Hi, all!

I discovered this forum while trying to find information online about SSI, back pay, and things of that nature. I'm planning on posting a little more about my situation in one of the other sub forums later, but I wanted to post here first.

Skipping the details (which I'll post in the other thread I'm planning to open), I found myself unable to work back in 2005. I went through a long period of depression and anger, and on more than one occasion started the process of applying for SSI and SSDI. I found the process to be extremely frustrating, and at the time there was no one willing or able to take me to see the people who could help me get through the process. As a result, I've spent six years laid up. I can't drive a car because I'm afraid I'll lose focus and wreck during a moment of pain, and my mobility has gone through the floor.

Last year I met someone who is also disabled, and we became fast friends. She pushed me through the frustration and fear that came with with the process of getting government help. I started the process in July. I filled out a lot of forms, saw one doctor, and then a couple of weeks ago got a letter telling me I was denied SSDI.

I was upset, but then I got a call telling me I was approved for SSI (I never got the "award" letter, so there's information I need to get off the lady at the SSA, like how long it'll be before I'm up for review).

I can't describe the sense of relief I felt over that! I've been stuck in this rut for so long that I didn't think I was ever going to get out of it.

But now I've hit a bit of a roadblock, because I've seen some really different accounts of what is and isn't acceptable to do with the back pay I've received. It's only for a couple of months, so I didn't get a huge amount, and until I get the Medicaid card and work out 1/4 of the household income, I really don't have any expenses. I went and opened a checking account and deposited the back pay, and will be contacting the lady at SSA about getting future payments direct deposited.

I've started thinking about what I'm going to do: I've been living with my family for six years because of this injury, and I'm considering moving out. The payments aren't nearly enough to rent on my own, so I'll probably get a roommate or maybe rent a room from someone.

When I get the Medicaid card, I want to try and find a pain management doctor who can help me get day-to-day life back to as close to normal as possible. I'd also like to pick up a treadmill, because walking is important apparently (I haven't done a significant amount of it in a very long time, I miss it). I'm also planning to see a dentist, because I could use a bit of work in the oral area, and I need to see a dermatologist about some serious skin issues I've developed in the last couple of years.

In the meantime, I've got some money sitting in the bank. I only opened the account yesterday at the suggestion of the lady at the SSA. I kept a little bit out to help with household expenses, and I made a couple of small purchases with the debit card online last night to see if the thing had been activated. Not much else I can do with it until I get the Medicaid card and figure out where I can use it and where I'll have to conjure cash without it.

But... well... I've been unemployed for six years. And we're right on the cusp of Christmas. I'd sort of like to buy some gifts for my family and friends. These are the people who've taken care of me -- emotionally and physically -- for the last six years. But I've seen so many conflicting reports about what we're allowed to spend the back pay on that I'm literally terrified to spend any of it (I'm even nervous about using any of it to see a dermatologist or see the eye doctor again).

Can I buy some Christmas gifts, or would that get me into trouble?

Sorry to hear of your last 6 years of suffering. Going through any kind of mental or physical illness is no bag of chips. Applying for SSDI/SSI is another whole process, but it sounds like you did get aprroved for SSI (not sure about the denial for SSDI). As far as I know your back pay is yours to spend. Now if you go buy a BMW or something crazy then they may look at you and question things, but xmas gifts for family and friends, go buy them something if you want to. Go to the dentist and eye doctor too, but if you are going to get medical coverage soon (which you should being on SSI) why pay out of pocket, unless you want to go to your own doctors and not the ones medicaid pays for?

I was told as long as your bank account for SSDI/SSI $$ is kept seperate from any other $$$ you have and they do not ever comingle, then if you have creditors or debt collectors looking for you, they cannot take your SSDI?SSI account. You can also get one of those Direct Express Debit cards, has a MasterCard logo on it. They can deposit your monthly $$ right on there and you can check your purchases, balances right online on their website. Your call.

Try to enjoy your Christmas and spend a little if it makes you feel good!!!

