Work or SSDI? How to decide??

[Guest guest]

(Repeat on AdultLPs list)

Okay, many of you know that I work for a Non-Profit disability

organization. Because of where I work, I know what resources are

available and have inside information on various things to help

people with disabilities to be as independent as possible.

I'm getting to the point where my arthritis pain is taking over my

whole life. I'm missing work, I can't start in on my Pilates even

though it helped before, I can't get my chores done around my home

and I'm breaking down.

I'm 27 and I know how much I would get if I applied for SSDI and not

work. I don't want to get onto disability because of how long it will

take and I can't see how I can afford to live on it. For specific

reasons, I won't quailify for subsidized housing. Also it would take

2 years before I would be covered by Medicare because I'm under age

62 (or is it 65?).

When does a person know that they have to stop working? I am scared

to death of being unemployed. I'm not sure what to do. My medical and

physical condition is taking over my life now.

Even if I'm on disability or not, I still can't afford to take care

of my health. At work they have changed the health care benefits so

now I can't afford my health care even though I have health insurance!

I guess I'm mostly venting. Any of you who are unemployed and on

disability benefits, when did you know you needed to go this route?

~ a