SSDI-Jury Duty?
 

Been on SSDI for almost 6 yrs and just got the jury duty questionnaire in the mail. Because of my disabilities I won't be able too do jury duty. I will call them on Monday and ask them what information they need. I have a doctors appt. this week if they need an excuse but with my other doctor it takes weeks to get an appt. plus they need the form back within 10 days.

Anyone ever have to deal with this? Does Social Security consider Jury Duty as work? I would have thought that the government would have known already that I'm disabled but I guess they choose potential jury duty members through driver's license's.

Jury duty is usually for your county, so it is separate from most federal and state gov.
I don't know if your county has a website that has more details about jury duty?

If you have your accepted disability papers that might be all you need for proof to be excluded from jury duty. Or I think a official note from one of your drs would suffice as well.

this is what my county website ( Oregon ) says
[For other types of excuse requests, you must show good cause why you should be excused. Requests by phone to be excused by these standards are not accepted. If you are self-employed or not paid by your employer for time spent on jury duty, you are not exempt from jury duty. If you have a critical medical condition, or otherwise have a critical conflict with jury duty, you must explain your situation in writing. Include proof such as a doctor's complete explanation, including whether or not you work outside the home, travel itinerary or copy of tickets, etc. In most cases you will not be excused, but we may be able to defer your term of service to a date not more than one year from your original summons. In your correspondence, propose several dates which you can serve (No Mondays)….Send your letter immediately. The court will act promptly on your request. You will be notified if your request is denied. Send letters to:]
and
[Anyone with a disability who needs accommodation to participate in jury service may advise the court of the disability and type of accommodation by telephone, TTY, or letter as soon as possible prior to jury service. ]
http://courts.oregon.gov/Washington/...faq.aspx#jury7

I called and they said just check no if you have a reason for not doing jury duty and if later if you are picked for jury duty,then get an excuse.

I've gotten called for jury duty a few times since I became disabled, but before I was approved for SSDI.

I couldn't get transportation to jury duty OR sit for any length of time back at that time, so I had to decline serving. I believe my first response to the court was deferring service. A few months later, I got called again. That time I was able to send them documentation from my doctor, because I had an appointment in the interim. I got called again a year or two later and had to repeat the whole scenario. Since getting SSDI, I was called again. I was in a much better place in terms of my pain control and thought I could manage it. I couldn't. I was able to drive down that day, but NEEDED to lay down after I got there. HAD to take meds, then had to lay down in my car for 4 hours until it wore off and I was okay to drive. Not a fun day.

I think they finally have it down that they shouldn't call me anymore.

I was in this exact situation a couple of years ago. I spoke to my pdoc and he typed me up a letter stating that I am unable to do jury duty. I faxed it to the county office and they excused me from jury duty.

jury duty
 

My Dr had to fax a note to the clerk of court excuseing me from any further appearances .. you might want to do that

Picture of Dog
 

Every time I see a post from you, I love seeing the picture of the dog. Thanks, it helps since I am no longer capable of caring for a dog. I never thought I would ever be without a dog but life threw me a curve ball. I miss having a dog but it would not be fair to the dog since I have trouble just taking care of myself. Thanks again. I LOVE the picture.

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Thanks Hope. I'm purposefully not adding the "less" there, although I've been there, done that, and understand the sentiment !

My Kayla-kook came into our lives after I became disabled, when I was in a very dark place. I didn't have the correct meds and treatments that I have now, that help give me some sense of control over my disability and pain issues. I was always a cat person. Had nothing against dogs, loved other people's dogs, but recognized and was afraid of the more work and responsibility factor. My husband is allergic to cats, so that was an out for us. My youngest son had been BEGGING for a dog for years, so my husband decided that because I was then home all day, I could let the dog out into the yard for potty breaks during the day and he/the kids would take care of everything else.

I think Kayla saved me. She stuck by my side 24/7. She was a 1 year old rescue and was toilet trained when we got her. If I had to be in bed all day, she stayed with me and just held her tinkle. My first breaks from the pain came from just talking to her/playing with her for a minute.....and not thinking of my ever constant pain. It grew to tolerating bending over to pet her, and make her happy, even though it hurt my body to move that way.....it was worth the pain for the kisses. As I started to get better relief from new doctors and new meds, Kayla was thrilled to have me play more with her. If I overdo and have a bad day, she's still by my side in bed all day. This past year, I am really pushing to try to manage some of my other health issues. With my doc's support, and more pain meds, I'm getting out walking most days and trying to eat better. Kayla's walks were few and far between when it was up to my husband and the kids. Her happy dance now as soon as she sees my sneakers come out, makes me smile.....and helps me get motivated to get out there for a walk, when it would hurt less if I stayed home.

I am lucky that family can help with all of the tough stuff.....helping to wrestle her into the vets office, carry those big bags of dog food, etc. Seeing her tail wag makes me smile every time......and helps distract me from pain. That kind of puppy love is priceless.

I'm sorry that you can't have that in your life right now. It's ANOTHER way that our disabilities can wreck our lives.:hug:

Sharing
 

Thanks for sharing with me about your dog. I live alone and my 130 lb dog and I got debilitated about the same time. She had bone cancer and could no longer stand or walk. After she died, I attempted to dog sit on a few occasions when a friend had to go out of town for work. That is when I realized that a dog "full-time" was more than I could handle. Thanks for posting the picture. Just seeing it makes me feel better.