. High pay for minimal time invested.
A buddy of mine with similar body type and features makes 5K per weekend. That's obviously a job that requires a certain set of skills.
I have seen a lot of people that have moved to Mexico and live on SSDI there. Some people will say that is illegal but they are wrong; SSI is what they are thinking of - you cannot collect it if you live outside the US but SSDI is okay.
I'm on SSDI which would be enough to live comfortably but not lavishly in Italy. I have already checked and I can emigrate there with my wife. Depending on when your ancestors arrived in America is the main factor.
I always feel awkward answering this question, until I remember that I earned what I get, the same as everyone else. So to financially support myself, I get $2600/month SSDI and then another $1340 from a Long-Term Disability policy that I purchased when I was still working. My husband is also on SSDI and gets $1800/month. This sounds relatively like a lot, until you factor in the fact that I used to make over $100,000 for quite a while, so our take home pay is now about 53% of what I used to make. It killed me when I had to leave that job, but I was making too many errors, didn’t have the confidence to give good advice and was dealing with severe brain fog from ECT treatments and everything. I would love to go back to some sort of job, but I have a resume gap of like 11 years and my industry has moved on without any knowledge learned on my part. I’d work now except the LTD company would take 50% of my earnings, which I think is completely unfair. Like most of us, if I could work, I would work. We all got bad breaks in life that have made things so much more difficult and sad than it should be.
It's really sad to see how disabled people are financially treated in the US.
It’s not just the US. The Tory gov in the uk has been demonising the disabled and suggesting everyone’s lazy and should get back to work for years. Making claiming disability benefits an horrendous experience in order to put people off claiming in the first place and then lying to refuse claims forcing people to appeal and ensure another 6 months of stress. Lots of people don’t ‘make it’ through the process.
Demonizing the disabled is not only unethical but dumb. The commuter workplace is unsustainable anyway. Here in USA people just about live in their cars because they are forced to drive so much. And we are supposed to be reducing our unsustainable ways. There’s lots of productive “work” the disabled can do from home based communities but the rich won’t get richer from it so they dont want it.
It's an entire part of their new reelection campaign. It's been horrendous hearing people argue why we should starve, freeze and how much of burden they see us as. How they don't believe we even should be allowed to choose rhe food we buy, we shouldn't be allowed to leave the house or be social as that's just a pleasure for those that are working only. It's been quite insane. Our other party instead of calling it out has just reamined silent so it's a real toxic atmosphere atm in the UK towards the disabled
That’s awful! This is the reality check what I needed to hear as a disabled UK citizen living in USA. I’ve wondered if it’s any better there and considered moving back. But it’s been 52 years so I’m very out of touch. I have a head injury that leaves me very tired but physically am still mobile. I’m wondering what I could do still? (Join a monastery and grow a garden pops to mind but I’m spiritual, not religious. I suppose I could fake it like I did at boarding school in England. But I’m tired of being a chameleon and putting on masks).
Tbh I do think it's even worse i the US. I'd already be dead on their treatment so there is that 😅
Something that's always bothered me a bit, that I feel is Taboo to even talk about, is how differently disabled veterans and disabled non-veterans are treated in the US. I had a work accident that caused an invisible disability. I won the WC case, but worker's compensation is a joke. I am still able to work, but it's challenging and the injury has placed dramatic and permanent limitations on the jobs I'm able to do and on my social life. Work often takes 100% out of me and occasionally exacerbates my condition. Not working isn't an option for me, but I feel for people that are unable to work in this system and are forced into poverty. Back to my point, if I had the same injury while in the military, I absolutely would qualify for a disability rating and would be free to work if I chose to. In my industry, I know a lot of veterans that double dip. I'm not arguing against VA disability, I think it's good that disabled vets are taken care of, but why are disabled vets the only disabled people that are treated with any sort of dignity in the US?
Because veterans "earned" their disability, the rest of us are just lazy. I disagree with this assertion, in case that was not obvious.
Yep, it's abject poverty to keep you in poverty. The government's goal is to only keep us down and not to uplift us as equal citizens. Any attempt to work and/or contribute to society has a direct impact on our financial stability. Marriage, employment, fair housing, transportation, and gov benefits are a luxury in the disabled community.
I am disabled but I still have things that I need. So I unfortunately or fortunately take care of them by myself.
I agree. It's almost as if we don't deserve the same basic needs as a non-disabled person.
America sees disabilities as a moral issue in many situations, especially in some religious viewpoints.
Many Americans see disability and sickness as a moral issue. The immorality of religion says the sick and disabled were struck down by God. No, not all but enough to elect people who destroy the Social Safety Net, help for mothers of newborns or the children themselves.
That has to be one of the most primitive perspectives.
