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.

From your story it's a non-medical humble opinion that you have a good chance of getting SSI which is dependent on income and assets.
The maximum federal bebefit you would get is $674.
Depending on the state you live in, there are additional benefits from the state.
At that income level there are numerous programs you can take advantage of including lower phone rates, gas rates, electric rates, etc.
Good luck,
Trudi

Thanks SSDIHelp.

I know no one on here can tell me for sure whether I am eligible or not, so if anyone else comments--just know that I'm not asking for a professional opinion or anything, just you thoughts based upon experience, etc.

So it sounds like maybe I should go ahead and give my local office a call here once I see my Neurosurgeon again. I'll bring it up to him and see if he agrees that I may be dealing with this chronic pain long term. If so, then I'll take the next step.

One thing at a time I guess.

Start by reading the sticky "Don't start your claim unprepared." I also suggest you purchase a book like "Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability" or check out a copy from your local library.

Next, speak with all of your docs to see if they'd be supportive of a SSD claim.

Regarding going to college, were they unable to provide you with the correct accomodations, or were you unable to manage due to pain, etc?

You would likely qualify for a job with special accomodations for the disabled. Many of these include working from home and have flexible hours. How many hours a week could you be functional with sedentary work with accomodations? If it's less than 20, you should be able to qualify for SSD.

You might consider contacting your local Voc Rehab Agency. They'll have you tested and try to determine if you are capable of performing any type of work.

All that being said--you didn't choose what age you were when you became afflicted with your issues. A worker that has been on the job for 20 years is no more entitled to benefits than you are. The severity of disability is the determining factor. SS makes it easier for older workers (50/55) not because they "paid their dues" but because they have less time to adapt to their disability before retirement.

Pain can be a major factor when determining disability. Again severity is key. Side effects of meds are absolutely considered. By the time someone with chronic pain is taking strong opiates, they are often no longer able to work.

The younger you are, the harder it is to qualify, but DON"T let that effect your decision to file! If your disability is severe enough to keep you from working, than you should apply. Do not feel guilt or shame for needing SSI. You do need some financial independence!

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.

Thanks for the reply!

I was unable to attend classes because I wasn't able to get through the pain. When I went to campus, I was unable to sit or stand for long and couldn't walk up the stairs without being in bad pain. The reason it's not really feasible to go is because no matter what I'm gonna be in that level of pain, even if I am able to move around--just because of how long I have to be up and going without reclining or lying down like I do at home. So the pain is just too much, and even if I could stand it it's distracting as all get out. All you're thinking about is ANYTHING to get rid of the pain, I couldn't take in anything from my classes. So, its mainly that my pain level is too high right now. There is a chance I can maybe find some relief eventually even without surgery...but that is why I'm going to my Neurosurgeon again. I've already had epidurals and tried narcotics to no avail, so we'll see what other options I have.


Also, I am actively involved with what they call here in PA the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. I was getting tuition help from them. I was working with them due to my mental disability, but now that I have this spine injury I don't think that they are finding me particular attractive for funding. As in, right now they feel it is unlikely that I would be able to work and so they have no reason to help fund my school tuition. They have job training and things like that, but I'm not quite sure what all they could offer for me specifically based on what they said on my last visit. Maybe I can be more specific and explain everything to them again.

Also, to the other person who asked how I knew I didn't qualify for actual SSDI--it is because I don't have enough 'credits'. I spoke with SS directly. It's less that I worked only 2 years and more that I only accumulated so many 'credits'. I forget how many I needed, but I was no where close to having enough to qualify. I didn't really expect to be able to, but it was still a let down to know my work didn't amount to much in that aspect. lol!

Thanks everyone! I'll check out all the information here and consult with my doctors. If I have a chance to work and have a career, I'll definitely take it. I wanna feel better...I just haven't been getting good news with that wish, so I guess I just have to be more realistic and work with what I got.

If you can't attend college part-time do to pain, then you're not going to be able to work even part-time. Attending classes under 10 hours a week is about as sedentary as you can get.

Get copies of your file from Voc Rehab.

Reread Janke's advice, and follow it!

And start your application right away.

Thanks again. Lots of good advice, and I really appreciate it.

It's ironic that it takes so much effort to get this kind of thing going. It'd be so much easier to be well enough to get my job back. :P

I guess I just have lots of studying to do on this and lots of calls to make to see where I am in this. To those who said I should call and make an app for SSI ASAP, do you think I should do this like really ASAP? That is to say, should I do this without seeing my neurosurgeon and asking for his opinion again? I don't see him until the first week of October so, I was planning on filing after seeing the doctor and listening to what he said.

Your choice to give up one month's possible benefit by delaying. Your choice.

Thanks for letting me know, anyhow. I wasn't aware of the deadline and past benefit thing before. I'll keep it in mind, so that next month when I get my news I can schedule a SS office visit as soon as possible.