You're too ill to work, but the SSDI process takes so long for approval how can you survive while waiting?

The SAD truth is after personal resources run out, the disabled often become financially dependent on their family, or worse yet, they end up homeless. I've met both varieties over the years.

I can't tell you how many healthy people have told me they couldn't stop working if they became disabled--as if it's a choice--as if they could somehow tough it out, so to speak. Are there people who are approved for SSDI who can work? YES. Are there people who can't work, even PT, that are denied for SSDI. YUP!

Is the difference an evil judge? A bad attorney? A crazy vocational expert? It can feel that way at times. In hindsight, I substantially lengthed the approval process by not doing adequate research my first go around when I was being represented by an attorney. My best advice is to hire the best attorney you can find, but be prepared as if you were representing yourself. Know what is in your file! (I brought a friend who did all the copying for me.) At the ALJ hearing level you do not want to be blindsided by documents from experts you've never met. Read. Research. Repeat.

ASSUME the SSDI approval process will take years! Utilize any other resources available in your area.

Is there a waiting list for housing assitance in your area? The list might seem absurdly long, but it might happen faster than a Fully Favorable SSDI decision. Some housing programs will even bump you to the top if you're disabled.

I made a rather costly blunder of not filing an application for state disibility after I was injured since it was a Worker's Comp claim. There was a window of more than a year when I had zero income and wished I had known to preserve those state benefits.

Check to see if your community has a transportation program for the disabled. An aquaintance I knew was getting rent money from her church while using child support for SUV payments, it still was repo'd, just many months and several thousand dollars later. Argh. Once the car was gone she was less stressed and as it turned out, her doc had her license yanked anyway.

The YMCA has warm water classes that amount to physical therapy which are free or low cost for households with low incomes.

If you're too ill to be proactive regarding your local resources ask a friend and/or family to help. And, I'm sure others on the board have better suggestions than I, so please add your two cents!

Good info LIT LOVE. Here is my two cents

I can shed some light on rental assistance, as that was my expertise for 25+ years. Rental assistance is available from two sources: Privately-owned Subsidized Housing and Public Housing Authorities. The Public Housing Authorities have 2 programs: 1) Public Housing is renting at a physical property owned by the local housing authority. 2) The Housing Choice Voucher program allows you to choose where you live (with some restrictions), and the housing authority will pay the landlord the rent above ‘Tenant Rent’.

‘Tenant Rent’ is the portion you will pay based on your income. Calculation of rent is generally the same at both Privately-owned housing and Public Housing Authorities: 30% of your ‘Adjusted Income’, less an allowance for average utility costs. So, if you have no income, you would pay no rent. If you do have income, and have a verified disability, the cost of medical treatment will be deducted from your actual income to arrive at the ‘Adjusted Income’. Many times your disability cannot be verified until your SSI/SSDI is approved. So, you would not be able to claim medical bills until then.

The preference for elderly/disabled was once mandatory for both programs. In the late nineties, the federally mandated preference was revoked, and replaced by an Optional preference. In my experience, only Public Housing Authorities still apply the Optional preference for elderly/disabled. The reason is that the Public Housing Authorities have only 2 programs with only 1 definition of disability.

There are 18 different programs for Privately-owned Subsidized Housing, and six different definitions of disability. The definition of disability that is applied depends on the program the property is operating under. Many times more than one program can exist at a given property, making the application of a disability preference difficult.

The size of apartment you will qualify for depends on your family size. You will find that most Privately-owned and Public Housing have adopted the HUD occupancy recommendations of: Minimum one person per bedroom, and maximum two people per bedroom. So, a single person would only qualify for a one bedroom, where a family of 4 could qualify for a 2, 3 or 4 bedroom.

HUD has a website with a great search engine for both Privately-owned and Public Housing.

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/po...tal_assistance

At the same page is a link for Housing Counseling Agencies. If you are not interested in subsidized rentals, the Housing Counseling Agencies would be the place to start, as they can provide help and advice with your current housing situation.

If you are interested in a subsidized rental, here is what you can anticipate for average wait times. This, of course, will vary depending on where you live.

• Public Housing (physical property): 2-3 months
• Privately-owned: 2-4 bedroom: 3-6 months
• Privately-owned: 1 bedroom: 9-12 months
• Privately-owned restricted to elderly/disabled: 12-15 months
• Housing Choice Voucher Program: 1-2 years

Hi LL,

What a great idea for a topic !

It would be great to get this stickied at the top of this forum for easy access for newbies. The devastating financial strain that so many disabled people face while waiting for a decision on SSDI is a huge concern for so many of us.

Not every state offers these programs. I know in South Florida you chances of getting into a hud housing is minimal. If you do qualify the neighborhoods are not very inviting.

These are Federal, not State programs. If you check the link I provided, you will see there is assisted housing available in every state, including Puerto Rico.

I did indicate the average wait times varied by location. They are national averages - meaning some areas will be less, others higher.

It is true that subsidized housing stock is generally located in the poorer neighborhoods. However, most people on a limited income can't afford to live in the more affluent neighborhoods anyway. This gives them an option for rental assistance.

Florida has section 8 housing. Here is a link http://www.gosection8.com/section_8_...g_rentals.aspx

With Section 8 there are times when cities within the same county have substantially different waiting periods. City A has a two year waiting period, City B has openings. Or dozens of other complexities that I've heard about in passing, but which I'm no expert on, which is why I so appreciate the advice of those that are.

Just because it is difficult for many to be approved for SSI/SSDI, should everyone dismiss the program? I'm thinking that would be a no. Section 8 is not going to be a quick fix for everyone, or maybe anyone, but it is an important resource for many that are disabled.

Someone I knew, who was a PITA, jumped the 1-2 year waiting line for Section 8 housing in a city near me. She was already in a local housing program for single mothers, so she was not in a homeless situation. Her new home was in a very safe area of town and was very nice.

There are always ways to get the seemingly impossible done.

A call to your local United Way is a good idea, since they will often be familiar with local housing programs. In my area there are several, all with there own requirements.

Also, consider the possibilty of moving. Maybe the next city over, maybe the next county, half way across the state, to a different state, or across the country. Only you can make the decision, weigh your options. Just realize, there are resources available in different locations that might work for you.

From the following link choose your state,

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/states

then view what resources are available.

You can also try dialing 2-1-1 from a land line for health and human services which includes emergency housing.

legalmania:

If you follow this link http://www.shelterlistings.org/ use the options

18 and Over
Permanent Affordable Housing
Florida

you would see there are currently 85 listings. That should give someone living in the state of FL information to start with.