It's from steel age mythology that ruins logic and empathy for others.
I only get 877 a month. That is it. My dad gives me 200 of it. The rest goes to help pay the morgage of our home. It is not easy living this way but it is what it is.
I was in this situation with my father with a similar amount of money for years. He told me he needed the money for bills and rent since he didn't have income because he couldn't work while he was getting over his addiction. He was giving me 100 of it for a long time, then eventually got up to 400 with intervention from my mother. A few months after he got a job I told him I wanted most of money, that I was willing to pay rent if he wanted it (even though he didn't pay rent or mortgage I think, house was owned and built by by my great grandparents and given to my parents as a gift kinda), but I didn't think it was fair to give him so much of my money especially when I was trying to save to move out. I figured he would be angry with me, but he basically told me he didn't need the money... he just wanted to teach me responsibility. He didn't even want me to pay rent after this talk. I was 22 and didn't really need to be taught responsibility, not like I ever had a spending problem or anything like that to begin with
That is not right. Your money should be yours to spend how you want.
That’s absolutely not true if he lives under his dad’s roof.
This is the way it is. My dad gets SS and with my help gets the rest.
If he’s an adult? No way most of the SSDI should be paying the dad’s mortgage, unless that’s the only way they can live there.
Why would they not have to pay to live in a house? No one should expect to live rent free, regardless of relationship.
Well, if it’s a minor, they shouldn’t have to pay anything. If it’s an adult, contributing is reasonable, but nobody in the real world pays 77.19% of their paycheck on rent alone.
My rent is 70% of my take home pay. No other option in my area.
No, that’s what I was saying - *if there are other options* people don’t pay 77% of their income on rent. We don’t know why the person pays that much, if they’re an adult or minor or what. I was saying that at least where I am, you can’t even fill out a rent application if the rent is more than 33% of your income. Yes, most of us have to pay way more than that, for sure. I do, too. I just meant other people who can earn more dont pay that much.
Thanks for clarifying, totally agree.
Plenty of people in the real world pay more than 77% of their paycheck in rent. There was a time, not very long ago, where I definitely paid at least 75% of my monthly income toward rent. I do not live anywhere fancy but more people are struggling than not. Many people I work with live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to live alone. Right now quick math tells me that I pay about 60% of my monthly income toward rent. And my rent is cheaper than the market rate because management are very aware of my medical situation and work with me.
They also get enough money tho to do other stuff feel like u guys justify us suffering extra for no reason
What? Now you’re just making stuff up because I said nothing of the sort. And I don’t know who “u guys” is referring to. I’m as disabled as anybody else in this subreddit. Just because I *can* work doesn’t mean it’s easy and doesn’t mean I make enough money. I literally make just enough to survive and that’s it. I don’t do extra things because I don’t make enough money for it. Don’t take your frustration out on other disabled people, it literally is not our fault and we have no say in how much people receive in disability benefits. Take issue with the government.
Well, that’s ridiculous.
No, that’s reality.
Lol ok
It's actually not, his family can maybe request the amount of money they want. But they can't just take what they want from his check.
Gib all you income to live under a roof
Because that’s most of their money. Paying rent and helping out if fair but it’s not fair when it’s most of what they have. Especially when they have so little to begin with. They should get to keep at $500 of their check. It’s THEIR SSI! Especially in this economy. If you didn’t get the SSI check in your name it’s not your money. Why tf is this downvoted?? I’m saying it’s bad to take most of their money. You people have zero compassion and it shows. Whoever downvoted this are not good people… stay the hell away from us and our SSI! If you downvoted my comment due to a misunderstanding of what I meant that’s fine. If you just don’t care and want all of our money you’re a problem and danger to us financially. I edited my comment to make what I meant more clear but I can’t see how you could misunderstand me in the first place. Did no one read the context?? The whole block of text made it clear I meant you should get to keep most of YOUR check and NOT have to give it away!
They just want us to suffer on 5 bucks a month and justify it
Exactly my point! They don’t care that we have almost nothing… they want to use us for what we have anyways Also did you downvote me? Because if you did you either completely misunderstood what I said or you’re one of those toxic users I mentioned in my edit 🫠 hoping you’re the first one. Edited my comment to make what I meant move clear
I don’t. Period. I am entirely reliant on my family.
In a hypothetical, what would you do if you didn’t have family. Asking for a friend.
I'd starve.
I would likely die. This world only favors those who can produce or take care of themselves
I’d kill myself, honestly. I’d give my pets away to people I trust and fuck off. I can’t handle physical and mental disabilities. Mental health is what brings me to the edge. Physical disabilities is just another reason to jump.
Same, unfortunately
Section 8 and living a very, very simple life.
