Need to talk about trying for SSI and... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Need to talk about trying for SSI and looking into the past is giving me anxiety

Starrlight profile image
23 Replies

So I’ve applied many times for Social Security Income before , always denied. I never fully understood why I was denied -something I think to do with dates of when I stopped working or when I was hospitalized and when I applied I actually don’t know. Maybe because I continually tried working for small stretches of times after my major breakdown. Maybe there was no good reason to be denied at all. Yeah that one.

I am going through the process again and will be looking through old papers trying to make sense of it all. My memory for sequence of events is bad so good thing I think I kept all the papers.

So in the past this kind of thing had given me so much anxiety and I feel it now. I don’t want to go back to that place of panic and fear. I’m a stronger person now. But still I fear they will find a reason to take my insurance my family has now away but I guess there’s no reason behind that fear.

I guess I’ll just keep reminding myself that I could get SSI or not and what is meant to be is going to be.

I think the huge part of my anxiety over this situation is that I’ll be looking back on the past traumas and breakdowns and hospitalizations recorded in these papers. But I’ll try to keep in mind that I am strong now and I will go at my own pace.

Thanks for listening. Any suggestions on how to handle all the upsetting memories floating back please share.

Thanks friends!

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Starrlight
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23 Replies

Hi Starrlight, you never appealed the outcome of previous filings?

Where I live it’s extremely difficult to prove disability, it’s only 4 in 10 that get approved. Have you considered getting legal representative to help you?

Maybe getting a legal representative could help your anxiety? If you have to relive past events, maybe try to remember how far you’ve come since those events. Wishing the best outcome for you. 💜🌺

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply to

I had appealed with a legal rep to help and got denied again and at one point gave up but now trying again. Thank you!!!

in reply toStarrlight

I wish you luck with the process again. Maybe with Covid, etc the process won’t be as difficult and you’ll get approved this time. Fingers crossed.

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply to

Thank you so much!

c-mac profile image
c-mac

I entered a study of bipolar patients, and, at the beginning, I had to go over my whole history as a bipolar patient. It made me realize more fully than I ever have how I've been victimized by this disability, that life is harder than my rosy optimism will allow. In fact, just writing this makes me despair. I try to dwell on the present, to solve the problems of today, to keep a set of tools for dealing with stress and mood, and to forget my history of mistakes and misfortune. But, when I unearthed the past, I ended up on a years long cycle of mood swings. So if I could give advice it would be to do this exercise with a therapist who knows the risks.

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toc-mac

Wow thank you so much. I’ll definitely talk to my therapist about this and just do the best I can not to stress too hard.

HI Starrlight just keep in mind you are simply looking for support that is available during this pandemic and don't get emotionally derailed

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply tolillyofthevalley37

Great advice. Yeah true. Thsnks

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14

Star

Is itSSI or SSDI?

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toDolphin14

Oooohhhhh I got confused there. I got a letter asking about if I wanted to try for SSI I but they are trying to figure out if I’m disabled. Wha? What’s the difference?

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14 in reply toStarrlight

Ok so ssdi is for disability

Ssi is for low income

SSI looks at your assets

Ssdi disability

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toDolphin14

Ooooooh low income, they asking me about my medical history like hospitalizations etc and meds I take? My husband thinks we make too much but I’ll just go forward with it and see... I hope my doc backs me up especially since I’ve been doing better lately, I’ll have to talk to him about this.

Dolphin14 profile image
Dolphin14 in reply toStarrlight

From what I understand if you don't have medical back up for your disability you are offered the opportunity to get SSIBut they will look at what you have to see if you can live off of that.

Example

I had a friend who had back problems out on ssdi for one year. At the end of the year the medical documents no longer backed her up for ssdi

So she was offered to apply for SSI as an income supplement. She did not qualify because she had assets she could sell and a property she could rent.

I could be wrong so give it a google. They are def two different things

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toDolphin14

Thanks! I will do that!

needhelp2z profile image
needhelp2z

Thank you for being so kind and reaching out to me when I posted. I hope to do the same for you. I applied for SSDI and it has been ongoing since October. I don't have as much past history and I"m figuring, given the current events I might not qualify. Have you considered finding a SSDI advocate group that will apply on your behalf?

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toneedhelp2z

Hi! I’ve already worked with advocates so now I’m working with a case manager. I work fine by myself actually. Just to have my therapist to talk to and my psychiatrist hopefully back me up you know, whatever I mean I’ll try but what is for me will be what’s not won’t so I’m trying not to s worry. Thanks. Best to you Needhelp2z

JW621 profile image
JW621

Take it one day at a time. We all know looking back creates anxiety. Please be careful. It creates that depression also. Live for the money for now. Get out of that darkness of looking back. Have gratitude for now. I’m sorry your going through these hard times. I thank you for sharing

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toJW621

Thanks your concern means a lot. You’re right, I’m going to do my best to live in the now. I think I’ll meditate since I haven’t done any yet today. Best to you!

JW621 profile image
JW621 in reply toStarrlight

Get up and stretch. Breathe for 10 slow seconds. Deep breathes. Pull on your ear lope

JW621 profile image
JW621 in reply toStarrlight

When I have anxiety I lay on my couch without my phone and use a weighted blanket. Calms me

Hi Starlight. Listen, I receive SSD and SSI. It was not easy for me to get these benefits, and I don't get very much per month. I also receive food assistance. From my perspective, if you can work you are really better off working. I'm 50 now and I am tired of all the government paperwork. Do not think I am lucky in any way here. I honestly really want to get totally off of it and work a full time job.

needhelp2z profile image
needhelp2z

Bless you

Starrlight profile image
Starrlight in reply toneedhelp2z

❤️ you too

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