Social Security Disability Insurance
I got it, but I can't live on it
Listen to me read this post so you can be hands-free. It’s my first time making a recording, and if I sound incredibly stupid, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In 2006, I was struggling to fill out a worksheet on self-care at the community mental health center. It asked what things you could do to feel good if you felt down, and I couldn’t think of anything. My case manager, RJ, tapped me on the shoulder and when I looked up, he said, “Come to my office.” I left behind the paper and pen and followed him.
My husband, Brian, had just lost his job, which meant we lost our insurance because we couldn’t afford COBRA, which allows an employee to continue on their current health plan for a fee. My therapist continued to see me at a discounted rate and my psychiatrist gave me medication samples so I didn’t have to go without.
It’d been three years since I was fired from my teaching job, and I was unemployable. My depressive episodes lasted for months at a time and I’d been treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT—which I wrote about here) that worked for just a little while. I could barely do simple things like getting dressed. At times it was so bad, that Brian had to dress me. I’d had several psychiatric hospitalizations, as well.
I’d been in an outpatient psychiatric program and had to discontinue when we lost our insurance, which was why I began going to the community mental health center. In his office, RJ told me he thought I’d qualify for disability. I didn’t know what he meant.
He explained to me that because of my mental health condition, he thought I’d be eligible for government benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or “disability,” which provides a monthly income and Medicare insurance. That hadn’t occurred to me to do, but when he brought it up, I figured there’d be a lot of paperwork. If the worksheet was giving me trouble, there was no way I could pursue this. I could barely dress myself, after all.
As part of his job, RJ told me that he’d help me apply. He filled out all the paperwork, gathered all the necessary documentation, and sent it in. A few months later, he accompanied me to my interview. After a total of six months, I was approved, which is unusual.
For a mental health condition, a lot of people aren’t approved right away and have to apply several times. It could take up to a year to get a response. Some people hire a disability lawyer, which increases the odds of winning their case. I was lucky to have a true advocate in RJ.
Because it’d been three years since I’d been able to work, I received a sizable amount of backpay going back to 2003. Every month I receive a check for about $800. They take taxes from what I should be getting because of Brian’s income. Even if I received the $1200 or whatever it’d be if not for tax, I wouldn’t be able to live by myself, especially in Chicago. Monthly rents are upwards of $1,200 for a one-bedroom and studio apartments are about $1,000. There wouldn’t be enough left for food and utilities. I wouldn’t be able to make it on my own.
The money helps, especially because I’m still paying off my student loans, but no way could I live on my disability check by myself. Despite my struggles, I’m thankful every day for having food, shelter, safety, and a supportive spouse.