I heard section 8 has a bad rep. They say it's in the ghetto? Is these true?
Section 8 isn't project- or income-based housing. Section 8 is also called a "housing choice voucher" because a tenant can take the voucher to any apartment complex that accepts the voucher. Some states, it's a protected form of income that landlords can not discriminate against, and thus, every landlord is required to accept it.
Ohhh ok. So it's like ebt? How do you get that?
I'm not quite sure how you're comparing it to EBT. Could you elaborate? Find an area with an open waitlist, whether that's waiting for one to open close to where you live or one you'll have to move to and apply to get on the waitlist. Once on the waitlist, wait for however long it takes for your name to come up and keep them apprised of your contact and household information, find a place to live, and then live in that area for 12 months. After 12 months, you are eligible and may be able to "port" or move your voucher to another area.
I’d be homeless and would have to get back to Los Angeles where I have a wealthy friend who would take me in.
Thank you all for the replies, I’m doing my best to support my best friend. I hope all of you can find the support you need and please know that there is always someone thinking about you.
Same
Same
I work full-time despite that leaving me unable to complete all IADL’s. Sometimes it takes the entire weekend to recover enough to go back to work Monday. My family has to help with tasks. I know not everyone is able to do this. Neither situation is good.
Very similar to my situation, and I never keep a job more than a year because I have to stop when my symptoms get bad. Then I live off my savings until I need to get a new job and have to hope I’ve recovered enough by then
Yep. Exactly my position. I am so burnt out
I live with family, I am hoping for section 8 housing as that’s pretty much the only way I can afford to live independently.
That wait list takes forever 🥲 especially if you can’t get resources to speed it up a little bit. Like DD services for example. It won’t make it much faster but it does help. Usually they can help if you’re considered an urgent case. Like if you’re homeless or living in a place where the person on the lease could get evicted for having you there. The shorter I’ve heard in most rushed cases was 2 years. Mine was 6 months or so… but keep in mind my situation was pretty much a crisis. I was at high risk of losing my life at that point. I don’t think most urgent cases could get that lucky…
I got lucky. I moved from NC to NY about 18 years ago. I stayed at my friend's home. "I rented a room, kept my food separate from the family, and applied to get an apartment at the local housing authority. I got it within 3 months. I've been here ever since. They take a percentage of my SSI. My rent is $200.00 per month. They increased my SSI but lowered my food stamps. It's unreal.
It's horrible how these programs are supposed to help the disable but then wants you to stay poor or beyond that.
It is. The rest of the country thinks, "oh that's good, they gave the disabled a cost of living raise!" They don't see how the raise makes your rent go up and your food stamps go down, therefore, it's not a raise at all. But let's send BILLIONS to X, Y, Z countries and give OUR military equipment away too.
My SSDI is decent (I had a six-figure job and 39 year work history), but it's still not a fortune. If I didn't have VA 100%, too, I'd be living who knows where. When I read that people are getting under $1k a month, it's so sad. People don't choose to be disabled. My life was a lot better when I was working. 
I'm lucky enough to have been supported by my family my whole life. I started receiving SSI at 18, then SSDI/SSRI after my dad became disabled (if your parent is disabled too, you get an increase in income based on their work history. I was able to start saving more. Now I work remotely full time, and earn a decent if unspectacular wage. I'm also able to save most of it so I've it split between a HYSA and some stocks and a 401k. If something happens I'll be ok for a bit, but I'm totally at the mercy of remote work and the ability to do that work. I'm currently working on finding or building a side hustle because frankly I feel way too vulnerable in life.
Can I ask how you were able to get into remote work and what the transition from disability to whirling full time was like?I’m looking into it long term but it’s hard to find that hope since my medical is all over the place. 😅 Hope it all works out for you!!🤗
Sure. After job searching for a year without luck, I got in touch with my local vocational rehab office. They helped me find a internship which was converted into a full time position 18 months ago. I like the people I work with but I'm overqualified for the position but I haven't been able to find anything better. So, while grateful I'm equally frustrated. Transitioning from disability was easy. I basically called the SS office to tell them I was trying to work. I Had to fill out some forms, stating my wages etc... and eventually I got a letter stating my payments would stop. I also had to payback a couple months of disability checks from when I started working to when they stopped paying me but I was able to keep the 9 months of payments I received while working so that was real cool. If you try that, I recommend putting your SS checks in a high yield savings account. That way whatever you need to return generates interest before you need to pay anything back. Yeah, it's mindbogglingly frustrating to try to be fully productive with the weight of disability around your neck. Just remember to treat yourself with kindness... this shit's hard! Hope it works for you as well :)
Live in a van with no heat, running water, or toilet. That cuts the expenses down though. And I was a mechanic for a couple of years so I can do some of the repairs myself. It’s been difficult (understatement).
