Work issues - they want me to work part time
 

After a couple months of bad pain, the pain pump, the migraine, my boss told me that they want to reduce my hours until I get better. Um, I won't get better. But I did get the pain pump and my brain is coming back some, the pain isn't so intense I can't concetrate.

I felt like they were trying to fire me. I talked to my other co-worker, who knew about this before I did, and she said they really just want my brain back and the new-normal me. She said they did NOT want to let me go, they just want me to recover.

They, including my husband, said it would be a good opportunity to try to get better, but it's not like resting a few hours a day is going to make a difference in all of that for the long run. I feel like it's all or nothing. I told my boss to give me a week, let me talk to my doctor.

Part of this issue is that my husband does not really work. He make a little from time to time doing computer stuff, but he hasn't worked a real job in a decade as he's the stay at home parent, and two, has major social deficits and had a hard time dealing with bosses. I'm scared to death to think I may have to rely on him alone for an income. I don't even know how much I'd get on SSDI if I had to. The calculator tells me one amount but I think it's inflated and can't trust it.

I know I'm depressed, sore, migraine, but I just don't see a solution. Either I work or I don't, and if I don't it'll be at least semi-permanent. It's not an option to change positions either, I can't do anything easy because I'd be bored out of my head (like data entry I suppose). I could never make enough money doing something like that either.

Help.

What sort of work do you do?
I've had to give up completely and my husband now bringing in the main income. I used to earn more than him and our combined wage got us through comfortably. Now with his wage they say he earns too much for me to get disability. I know that feeling of being bored, I so want o go back to work, I miss it along with the social interaction and engaging of the brain. Now I even dream about working, going for interviews and getting the job, each dream revolves around something resulting in high anxiety and ultimately wakes me. It's so frustrating.

I get where you are:( work can be hard with the climate and you want to do something and do it well but there are new limits to find.

I am only on drugs for it at the moment but think I need to see my doctor again as I think I might be a bit depressed or at a low point or something. you try to stay positive and do your best but you never know what other people are thinking. I know I am feed up with it so I expect everyone else it too :(

I work for a money manager, doing stock trading, research, etc.

I don't get why your husband's income would make a difference on YOUR benefits.

Chaos I feel so bad that you are being put in this position. I think if you want to work full time you should continue to do so. As all of us with CPRS learn quickly from this disease is you either use it or lose it. I (and this is strictly just a opinion ) would worry that by going to part time I would lose the ability to work full time. Not only from a physical and mental stand point but by my employer having to fill the hours of work I had gave up to another person. Also are you on the family leave act? By cutting your hours would you still work enough hours to still qualify for the family care act? Also you are correct that SSI and SSD take into account your husbands income. Some food for thought how far from the age of 52 are you? If you would still qualify for the family leave Act and you feel secure they are not trying to get rid of you, maybe it would be okay for you to go to part time. I would be sure that your employer agrees that you can decide if and when you are ready to return full time. Maybe you could ask them to put this in writing so you feel secure that they will live up to there word. If you doubt them about you being able to return full time or if my hours dropped bellow the required need for FMLA. I myself would not agree to it. Also if you don't have far to go to the Age of 52 I would look into the laws of receiving SSD under your husbands name. I believe I am correct in that 52 you can get social security under your husbands name if disabled regardless of income. Lol I am paying from my phone and not my computer so hoping this makes some sense. I will problaly get home and look and the postings all kinda of random.

Chaos, that is really tough. I think no one can tell you what you should do. Only you really know what would be best for you. (Well, I say you know but sometimes I feel like I have no idea what would be the best thing to do with this stupid disease.)

I'm sure its not an easy decision and I think you are right not to rush it.

I think if you want to work and you feel that you are handling it okay...then you should continue to work and not step down to part time.

Everyone has to do what is best for them...but like you said...will working a few less hours a week actually make a difference for you pain wise? I know it doesn't for me...and I am miserable when I am not working (except when I am on vacation and doing other things). Being at work actually helps me to take my mind off the pain...or at least focus on things besides the pain and when I am at home it's MUCH harder to focus on anything but the pain I am in.

Plus...the stress of worrying about money/financial issues and the well being of your husband if he has to go into an environment that is not good for him...these could make any benefit to your health staying home balance out to zero. I am much happier and better able to deal with my pain working full time than I was when I was completely off work and we were living on only one salary with loads of debt and doctors bills.

Take care and good luck trying to sort it all out. It's not an easy decision or situation to deal with.

Very Confused by your post
 

Dear KWolter,

I am very confused by your post. Social Security Disability (as I understand it) is awarded to a disabled person. It is not means tested. It has nothing to do with a spouse. (Unless you are talking about family benefits based upon the disabled person.)

Assets are considered (including marital assets) for Supplemental Income benefits. (SSI)

Are you talking about RETIREMENT benefits? That is an entirely different matter than disability.

Age 52 ??? I have never seen anything about reaching age 52. Age 62, Yes, for early retirement benefits on one's own record or partial retirement benefits on the record of a spouse under specific conditions.

You reference SSI and SSD. I think I have either misunderstood your post or you are providing erroneous information. Either way, I think you should clarify. I have highlighted a few items in color that need either correction or clarification.

Any clarification will be appreciated.

In Australia
 

Hi, I'm the one who posted about not being eligible for disability benefits due to my husbands income. In Australia it is means tested, because he earns above the minimum wage it's classified as too much. If we were separated I would be eligible.

Hi PamelaJune,

I was not referring to your post but to a post from KWolter in NEW YORK, in the USA.

I just did not want anyone to be confused by the regulations that were being stated as those in the United States. Maybe KWolter was not referring to US rules but that is what I understood. That is why I was asking him/her for clarification.

I am sorry that you are ineligible in Australia due to means testing.

Sometimes I forget that not everyone on NT is from the United States but I made an assumption that KWolter was talking about US rules since he/she is listed as a New Yorker.

I am sorry if I have made things more confusing. Thanks for the info about Australia.