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Janke · 09-29-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterkatamari

This is sorta long, so I apologize. So you don't have to read it all--but my main question is this: I'm 22, live with my father and can't work due to a spinal injury. Is SSI an option? (If you wanna read the rest, then thanks, I appreciate it. lol!)

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and might be active in several of the different ares, but I had a specific topic I was wanting to get some advice/input on so I came here.

I'm a 22 year old male. I had scoliosis since I was a child, but it is considered moderate--not that bad. As I got older, though, my spine seems to be deteriorating (degenerative disc disease/facet arthritis/etc). I was working for 2 1/2 years as a waiter at a Denny's restaurant. It was the only job I ever held.

Then, last December--around the 30th, I woke up in extreme pain. To make this story short--I have 2 herniated discs in my lumbar spine. No known cause, so no injury at work or anything like that. I just have degenerative changes in my discs and facets for whatever reason. The one herniation impinged my nerve root, severe pain through my entire left side from the hip down. It also caused numbness in the groin/inner thigh area. I went to a neurologist, and I'm seeing a surgeon now.

Basically, due to my scoliosis--I am not a surgical candidate. I can't have my herniated discs removed because I would need a multiple level fusion that I could possibly not recover from. So I've been in severe chronic pain since 2010. I lost my job due to it, and have been unable to do much of anything. I often have to have my family take me to appointments because its really painful to sit up and drive sometimes. Plus my medication sometimes makes me unable to drive.

I tried going to school (college) for classes this year, but I just couldn't make accommodations. I may be able to do online classes, but now I really feel like it might just be in vain. If I am stuck with this pain...I can't work, its really that bad. It's depressing, and since I also have severe depression & anxiety--it adds to my mental issues! lol! Awful cycles!

Anyhow, I have been staying away from the 'D' word for this entire year. I live with my father and boyfriend, so we are getting by...sort of. My savings are running out though, so I have little money left for my own expenses. Now my dad is having problems paying the mortgage, and with me being unable to help I really feel like its time I seriously consider applying or looking into SSI.

I'm not eligible for SSDI due to having only worked 2 years. So that's not an option. I also was ineligible for unemployment, so I had no luck there money wise.

I had state insurance through medicaid, due to my mental disability/condition. So when I was working I qualified for insurance through what they call 'workers with disability'. When I lost my job, though, my general doctor declared me at least temporarily disabled until I saw my neurosurgeon for options--that way I kept my insurance. He said if we needed to extend that decision, he'd help me out.

So basically, I'm really new to all this. I don't understand if I can even get SSI, if I should go for it...its really intimidating and upsetting for me at times. I was looking forward to making it on my own, and now I rely on others completely. If I can't ever work again, I need to know what my options are.

Can you get SSI even if you live with someone else who makes money? My father was a welfare worker, so he told me I should be able to get SSI--but that they take into consideration something called income in kind. Meaning the things my father provides for me like rent free housing, etc. So that concerns me.

I don't expect tons of money, just a small amount to help support myself would be nice. It takes money to even try and get well.

Another thing that bothers me is that my condition is really based on my chronic pain. It isn't that I can't work because it will cause me injury--its that I can't work because I sorta can't move. I have troubles getting up stairs and must constantly change positions and do things like recline or lie down to reduce the pain. Engaging in any real activity, like walking causes increased pain--and then stuff like lifting and bending and twisting is just a no go.

Basically, what I am asking is if it sounds like I am disabled. lol!

It's weird because I just feel guilty because even though I can't work...I know other people are in way worse shape than me. So I feel ashamed, but I don't know what else to do. I just wonder if I really have a case. I am continuing treatment for both my mental and physical problems, and I'm going to bring this to their attention and ask them too.

Anyhow, thanks for any input at all. If you actually read through this novel--thank you, and sorry for writing so much for my first post! I hope to be active and respond to other peoples' posts too.

What makes you think that 2 1/2 years is not enough work for an SSDI claim? Did someone tell you that? I would not rely on anecdotal evidence. I wouldn't rely on what anyone, even me, tells you in this forum. It is not true that at age 22, SSDI would expect you to have worked 10 years. When you are under age 31, the work requirement is less 5 years out of the last 10. It is possible that you have enough credits. Or maybe you don't. File a claim. Allege an onset of disability as birth since your scoliosis began there. Doesn't mean SSDI or SSI will agree with that date - the employee who processes your claim will have to determine if all the work you have done in your life represents substantial gainful activity or an unsuccessful work attempt. You need to be prepared with the date of employment (date hired, date quit) of each job and the monthly amounts you made. SSA will have annual amounts but needs monthly amounts to make an SGA decision.

Whether you only want a little money to help you or you want alot of money is not a factor in finding you disabled. So get that thought out of your thinking process. You state you are unable to work. It is up to the regulations of the programs to determine if you meet the rules and how much you qualify for. You don't get any points added for being sweet and nice; you don't get any points taken away for being greedy. Yes, SSI will consider in-kind income and will put a value on the free shelter your dad is providing. I don't see a reason to be concerned about it.

SSI makes decisions on money that you have or money that is available to you. So if your dad or your friend give you money or lets you use their bank account then their money is considered your money. SSI does not expect you to be homeless in order to be considered needy. You are an adult so dad's money no longer matters. You do not have a legal marriage recognized by SSA, so your boyfriend's money doesn't matter.

You don't say when you stopped working but today is the 29th of September and if you don't establish an intent to file a claim in September for SSI, then you cannot use September as a filing month. You will have lost at least one month's potential benefit. Act now.

On 9/30/11, call 1-800-772-1213 and make an appointment to file a claim for SSI and SSDI. Over the weekend, go to socialsecurity.gov and start an online application. Make it a priority. Completing a thorough application and disability report may take you 3 hours, it may take you 10 hours; depends upon how many medical sources you have and if you know their addresses. Focus on medical treating sources for the last two years. You don't need to drudge up your baby doctor's name and address.

You could get denied and you could appeal. You could be approved. Neither will happen if you don't file a claim. Act now.

I can't help with your guilt. You need to work that out with your family, your friends, your counselor, your priest. I will say that it sounds like you did NOTHING to create the situation, so your guilt is probably misplaced. And it is hard to ask for help. But that is why the programs exist.

If you are approved, I would suggest that you not follow the conventional wisdom offered on this site that you should never try to work again. If you were 50 or 55, maybe so, but at age 22, you should take full advantage of the work incentives, but only AFTER you have been entitled for 12 months.

Call today. Act now.