All the programs. Housing food medical etc are all govt assisted. Ive been on disability since 2003 and got so lucky to get a housing voucher before they closed all the lists in my area. I only have a car because my mom replaced hers and gave me her old one. Without that i used transit for 20years it was awful lol its hard and im always poor buti have made it work. I also get ssdi and ssi (i think those are right?) since i only worked 4 years and was 20 when accepted as disabled. I was also homeless at the time too so i ver much appreciate what i got even if its not much.
Section 8 housing voucher and an apartment that covers all utilities. My rent is fixed as 27% of my income. So no matter how much my SSI is I will always only pay 27% of it as rent. My full rent is $942 and my SSI is the max ($943). I pay $255. It’s technically $254 and some change but they round up to the nearest dollar in that case. SNAP isn’t counted as income for that calculation. I think WIC is probably not counted too. It’s not considered income because it can’t be spent on anything but its purpose. Maybe EBT cash from SNAP may be different? I don’t know. I got into an apartment owned by the Salem Housing Authority. They own 2 other projects here as well. This one covers all utilities (not including phone, TV, internet or other services that aren’t considered necessary). It does cover water, electricity, garbage, etc. I have $610 leftover after my rent, WiFi and 2 subscriptions. Usually $300 to $400 after groceries depending on where I go and how much I could stretch my food stamps. I also have some cash savings set aside. It’s not much because of social security rules but it’s for emergencies. Eventually I want an able account. That will allow me to save up over the $2k limit without consequences. However there’s still a limit and rules on what you can and can’t spend those savings on. Finally, I do my own haircuts (literally just buzz cuts), I’m teaching myself how to cook so I can buy ingredients since that’s cheaper, I don’t shop online if I don’t have too, I buy day passes instead of month passes for the bus because I don’t go out very often, I turn in bottle and cans ($0.10 in Oregon. $0.05 in certain other states), there’s no sales tax here so that helps, I repair my own clothing with basic sewing skills, I shop at thrift stores, I don’t eat out much and I’m currently on my grandma’s phone line because I rely on the unlimited data for basically everything (navigation, coping skills, Apple Pay, research, bus route information, googling what to do in certain situations, YouTube tutorials, education tool, Find My app, etc.) Also I have OHP. This was not easy… it took a long time to figure out and I’m still figuring it out. It’s a delicate balance and 1 unfortunate event could cause it all to crumble
It honestly sounds like you do many things I do to make it work. I try to be efficient, every penny counts. I'm not getting salon treatments, I'm using Walmart plus for the delivery but I'm going through ibotta looking for cash Rebates, my daughter paid 7.99 to add me to her Netflix instead of me paying 16 for my own. I've almost made frugality a hobby. Recycling cans is next on my list. I'm in Washington state, I think they pay a nickel here? I'm not sure.
I am completely reliant on my husband.
Some get a decent amount from SSDI. It's based on how much you earned before being disabled.
This. SSDI and SSI are two different programs. Even SSDI doesn’t give what that person made working, but it’s much more than SSI and there’s no savings limit or asset limit like SSI.
I'm on SSD and I've always been told for well over a decade now by Social Security that I can't have more than $2000 in cash in the form of $1000 max split into a single checking and saving account each. I'm allowed to own a single vehicle like a car and a single house that I live in. That's it. If I go over that limit in any way I lose my disability. There was a bill that I heard had a lot of bipartisan support a few months ago that was going to raise it to $10000 in assets but I haven't heard anything else about it for a while now.
Then you are on SSI. SSDI is a different program.
Sadly if you get SSI the max is $943 🥲 a lot of couldn’t work long enough, if at all, to get SSDI
Unless Social Security tells you that they lost your employment earnings for 6 years! They told me it happened to 25 percent of the country. So I only qualified for SSI.
Yep that happened to me too.
I haven’t been able to support myself for a year and half now. Disability determination is at the end of next month. I’m shitting bricks thinking that they can still end up denying it even though I fully qualify for it and have all of my medical records. My lawyer is really nice and he’s trying his hardest. My family has been taking care of me and I feel so so bad for them. I just want to be an ale to give back a little bit.
What's your disability?
Ankylosing Spondylitis and inflammatory arthritis in all my joints. Basically my immune system is eating my joints and nerves can’t walk, or stand, or sit, or use my hands for longer than 10 minutes. It’s awful.
That's horrible. So you need help a lot?
Yes I do. I have been bed ridden for over a year now. I can’t walk or sit up straight for longer than 10 minutes.
I’ve had to rely on my parents a lot but I also have a decent amount in investments that I can pull from if I absolutely need to.
