Depression, Unemployment and Reaching a Settlement - Next

[bean29]

I’m sorry you were denied. My Dad was Bi-Polar, but worked as an Electrician until he was about your age. He went back to work after each episode, then broke his hip and he had been suffering from arthritis. He applied for SDDI, but never pursued it after initial denial. I think it was a mistake. I am glad to hear you will appeal yours.

[finnime]

It's shitty to have to prove to faceless judges that you are disabled. I really don't believe there are large numbers of people eager to even say they're disabled without absolutely having to. It's rough. Who would want to be unable given any choice?

[finnime]

Jun 30, 2018 11:27:40 GMT -5 buystoys said:

Thank you, so much, for sharing your story finnime . 

ETA:  I was also denied SSDI for PTSD, MDD, and anxiety.  I've appealed it and obtained an attorney.  Good luck to you!

I'm pulling for you. Hope it all goes smoothly from here on out.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jun 30, 2018 12:54:21 GMT -5 finnime said:

It's shitty to have to prove to faceless judges that you are disabled. I really don't believe there are large numbers of people eager to even say they're disabled without absolutely having to. It's rough. Who would want to be unable given any choice?

I think this is part of the problem though: There are, unfortunately, plenty of people who will lie. It ruins it for people who actually qualify. 

[seriousthistime]

Jun 30, 2018 13:15:57 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Jun 30, 2018 12:54:21 GMT -5 finnime said:

It's shitty to have to prove to faceless judges that you are disabled. I really don't believe there are large numbers of people eager to even say they're disabled without absolutely having to. It's rough. Who would want to be unable given any choice?

I think this is part of the problem though: There are, unfortunately, plenty of people who will lie. It ruins it for people who actually qualify. 

Right.  I was trying to find a link to an episode of This American Life that aired a few years ago, and I found this:  apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/   It discusses how states love to get people off welfare and onto SSDI because it shifts the costs to the federal government. And when unemployment is high, disability claims increase.  When jobs are abundant, disability claims go down.  

There was also a SSDI fraud case within the past year or two, out of Eastern Kentucky.  The lawyer, doctor, and the judge had a conspiracy to defraud the government out of $500+ million, one disability claim at a time.  When the conspiracy was uncovered, the individuals who'd been getting disability were shut off and forced to submit new documentation.  Many of them were not approved for disability after further review.  There are numerous newspaper articles about this.  Google "Eric Conn," who was running his practice out of a trailer or two, with a statue of Abe Lincoln and the Statue of Liberty in the yard.  Reminiscent of "Better Call Saul."

finnime, your motives are pure, and those with pure motives often think the motives of others are pure.   Unfortunately, the liars are clogging up the system and making it very difficult for the truly disabled to get quick SSDI decisions in their favor, and why every "I" must be dotted, and every "T" must be crossed.  

[finnime]

It's true, I do have trouble imagining anyone more than a few fraudsters actually lying about being disabled. Are we overrun with liars and cheats in our social security programs? It doesn't make sense to me that we would be. It would be so much better (it seems clear to me) to be able; to depend on oneself.

[countrygirl2]

I had to appeal for my mentally challenged daughter.  Documentation out the cahzoo, couldn't really read or write much of anything, all kinds of issues and from paper they made a determination she could get a job.

I told the person in Austin, I will bring her down and we can get together and find that job for her.  Her IQ was probably near  60.  We were finally sent, not by the state, to a psychiatrist and he said this is a big disservice.  He said she would get it, I have no idea what he wrote  up, but she finally did.  We only were interested in the insurance for her as we lost ours on her.  But it took quite sometime.  That made no sense at all.

[Peace77]

Finnime,

It seems that there are some misunderstandings about SSDI.
You can't backdate your application. The effective date is the date Social Security gets your application. That starts the clock. There are no benefits paid for the 5 months after the application is submitted, unless you also applied for SSI.

In order to be approved, your condition has to be expected to last at least a year. You have mentioned returning to work. Unfortunately, that will count against you.

You have to be unable to do any kind of work. So if someone was unable to continue a blue collar job, SS figures they could do something easier such as work as a file clerk.

You can't be working at all while your application is pending but after its approved, you can with part time up to the SGA amount, SGA is substantial gainful amount, a limit decided by SS each year. It's currently $1,180. Earn that much or more and you start the process of coming off SSDI. You first get a 9 month trial work period.
If you earn close to the SGA amount, you can trigger a review. They re-examine your case to see if you are still disabled. During the first several years, everyone is subject to possible review anyway.

[finnime]

Jul 3, 2018 3:23:24 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Finnime,

It seems that there are some misunderstandings about SSDI.
You can't backdate your application. The effective date is the date Social Security gets your application. That starts the clock. There are no benefits paid for the 5 months after the application is submitted, unless you also applied for SSI.  

In order to be approved, your condition has to be expected to last at least a year. You have mentioned returning to work. Unfortunately, that will count against you.

