I've been self employed for most of my life, but was recently denied for SSI and I need help deciding what to do next. I've run my own auto shop for 20+ years, but increasing health issues have made it nearly impossible to get through a day of work. I'm the only one working there, no employees working for me, but I was denied because I have "managerial abilities." It seems the only way they'll accept my claim is if I sell my business, but I'm afraid of the risk. If I sell my business and still get denied, I am left with no income, no way to support my household. Has anyone else who was self employed gone through anything like this?

You probably applied for SSDI, not SSI. SSI is a needs-based disability program. SSDI is based on work history.

How about hiring someone to run the business and turning all managerial duties over to them? Yes, it will cost you money, but then you later decide if you want to sell the business or return to it, you'll still own it.

If you can't work in the business, you won't have any income to support your household either. How much is your business worth? If you did sell it, how much would you get from the sale? Could you use that money to ilive on while you were waiting for an SSDI claim? Do you have any private disability insurance?

It's a tough decision, but one you may have to make, sooner or later. You do need to know that qualifying for SSDI even without the business is not a slam dunk; usually 2 out 3 applicants are denied at the initial level and that if you have to go through the appeal process, it can be a year or more before you see an administrative law judge and then you still might not be approved.

It will be hard for you to keep running the business and qualify for SSDI. Maybe you should talk to one or more attorneys about your medical condition and they can give you an informed guess about your chances of approval. If I were in your situation, I would choose a local small firm and talk to an actual attorney over a large national firm who has a large support staff because you would get more personalized answers.

You might also consider finding an easier job that you could do for the next five or ten years and sell your business.