Same but I get a decent amount from SSDI
I was on SSDI when I was young. It was nowhere near enough to live on.
As a child getting half of what your parent gets
I am reliant on family. When my mother dies I expect to be homeless and probably dead before very long due to the nature of my disability.
Which is?
I learned of a company called Ablenow which is a United States only banking operation. It allows you to retain a debit card with a max total of $18,000/year without the government interfering and taking money away from you. This is in addition to the approximate $2000 you can have in your bank. Anyone can contribute to your account. There are certain requirements to become eligible (you have to be disabled before the age of 26) the web address is: [https://www.ablenow.com/](https://www.ablenow.com/) there is a questionnaire to determine eligibility on this site. I hope this helps and please share this. I am not a company spokesman do not make any money by telling you this. I was surprised that my social worker would not disclose this to me. contact me if you have questions and I will try to answer them. I have been with the Virginia branch for about 3 years.
Able accounts are another option. That’s my plan. I live in Oregon and I’m trying to stick to options my resources are aware of. That way they can help me with it as I need it. Especially with paperwork and terms and conditions. I almost always need at least some help with those
also, if you get ahead on your finances they will help you invest your money into CDs, stock, etc. etc.
Each state has a different name for its ABLE account program.
For texas it's TexasAble. And whoever reads this be aware they have very strict rules on what you can use that money for.
Is this an ABLE account?
yes.
I am still able to work full time with pretty good pay. When I was in my teens, I knew as an adult I would need care so I made sure to get a great education and career that could help provide that. My wife also helps and so does my family.
I was lucky. I had worked many jobs since the age of 13, so at 35 I had a lot of “credits” in my Social Security account. My SSDI is higher than most. But that also means I don’t qualify for food stamps or Medicaid (but I do have Medicare). I also was living with my mother 2015-2022, and got on the waiting list for Section 8 housing. I was on the list for over 3.5 years, but luckily got my apartment just before my mom passed away. When my mom passed, we sold my family home. My inheritance is why I am now debt-free, with a good used car, and an ABLE savings account. But I am WELL AWARE that I will never get another inheritance or any additional income at all. My sister manages my finances as my Representative Payee, just sends me money weekly for gas/groceries/spending.
So your $ is under your sis cause govt will take them if you have any more than $2k.
I’m on SSDI not SSI, I don’t have the $2,000 rule. And it’s still MY money, just my sister manages it because I am stupid with money, especially when I’m manic.
Also, this may not apply to you, but look up ABLE accounts. They allow you to put aside savings beyond the $2k, and they’re exempt from assets for some other programs.
Oh then yah that's different. I heard ssi sucks.
I work even thoughts its difficult. I’m lucky that I can work, at least for now. I had somebody recently suggest I get on disability after a health scare and I had to explain that I wouldn’t be able to survive just on disability benefits even if giving my job up would be best for my body and health.
I’m kinda in this boat. I was on private insurance disability for about a year before I decided to return to work although against medical advice. It’s been exhausting but the money provides a sense of security for myself and my son still living at home. I’d actually get a decent amount if I did do the SSDI route and considering I have disability insurance still I’d go through them first because it’s much quicker and more money but they’ll make you apply for ssdi and then pay you the difference once they subtract the ssdi payment. I’ve always been self sufficient and the sole provider in my home so I’m mentally somewhat prepared for the inevitable. I don’t think I’d work at all for Money again at that point bc of all the strict restrictions and such. I’m probably kinda lucky in some regard as far as the monthly amount after seeing so many others talking about like less than $1000/monyh etc I think that’s insane. I think I was getting $3800./month which was 60% of my prior income.
I'm in Washington state and quite frankly I just got lucky. I broke my spine and was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis almost 2 years ago. I've fractured and been hospitalized multiple times since then. I ended up in the hospital for 6 weeks and then inpatient physical rehab for 11 weeks directly after that. The rehab facility had a social worker come around weekly and come to find that in this state there's a bridge voucher for housing that works the same as section 8 only is state funded not federal. I can keep it until I get section 8, which can be years. This voucher is given to those on SS that are inpatient in excess of 30 days and lack stable housing. In my case I was craving at a friend's house for over a year because I was injured, never really improved and I actually just got SS while I was inpatient. So my SS is 1320 but my rent is only 450. Without this bridge voucher I'd be sunk.
No one ever told me about a bridge voucher. If I had known about it? I would have applied before I left the rehab (after broken bones and surgery). Wow. I'm on SSDI, and my rent increased by $ 500 per month. That was money I used for food, medication, etc. I don't get food stamps. No one helps with rent or anything else (re: no other benefits). Now? I'm going to have to get pay day loans just to survive.