I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to see a dentist or dermatologist with medicaid, but I've since read that there are those who accept medicaid. I just have to find one. I live in a small town, there aren't an overabundance of medical people to being with. Options are slender.

Honestly, I'm not experienced with SSI. You should qualify for state Medicaid in all likelihood at this point. Don't spend any money on things that'll be covered by insurance. You can probably also qualify for food stamps as well. Some state's will match or give you a percentage of your SSI benefits. You might also be able to get housing assistance. If you do apply for other benefits, they'll expect you to be conservative in your backpay. I'd caution you to be very careful with your backpay, regardless. Buy Christmas gifts if you want, but be frugal, especially if you want to live independently. SSI alone is very difficult to live on. In CA, the state matches SSI funds, because it would be impossible to survive on SSI alone.

You were probably denied SSDI because you waited so long to apply.

The resource limit for SSI recipients is $2000. Retroactive SSI and SSDI benefits are excluded from the $2000 resource limit for nine months after receipt. Whatever is left over at that point is considered a countable resource. Any month that you have over $2000 in countable resources as of the first moment of the first day of the month, you are inelgible for SSI benefits.

Resources include many things, not just money in the bank. Some resources are countable. Some are excluded. There is no judgement made by SSA about how you spend your retroactive benefits, but you can't lie about it and you can't give it away or share the 'wealth' with others. SSI is public assistance for you, not for everyone else you know.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0501100000

Thanks for the information, folks. I appreciate it.

I did end up spending a little bit of money on Christmas gifts (less than $100 in total) but mostly I've purchased things I need -- food, dental hygiene stuff, shelving for the house, shoes, a coat, and the pièce pièce de résistance: a treadmill! Wal Mart had it on clearance by mistake, so I got it for nearly $100 cheaper than they meant to be selling it. I've wanted a treadmill for a long time, because where I live, going out and walking isn't really an option. It's not a particularly safe area, and there are a lot of health issues that would make it even less safe. Especially if I get too far from the house and end up falling on my butt.

I've not decided if I'm going to try and use it until after I've gotten on a pain management program, but I'm really excited to get started. I need to lose weight desperately, I need to build up my wind, and I'm hoping all of these things will help me on the road to not needing SSI anymore. I don't want this to be a forever thing, I want to get back on my feet and go to school and have a proper life.

Thanks again for the info.

I'm on SSDI so these questions don't concern me. What about being on SSI and CC debt? Can you use a credit card while on SSI? What about a cash advance? Can you file bankruptcy and still collect SSI?

SSI recipients can use credit cards, go into as much debt as they want, file bankruptcy, make as many bad financial decisions as everyone else. If an SSI recipient takes a cash advance or a large cash loan, the receipt of the money is not income (because it is debt) but holding on to the money through the following month does make the money a resource.

Money received from credit cards and banks are valid debt. Money received from family and friends may not be valid debt. SSI may consider money from family and friends as a gift.

I assume that going back to school is supposed to lead to education that will allow you to get a job that will lead to being self-supporting. That is exactly the point of SSI work incentives - ticket to work, plan for acheiving self support, section 1619b eligibility for working disabled SSI recipients. You should read about work incentives at socialsecurity.gov and get very familiar with it.

Yes sir (or ma'am).

I'm a writer, but that doesn't really pay bills (I've only been published once, and I didn't even cash the $15 check. I opted to frame it instead.) I also edit a web series, but that doesn't pay the bills either (I do it for free, out of love for the craft).

Those are things I could craft into a career with time and care I suppose, but it's mighty difficult to sit at a PC all day when the slow burn of pain builds to a boiling point.

My real field of interest lies in mental health. To turn that into a profession, it's going to take eight years of school. I haven't even started exploring the possibility however, because sitting through a a number of lectures every day is bound to be impossible when sitting in one position for more than 20 minutes is excruciating. So my plan is to get healthy again, then go to school, then go out into the world and help those who can't help themselves emotionally.

To paraphrase the great Dave Lister, "It's me plan. I planned it."