You have to be unable to do any kind of work. So if someone was unable to continue a blue collar job, SS figures they could do something easier such as work as a file clerk.

You can't be working at all while your application is pending but after its approved, you can with part time up to the SGA amount, SGA is substantial gainful amount, a limit decided by SS each year. It's currently $1,180. Earn that much or more and you start the process of coming off SSDI. You first get a 9 month trial work period.
If you earn close to the SGA amount, you can trigger a review. They re-examine your case to see if you are still disabled. During the first several years, everyone is subject to possible review anyway.

Thank you, I was looking into this earlier. SSDI can be received retroactive to an 'effective onset date' plus 5 months. The most they will pay is 12 months retroactively, though. SSI OTH will start earliest at application date.

I have hoped to be able to work in the future. I had hoped, TBH, that time would be now. I know I am not able to work now, though. At this point I don't know when I will be able to work in a substantial capacity.

[TheOtherMe]

Hugs finnime

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Finnime, how’s it going?

[finnime]

Still in the mire, with that doomed feeling.

My doctor increased two of my meds and added something to help me sleep - insomnia is part of this, too. Now as long as I'm not unknowingly making hundreds of sandwiches or driving to the beach when I should be sleeping, this will be a good thing.

DH is supportive but he misses me, the not-depressed me. I can't concentrate on anything and am not finding anything amusing, either. He tries joking, but I'm just flat.

Thanks for asking.

[saveinla]

finnime,

I don't know what you are going through, but will going away somewhere with your DH and relax help or will it cause more issues? Anyways hugs.

[finnime]

Jul 11, 2018 13:01:39 GMT -5 saveinla said:

finnime,

I don't know what you are going through, but will going away somewhere with your DH and relax help or will it cause more issues? Anyways hugs.

Thanks.

I wish I could get away. In my right mind, that would be a great idea. Right now I'm having a very hard time leaving the house.

[busymom]

I hope the new sleep meds will be helpful.  Sometimes, just not getting enough sleep can be the "thing" that's the missing piece.  Wishing you the very best!  

[Wisconsin Beth]

I just wanted to offer hugs and luck to you.

[TheOtherMe]

finnime  I totally understand about not being able to leave the house.  It's usually preceded by having trouble getting out of bed.

I hope the change in medication helps you

[finnime]

Thank you all. I'm really touched.

My diagnosis is severe recurrent major depression without psychosis. Sometimes I'm not so sure about the "without psychosis" part, but it is what it is. I've been seeing my doctor for 15 years now. This year is about as bad as I've ever had. It will pass, I think and hope, but it's hard to feel that.

[azucena]

Are you staying away from the news?  Today's world isn't going to lift anyone's spirits.

Try listening to upbeat music.  Mandisa is my go to - she's had at least one bout of depression that she's been very public about.  I can feel that she gets it through her songs.  Casting Crowns is another artist with some powerful songs that really speak to my spirit.  If you don't have access to music like this and it interests you even a little, pm your address and I'll send you my favorites.

Not trying to bother you with suggestions/fixes, but you've been on mind lately and I'm concerned about you.  Please keep posting here so we can listen to you.

[busymom]

I agree with turning off the news.  There's so much chaos right now it's enough to suck the optimism out of anyone, including me.

[Pants]

Finnime - just another vote of support here. I've struggled with depression and anxiety on and off throughout my life, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this. 

No solutions here, I just hope that you can be kind to yourself. Remember that depression doesn't make you less deserving of kindness, humanity and respect. 

[finnime]

Thank you, Pants. I needed that.

azucena and busymom, I hadn't turned off the news. And I'm doing that now, you're right, it only makes everything more hopeless. Music is a good idea but I'm having trouble gathering the energy to play any right now.

[busymom]

Could you have someone help set up a music library on YouTube, with your favorite songs finnime?  Then you just click a button, and your entire song list will play.  I "click the button" when I'm working on projects around the house.  In fact, I have several lists to choose from:  favorite Broadway hits, 70's hits, country music, etc.  

[azucena]

Pandora is another easy way to play music.  It's free if you tolerate the commercials every once in a while.  I'm completely serious about sending you a few cds, all it would take is your address   And I promise I'm not a stalker.  Even just looking fwd to mail could be a bright spot.

You can also try music from a happier time in your life.  Most of us are very responsive to music from our teens for example when life was more carefree and free time was filled with cranking up the tunes with friends.

Glad your DH is supportive.  I'm sure you know that it's awfully hard for him to truly get how crappy depression is if he's never personally dealt with it.

I think I've been in a bit of denial thinking I'm over my own depression.  I'm definitely better (meds are working), but I still lack motivation and I continue to eat crap and stay up late.  I need to focus on getting back on track instead of just coasting because it would be way too easy to slip deeper.  Any interest in being accountability partners?  I desperately need to take a daily walk for my physical health (I've gained about 15 lbs in the last few months) and my mental health.  I could report in to you once a day about if I've walked and you could pick one thing to check in with me about.  That one thing could be absolutely anything...getting out of bed, taking a shower, eating a healthy meal, whatever you're feeling stuck about.