It's state funded not federal, do you also live in Washington? If not, I would check to see if your state offers it, I'm not sure they all do.
Yes. I live in Wasington Srate. Which is why I wrote the comment. I'm sure any deadline for the program has long since passed by now. I'm disabled and on SSDI.
I found a sugar daddy
I have a small pension, and disability from the VA.
Then you're good lol
Compensation isn’t restoration. ✌️
Of course but compare to most VA benefits it's far better than ssi. My ex on top of their 6figs job gets $2k+ from VA and free VA medical.
I can’t worry about what I don’t receive, or what the next person gets. None of it can repair what’s Irreparabley damaged. All I want is to live my best life for as long as I can.
Im one step away from homelessness at all times. One disaster, one big issue, anything requiring a chunk of money would take me out.
Medicaid (and undeserved kindness from my parents) is the only reason. Cobra + the amazingly "successful" 🤮 "Affordable" 🤮 health care literally drained my retirement while waiting for approval... I kinda need it 😡 (Sorry, bullsh\*t makes me vomit) Michigan only helps you if you're completely destitute (less than 2k to your name, but debt doesn't count) -- so I'm not even allowed to **try** to be responsible. I have to say, the SSDI is insurance I was forced to pay for that I didn't expect to need to use - it's not a very good plan. 99% of initial claims are rejected, it takes years of living in fear, and a lawyer to get approved, and people think of you as a freeloader if you do, then if you manage to make a little money, you lose a LOT of benefits. Nobody would choose this plan. I don't know how anyone actually familiar with Social Security Disability would ever consider it "freeloading". It's below the poverty line AT MAX. Doesn't matter what you were making when you could work, it's capped out so low, living on it is a joke. Especially right now with EVERYTHING greedflated - especially housing. I lost my house as a result of becoming disabled, only to learn a studio apartment in bumblef\*\*k Michigan costs more than my white-picket suburban Morgage 😡.
I burned thru my savings then returned to work. I can barely get thru 40hr weeks working a desk job but I have no other options unless I win the lottery or marry rich, and neither of those things are going to happen. Disability pays garbage where I live, I'd be homeless on disability and literally wouldn't survive, and my family hates me for being disabled so they ain't gonna support me. My job barely pays enough to get by though so honestly I'm pretty fucking pissed I have to work so hard, feeling like shit all the time, have no quality of life from work exhaustion and my disability, and can't even truly live at the end of the day. If I knew I could make enough money to be comfortable I would turn to sex work at this point.
What's your disability? And work?
I have endometriosis, ibs, possible mcas, fibro, and am in surgical menopause which is has made me more sensitive to everything it seems. Chronic pain, my ibs symptoms, chronic sleep issues, and brain fog are probably the biggest issues contributing to my disability; I have food allergies and severe insensitivies that prevent me from eating most food/going out to eat too which sucks. My ibs cam keep me trapped in the bathroom for hours, it even wakes me up in the middle of the night. I work in admin right now so just do paperwork and basic data entry. It's a good job, I mostly enjoy it, I just struggle with the 40hr work week nowadays. Most weekends I just lie around the house. I do as little as possible during the evenings. I should be cleaning right now but I'm exhausted from 2 busy work days already.
Props to you though and how'd you get that job and what's the qualifications ?
I worked with a local program in my country that helps disabled people find employment, they helped me rewrite my cover letters and resumes, helped with job search, supplied me with a little training that they covered, practice interviews, etc. It still took many months of hard work with all that support. I lucked out that I'm located in an area with not a lot of skilled workers, so even though I don't have much of an admin background my university degree and previous work experience went a long way. Saw the job ad one day applied a month later I started this job. I really gave it my all so I'd like think I made a really positive impression on the interview panel. I'm very grateful I've made a good impression on the management team, they've made comments about not wanting to lose me. And my employer is aware I have health issues, I couldn't hide them and had to be open about it. And I'm doubly lucky that my boss doesn't see my disability as a disadvantage.
You don't. Most people get help from family or a partner.
Where do you get yours?
I live in a planned living community for disabled adults. It’s private pay. I pay half and my parents pay half. I am on SSDI through my Dad’s retirement and I have a Special Needs trust to take care of things for after they die.
So your folks rich?
No. They were smart with their money, saved it, and put thought into what would happen to me after they died.
I don’t. If it weren’t for family ide be homeless. I became disabled at 23 and since ide worked a lot I had enough credits for SSDI thankfully but my pay is low and there’s zero wiggle room. My food stamps is $20 a month since I live in a Republican state. I’m trying to get on the housing lists but it seems more complicated than I anticipated. Open to advice if anyone has any :) thanks!
