Author Topic: I have to do it...How do I do it?  (Read 4409 times)

startsomewhere

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I have to do it...How do I do it?
« on: September 30, 2014, 11:36:32 AM »
First, thank you for this forum! I love the concept and at the moment feel like its the best shot I have.

The nitty gritty..
Im a 30 year old single mom of 1 on SSI. I just dropped out of college for the 4th (last?) time. I had all A's. However, my panic and anxiety make school impossible. Im heartbroken to know I won't ever finish, but my emotional status won't allow it. SO, Im putting on my big girl pants and dealing with it.

How do I make this work? I want my own place again (to rent). I want to take my son on vacation. I want to not worry about how I will be able to afford clothes. I want to have/make healthy foods and not be stuck eating raman/sodium and HFCS filled foods.

 I've crunched the numbers over and over. With the amount I'm receiving through SSI without taxes being taken, full medical benefits (which I need for therapy) etc I am "making" more than I would if I were to find a $13 hr job..Im thinking it's probably equivalent to $20 per hr.

Im not really sure where to start and Im guessing some people will look at this and get mad that I'm using SSI. I assure you with the amount of shame I feel over this I would LOVE to be off of it and Im hoping I will be able to find some way to get off of it and survive. BUT I cant do that immediately. I DO have to start somewhere.

I'm currently renting a basement and sharing a room with my son with shared kitchen. I have a decent car that's paid in full, but they never last forever. I am on a shared phone plan that is a contract for $60.00 per month. I have minimal car insurance coverage. After all bills (rent, insurance, gas, phone, allowance, rec center fee, car account for repairs, toiletries, and food) I have 200 a month. Im sure that sounds awesome, but that's not enough for an apartment. I feel like I will always be stuck at zero.

Do you have any suggestions? I will say this...to complicate matters....For every dollar I earn I lose .50 of my SSI until my SSI hits zero. I will lose my insurance (Medicaid) once my monthly earnings reach $1000. Not having insurance is not an option. I have to keep it for my medical needs as well as my son's.

As I'm typing this I wonder if there are other SSI recipients out there using this website and forum. What have you done? I will take suggestions for any one. I want to make it somewhere. I want to have a good life that's enjoyable and not filled with worry and panic over how bills will be paid.

Louis the Cat

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2014, 12:41:08 PM »
I would hope no one on this forum would get on anyone's case for using a government program that they need. You have a diagnosed medical condition and a child: you need the SSI, I think that's pretty simple.

Without specifics, it's hard to give you advice on your budget, although you can absolutely get that cell phone bill down by half or more with Ting, Republic or a pay as you go plan. You also list a rec center fee and allowance, presumably for your son. Is the rec center necessary for your condition? If not, it needs to go until you're on a better track financially. For exercise run, walk, bike, go to the local high school and run the bleachers, do all of these things on your way to the places you normally go in the car. Maybe even sell the car and get a bike and bus pass. The allowance: how old is your son, how much is the allowance? If we're talking a quarter a week for a 4 year old, that can stay. If it's more, you two may need to have a frank conversation about your financial situation and figure out a compromise. Say, if the allowance is $10 per week, he can keep it but he is responsible for buying half his own clothes.

My other big question would be, is your condition that makes it impossible for you to finish school as well managed and under control as possible? If not, what would it take to get it under control and maybe try school again. Hopefully in each of your 4 tries, you've been collecting at least a few college credits. Are you close to a Bachelor's degree? An Associate's degree? Maybe with better control of your condition you could finish some kind of degree or certification, bringing up your earning potential. I am fortunate enough to have no experience with SSI so I can't speak to how to dovetail from SSI to gainful employment but it seems like it should be possible with careful planning.

rubybeth

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2014, 01:05:27 PM »
I feel for you, as I know others in similar situations. Welcome to MMM! :)

I'm not sure if every state has this, but you might be a good candidate for vocational rehabilitation counseling. I'm in Minnesota and my father was a voc rehab counselor and got a lot of people on track toward good jobs with some accommodations. Google "vocational rehabilitation + your state name" to see if there's an office or a phone number you could call.

I know that my dad also sometimes helped get reasonable accommodations for people to continue their education. Have you ever documented your disability or medical issues with your school? The public university that I attended and that my DH now attends for graduate school has to provide reasonable accommodations for people with documented medical issues, everything from notetakers to being given more time to take tests, depending on the issues. I wouldn't give up on school entirely just yet without investigating this.

Definitely check out the posts on MMM on jobs that pay $50k year w/o a degree (some of these still require some kind of training/school/experience):

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/07/25/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-1/
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/08/05/50-jobs-over-50000-without-a-degree-part-2/

I'd also look into other medical coverage options in your state since the Affordable Care Act began. Could you qualify for a subsidy for coverage if you lose you medical coverage but still can't afford it? You might be able to talk to someone at your state's exchange or check out the national exchange: https://www.healthcare.gov/

Two other thoughts: what sort of benefit might your child qualify for, even if you earn more (depending on the age of the child, Head Start, free or reduced breakfast/lunch at school, etc.)? And, are you getting child support?
« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 01:20:37 PM by rubybeth »