Funny videos might not make you laugh yet but they could lift you a bit.  Not sure if you're a mom, but I love to watch videos on imomsohard.com/ when I've had a particularly bad day.  The two ladies just speak so freely about different aspects of life and often they are dead on for what I've felt.  Usually at least one of their videos can make me laugh a bit.

[finnime]

You'll laugh, but I have no way to play music right now. Oh, that's right, if I can find my Bose that'll play CDs. It's somewhere around here I think. I have a laptop otherwise without a DVD/CD drive. No IPod or anything like that. I can watch Youtube through the Fire I've got set up on the TV downstairs.

I'd like to check in with someone, yes. That could help. This bout is serious. This time of year in Maryland is so relentless - hard to deal with it.

I'll start:

Every day goals for today are:

Keep Dr's appointment
Drink coffee
Walk dog (is my exercise)
Make and eat some kind of dinner that is not pure crap. I find that a lot of food now is just unappealing, once I sit down with it. Just chewing and swallowing but no enjoyment. I do want crap food, though, in prospect. Just not once it is in front of me.

Avoid news
Do dishes
Vacuum, after I find carpet beater head.

I'll add: find Bose.

I did sleep better last night with the help of meds, so that's a good thing.

[saveinla]

If you are posting this from a phone, then download the app - for either Pandora or Spotify - just the free version that comes with ads and if you start listening to some of your favorites, then it will suggest  similar songs and you can easily create a play list.

[azucena]

I understand what you're saying about food during depression.  I've been there forcing myself to eat.  Now, I've swung the other way into random or even emotional eating, part of it might be my meds, to the point where I only have 3 pairs of pants that fit to wear to work.  Yuck.

I did kinda chuckle about not having a way to play music.  Some of the smart TVs have pandora on their menu.  If you have Amazon prime you can make playlists from it on your laptop.  We use chromecast to cast our tablet to our tv for pandora, hulu, etc.  I had no idea youtube music was a thing, so I can't help with that.  Youtube is kinda a dirty word in my house because I don't want DD9 online much yet, and it seems like all of her friends have unfettered access to youtube and several even have their own channels.  SCARY!  We do have Alexa and subscribe to Amazon music for about $3/month.

I was actually in Maryland for the first time last week.  Baltimore for a conference.  I was surprised by how hot it was.  I was also weirded out by the Inner Harbor area which was nicely touristy but had several small malls that were only half full of stores and lots of restaurants that seemed only half staffed with terrible service.  I guess I expected the NE to be go, go, go.  Had a great trip though.  Wish I had known if you were nearby LOL.

Hopefully you find the sleep meds reset you after a week or couple of weeks and then maybe you won't need them.  Even if you do, whatever LOL.

I'm proud of you for posting multiple goals.  All of them sound great.

My own goals:
- walk for 20 mins; look into walking app more because I think having tracked numbers would motivate me
- eat better (on track with breakfast so far)
- in bed, lights out by 9:30 (I'm up at 5, at work by 6, and function best on 7-8 hours)

[finnime]

Jul 12, 2018 8:12:24 GMT -5 saveinla said:

If you are posting this from a phone, then download the app - for either Pandora or Spotify - just the free version that comes with ads and if you start listening to some of your favorites, then it will suggest  similar songs and you can easily create a play list.

I'm SO 20th century. I didn't know these were apps! Going to try later.

[finnime]

Jul 12, 2018 8:19:25 GMT -5 azucena said:

I was actually in Maryland for the first time last week.  Baltimore for a conference.  I was surprised by how hot it was.  I was also weirded out by the Inner Harbor area which was nicely touristy but had several small malls that were only half full of stores and lots of restaurants that seemed only half staffed with terrible service.  I guess I expected the NE to be go, go, go.  Had a great trip though.  Wish I had known if you were nearby LOL.

Hopefully you find the sleep meds reset you after a week or couple of weeks and then maybe you won't need them.  Even if you do, whatever LOL.

I'm proud of you for posting multiple goals.  All of them sound great.

My own goals:
- walk for 20 mins; look into walking app more because I think having tracked numbers would motivate me
- eat better (on track with breakfast so far)
- in bed, lights out by 9:30 (I'm up at 5, at work by 6, and function best on 7-8 hours)

I'm in the DC metro area of Maryland which thinks of Baltimore as sleepy, among other things. Wish I'd known you were near, too.

Your goals are strong and positive. Hope your day is good.

[Waffle]

Jul 12, 2018 6:41:44 GMT -5 azucena said:

. . .  I'm definitely better (meds are working), but I still lack motivation and I continue to eat crap and stay up late. . . 

What is it about depression and staying up late?  I was up at 3:00 a.m. last night (this morning) watching youtube videos.   It's so STUPID!

(I'm not technically depressed - my issues are grief related).

azucena and finnime  I sincerely hope you both get much better real soon.