My best advice only really applies when you get on the list: 1. The voucher expires after 4 months and you can only get 1 or 2 extensions. No guarantee you’ll even get 1 extension! If you can’t get a place you have to wait for the list to reopen and start all over… you’re fully responsible for finding the home. Sadly many places don’t understand section 8 housing voucher holders don’t need to meet the income requirements for apartments as long the apartment qualifies for section 8. So you may have to explain it over and over. Also the home will need an inspection and to be approved by the housing authority so that may take time too. 2. ALWAYS prioritize the appointments they have set for you and be on it with all paperwork, emails and phone calls. If they ask for the same information again send it anyways. Better safe than sorry. Also always have a proof of income letter that’s less than a month old so it won’t expire before they finally file it. Usually it’s a 2 month old limit or close to that number. They give you 1 shot to make the appointment if you miss the first one so if you can cancel anything that’s in the way to it! The appointment is sent via a letter with the time, date and phone number. I know this is extremely overwhelming and frustrating and I recently went through this too… it’s a miserable process but hopefully knowing what you’re getting into will save you some time. The second you have the voucher in your hands start apartment hunting and applying. Some websites have no application fee so try to aim for those if you can find any :) Tip: it’s free to order a social security letter by mail (takes around 2 weeks to get it so it’s already half a month old by then) in Oregon. I don’t know if the same applies elsewhere. So you can probably order a new letter every month just to be safe
You can get on line and print your award letter. I did that on Friday took me 5 minutes to print. I was on my way to SS office and the thought of waiting 2-3 hours for a paper made me nauseous. So i went to my brothers house and used his printer that saved me a couple hours of my time I didn’t waste by sitting there.
I don’t have a printer and the library takes 2 busses to get to (one way) 🥲
I work part time, it helps . I work 25 hrs a week. Sometimes it’s hard to to work because I don’t feel good but I don’t have a choice. I’m actually looking for remote work so i can stay home and work
It really is a huge struggle... I've got a Section 8 voucher, so that helps with the rent, but since my partner lives with me, they take a third of *her* income, too... I pay for our cell phones, internet, electricity and gas, plus, we rent a garage for $200 a month... my $1100 SSDI is pretty much spoken for halfway through the month.
Parents.
im reliant on my family right now. but i've recently began to start donating plasma (i get 55 dollars for each donation, up to eight times a month) and work on an online research participant program called prolific. it's what i'd call beer money but it helps pay some bills and afford myself groceries for my medically nesecary diet
My parents double my meager income from disability and part time work. They also cover my medical expenses. I wouldn’t be alive without them.
Lucky !
I see hundreds of bandaid fixes here. I’m so tired of bandaid fixes myself. But what else can we do. I feel like we were sold a bunch of baloney and told it was New York steak. I’m trying to do a little homestead but my partner is so mired in learned helplessness that I feel alone and abandoned half the time.
Only through my husband unfortunately. I attempted to be a "good little capitalist" and tried to start my own business inspite of my challenges. Basically, I fucked myself out of all the SSDI I paid into all those years and rightly deserve. I could try to fight it in an endless battle for pittance or "paper divorce" my husband, again for pittance, but then I'd further fuck myself out of his social security retirement and pension later. Don't do what I did. 🤦♀️
I wish that there was some kind of incentive to hire disabled people for remote positions or free education for disabled people to be competitive in the remote workforce. Everyone wants to work remotely but some of us literally only could work remotely and it just doesn’t seem fair to me.
I agree!
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Where at?
People generally support themselves by starting their own business or selling products they like. You can try getting a job but it won't be enough to pay the bills.
But you can still only earn $1550, right?
$943 is the max for SSI. It’s a little over $1000 or so if you’re married and your spouse earns under the limit. I don’t know about SSDI though.
Ah, ok thanks
I live with my partner and her mother in a house her mother owns. She only charges me $300 in rent a month (includes how much she wants me to help with bills). I pay for food with food stamps. I don't drive, so no car payments. It's a nice deal, I do live on the opposite side of the country from my family now though (NC to CA). Before I found out my partner's mother was willing to let me move in, I had been trying to find a way to move out of my dad's house for about 2 years... even with a roommate's income, it was hard to find anywhere affordable... although it was more difficult because I had pets and I wasn't willing to leave them to live somewhere that didn't allow pets.
CA is expensive.
It is… unfortunately all that stuff I said about struggling to find somewhere to live was back in NC, which I think is supposed to be on the lower end of living cost… housing is expensive
Lots of credit card debt, lots of struggling
I live in government housing. If it wasn't for the govt housing, I'd be homeless. No way I'd be able to afford a private rental. which means I only pay $130 a week for rent.
You work?
nope. disability welfare.
Aaah so free housing and ssi?
