Advice on Pursuing Disability Benefits for Chronic Pain at a Young Age

Any advice for someone young (24) that is able to work part time but not full time considering pursuing disability in the US? It seems pretty well not worth it since you can't work part time and get benefits (as far as I understand) but as my chronic pain gets worse I'm worried I'll be able to work fewer and fewer hours... I also heard there's 2 different types of disability and maybe you can work part time with one, but I don't know if I'd get anything since I'm so young? it's so confusing, any advice would help.

Your answer

HenriettaHeadache

2y ago

I'm on social security disability and I work part time. They just put a limit on how much you're allowed to make.

Reddest

2y ago

ah, I think I wouldn't get much from SSD because I'm only 24 and haven't worked much

mysterygirl

2y ago

Once you are approved for disability, you can work but there are earning caps. The programs are designed to get you back to work so they're pretty helpful

Reddest

2y ago

thank you so much for your comments. Sounds about like what I found via research and from my mom who I think is on SSDI? The one where it's better if you've worked a longer time. For the longest time I thought both types of disability benefits were the same so that's where all my confusion came from I think. I've been working since I was 16 but I doubt I'd get anything from SSDI... I might be approved but I don't think I've earned enough to get much. (I have 1-3 physical chronic conditions (diagnoses pending, I have 1 dx but that will either change or I will have additional dx come November) and 5 dxed mental conditions that, compounding, make me intermittently disabled and make holding a full time traditional job impossible.) And I think I'd also be able to get the other type of disability but I think that's the one with asset caps? Like you can't possess more than 2k in assets? And getting married can screw your benefits? Which. Doesn't work for me. So I guess for now my best bet is to keep doing my best to balance not starving or working myself to death with my crappy paying part time job, while seeking a remote and make your own schedule job. Because that's the only way I can work full time. :/

mysterygirl

2y ago

I'm not sure, because it would depend on how long you've worked & how much money you earned. You also cannot work, on the books, from the day b4 you file until your determination. At age 24, unless you are a paraplegic, in a wheel chair, have a severe head Injury and need help with your ADL's ( activities of daily living- eating, bathing, getting dressed) & docs have told you that you can't work, I think you'll need a lawyer. It is a long process and you do get the back money, but you'll either have to have parents or S/O support you or work under the table. Generally, you heed a physical & mental issue and many are turned down the dirstvtine. It took me over 3 yrs and getting a lawyer to get mine. If you haven't earned enough" quarters" for SSDI( that's off your earnings) you could SSI but it's like 7-$800 a month, if that. It's a fixed amt and you do get cost of living increases but they are minimal & many yrs nothing. As far as help at home, there is some available, but I'm sorry that I don't know much about it, as I was a nurse and only did health visits. Things may have changed since 2012 and maybe it's better now. Hopefully, someone will have more current info. Good luck.

mtngoat

2y ago

the SSI standard in 2022 is $841 per month. I agree, a lawyer is a good idea. You will probably be denied and have to appeal/get a lawyer. The process can take years.

Reddest

2y ago

Alternatively, are there any programs in the US that provide stipends to family members that basically act as full time carers? I know the UK has programs like that but I've been unable to find an equivalent here. Ohio if it helps.

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