Kansas Beachbum

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2014, 02:10:25 PM »
To build on what others have said, nobody will bash you for using assistance programs you truly need, at least nobody with a conscience.  That's what those programs are for...people who need them.  Secondly, you mention panic/anxiety.  Cognitive therapy can be very effective in controlling this condition, which it sounds like you are getting...that's a good thing.  Has your therapist ever considered putting you on xanax?  It has been shown for decades to be very effective, along with thereapy, in getting a person's anxiety under control.  I'm generally not a big fan of "just taking a pill" as there are a lot of people who are prone to abuse them, but as xanax is very effective and has minimal to no side effects (other than being somewhat addictive) it might be something to talk with your therapist about.  Financially, it is harder to budget when you have very limited funds available.  It sounds like you are thinking in the correct vein...putting money away for future car repairs, etc., and the right mind set is half the battle.  Is it possible for you to put a little of the $200 excess aside to go towards the higher rent a nicer apartment would take?  What about a roommate for that nicer apartment?  I think it's worth looking for at least part time work to supplement your SSI payments, understanding there is a trade off in benefits, and you do have to be very careful not to earn so much that you lose your insurance, but even a few more dollars a month would help.  Are there things you can do for cash so that it wouldn't be taxed, or count against your benefits, ie - babysit (although if I had ancxiety babysitting would make it worse for me!), mowing yards, walking people's dogs, etc?

Best of luck to you, and keep us updated on your progress.  You can do this!   

giggles

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2014, 02:13:24 PM »


Set up an appointment to talk with a rep about PASS, and to pick up the form you need.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm

Before your appointment, come up with some real, attainable goals in how you could us the programs.

You also get $85/mo of income excluded on SSI if you work and have no other income, not much but something. 

"Other incentives let you continue to receive Medicaid coverage even though you are not receiving SSI cash benefits."  Not sure if that is the $1000/mo limit you spoke of.  This limit varies by state, I know in my state it is over $1000.  Working could get you insured for regular SS disability benefits, which has arguably better rules than SSI.

This link has the state work thresholds for keeping your Medicaid.  All of them are MUCH for than $1000/mo.  Working at these levels, even half the year, you have a great shot of keeping your Medicaid, getting insured for Disability, and getting on a real path to back on your feet.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/ssi-only-employment-supports.htm?__utma=176294311.1562882395.1387248302.1410528652.1412107814.10&__utmb=176294311.3.9.1412108406599&__utmc=176294311&__utmx=-&__utmz=176294311.1412107814.10.7.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=177498725#a0=8

If you work for less than 12 months, you SSI will restart without having to reapply for benefit. 

Also check out the ticket to work program for help finding/keeping a job or getting retrained.  All free and provided by SSA. 

My beef with SSI is it is designed horribly, in a way that keeps people poor.  Get off SSI, get on disability, and you will have a real chance at success without either of the programs.   Even just by getting off SSI and onto DIB you have a much better shot than trying to transition off SSI alone.thr DIB rules don't have the draconian income and resource limits that SSI has, setting you up for a better chance for success.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 02:28:22 PM by giggles »

cavewoman

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2014, 02:40:02 PM »
Have you looked into Section 8 housing in your area?  Find your local housing authority and see if their section 8 waiting list is open.  Definitely mention that you have SSI - for example the housing authority I work for has a specific (shorter) waiting list for persons with disabilities.  Ask about a homeownership program (we have one, I know you mentioned renting, but I have some people on my caseload on SSI and we pay most of their mortgage).

For someone like yourself (with the little information we have) Section 8 can be a great option.  The voucher will stay with you as long as you qualify and meet the requirements.  Some Housing Authorities also have help for job placement and going back to school.

I'd almost always suggest asking to talk to a manager after you've spoken to a caseworker.  I've only been here 6 months and I'm not an expert on all of the options for programs that are out there.

Also, if you start making income from a job while on SSI, we also exclude parts of that income from your rent determination for a couple of years (making it easier for you to save money without your rent price going up).  If you have more specific questions about section 8, then feel free to PM me.

justajane

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2014, 06:18:28 AM »
My only thought with losing some of your SSI money while you work is that there are intangibles associated with working, if you are physically and emotionally able to handle it. You might "lose" some money while working, but long-term a job can help you hone your skills and eventually land a job that would pay more for you than what you currently receive.

Of course in this case you should choose employment wisely and with a long term trajectory to try to earn more. What type of employment have you explored? Do you have a long-term plan for a future career? What do you enjoy doing? Is there work that leaves you feeling mentally energized rather than drained? These would be the important questions for me if I were in your shoes. I agree that it makes no sense to choose work that is either excessively physically draining but with little chance of significant increases.

I was struck by your sense of shame over being on SSI. I don't think you should feel shame, but since you do, going off of it eventually could do wonders for your mental health, if it can be physically managed. I am a mostly SAHM that relies on my husband for financial support. This is, of course, much different from your scenario, but when I am able to swing freelance work, it does do wonderful things for my self-esteem and sense of worth.

Thegoblinchief

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Re: I have to do it...How do I do it?
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2014, 06:47:38 AM »
Not sure what physical limitation your disability presents, but if you can handle some lifting, I have heard excellent things about working at Costco or Aldi's/Trader Joe's. Outside of commission based jobs, they are probably the highest paid entry level unskilled jobs out there.

Restaurants, with the right fit, can also be very lucrative but I'm not sure I'd recommend it for someone with severe anxiety.