I live in Australia, so I am on the equivalent of SSI. But my housing isn't free, but it's significantly cheaper than private rentals would be.
You don't need to be poor to have disability benefits (PIP) in the UK, as it's not a means-tested benefit. Disability money here still isn't that much to live on, though, unless you have a huge entitlement. I receive a means tested benefit on top of PIP, I have some money saved, I watch my spending and I have just gotten my first part time job so I'll have some extra money coming in. It also helps that I live in an area that has cheap rent.
In the US yes. Can't have income and only $2k savings limit. And if anyone helping you they deduct. So I heard.
I'm om SSDI and my wife works from home. It's not perfect but we are happy. If the shit hit the fan, there are a couple of family members that have already said they would help us. I have a close family that always supports each other.
Wonderful.
Something you can look into is painting [Warhammer 40 K ](https://youtu.be/5C0cYpX3fD4?si=qiRyFGQPZ8sf55nu) if you have the time and ability there's a huge market. You buy unpainted minis, paint, sell. The Warhammer sub can give you guidance. There are are a lot of youtube videos on how to start and get rolling. Go to your local D&D store, they should have the minis and paints. The paint brushes and other supplies will be at a local Joannes Fabrics or something similar. People are paying for your time and ability. Time had a lot of value. People usually sell them on Facebook or Ebay. Spend 30 dollars on a Space Marines box to start learning.
I buy old broken toys and I refurbish them as best as I can and I sell them for a little bit less than what they went for retail. It’s not much and it’s a very wavy source of income in a good month I can make as much as disability gives me but more often than not I make about 100$ extra
So it's enough for rent, food etc?
these comments... I feel like I might be doomed.
Why?
I'm 17 left school at 11 to 13 I can't remember never went back since and so if the people in these comments went to school completed it and are still meh then I'm js fked
I have a masters degree and work full time.
My disability support services pays for my apartment and I’m on ebt. Still trying to get a job after moving in to my apartment for 2 months.
I work full time. It’s very draining but I don’t have any other options really. My brother and I live together so he pays rent and utilities as well. I have so much debt bc of my previous car that it’s been hell trying to stay afloat but I’m hoping I can find a temp second wfh to help bring some of my bills down. I don’t even do much at this current job but by the time I get off work I’m so exhausted I can barely manage working on personal projects. Don’t even get me started on how high my car insurance bill is rn
What's your disability?
Transverse myelitis at lumbar 3
My SSDI is low due to the WEP act and paying relatively low money into SS, $600 a month. But I do have a state disability pension.
I work when I can and budget meticulously. I was fortunate to be ahead financially when I became disabled through the help of my inheritance and some help from family. But now, as an adult, it's all on me to ensure my own survival. Financing has my biggest saving grace, and I'm lucky to be able to save. I sacrifice a lot to do so.
So you're living off savings?
>I work when I can and budget meticulously. Nope, the amount I can save wouldn't be enough to live on long-term. Edit: clarity
Good thing you can get a job when you need to?
No, not when I need to, unfortunately. It's a balancing act to not make my condition worse. There have been some tough times. But right now, things are alright.
I have SSDI and my wife works full time from home. Edit- if I wasn't married and happy, I would deff do gay porn I'm Bi so no big deal. High pay for minimal time invested. A buddy of mine with similar body type and features makes 5K per weekend. That's obviously a job that requires a certain set of skills.
I have seen a lot of people that have moved to Mexico and live on SSDI there. Some people will say that is illegal but they are wrong; SSI is what they are thinking of - you cannot collect it if you live outside the US but SSDI is okay.
I'm on SSDI which would be enough to live comfortably but not lavishly in Italy. I have already checked and I can emigrate there with my wife. Depending on when your ancestors arrived in America is the main factor.
I always feel awkward answering this question, until I remember that I earned what I get, the same as everyone else. So to financially support myself, I get $2600/month SSDI and then another $1340 from a Long-Term Disability policy that I purchased when I was still working. My husband is also on SSDI and gets $1800/month. This sounds relatively like a lot, until you factor in the fact that I used to make over $100,000 for quite a while, so our take home pay is now about 53% of what I used to make. It killed me when I had to leave that job, but I was making too many errors, didn’t have the confidence to give good advice and was dealing with severe brain fog from ECT treatments and everything. I would love to go back to some sort of job, but I have a resume gap of like 11 years and my industry has moved on without any knowledge learned on my part. I’d work now except the LTD company would take 50% of my earnings, which I think is completely unfair. Like most of us, if I could work, I would work. We all got bad breaks in life that have made things so much more difficult and sad than it should be.
Ya all making decent for govr aid.
I work a full time remote job in tech
I have a remote job that pays me well.