How do I deal with being disabled
I am finally getting to the point where I might be able to get my disability check after waiting 8 months. After I heard the most I will make is $600 a month how is this going to afford rent or bills. I feel like I am being forced into poverty with little amount of money to support me or my family. My main point is how do I cope with this eventually I'll end up without a home or a car I've contacted all the support groups in my area and no one was going to offer me more money per month there is a housing option but it takes years to get into and they are located around bad neighborhoods. This is just very frustrating to have to deal with and I just needed to vent on this issue hopefully I can figure something out soon
@wowtdm. I know someone who receives a small check from social security. She was able to find someone to rent a room from them. Would something like this be a possibility for you.
@adventurousBranch3786 I am currently living with family and thankfully they are helping me out for some time I was stressing about my future when I'm on my own. Even with a room mate to help pay for rent I would at least have to spend $200-$300 to help them with rent and that will only leave me with a very small amount of money afterwards definitely not enough to afford a car and just barely enough for food and other bills such as dental insurance and so on. I even have a case manager that helps me along with other mental health needs such as providing a therapist which has helped a little bit but even they do not have answers for this type of situation and agreed with me about how frustrating this can be. Thank you for your reply though
I make $1147 a month on SsdI and support my autistic adult sister fully as she hasn’t been working for an entire year. Don’t give up hope hun! There’s SOOO many options out there for us!
1) My absolutel biggest advice is “don’t be afraid to ask, squeaky wheel gets the grease” people will never know you’re in great need of you don’t reach out to resources and tell them a short few sentences story about how/why you’re struggling. I’ve gotten SO many costly things given to me at significant discounts if not, for free, just by simply “putting myself and my story out there”
The truth is, people want to help, and it feels good to them. I don’t like to ever turn down help that I need because that’s a disservice to that person who offered, as this missed out on a “feel-good moment”. And obviously it’s a disservice to myself, by not getting the help I need.
2) Use your local 211 website. This website only has various legitimate different organizations that can help with any need from finding clothing, bras, food, craft supplies, make up, furniture, household items, pet’s vet care and maintenance medications, pet food, car repairs, car purchasing, credit repair help, bus tokens, rental assistance, law advice, tenant rights, and gosh so so much more!
3) when you’re approved for disability, be sure to utilize your county’s “Aging and Disability Resource Center” this is a cornerstone resource in your back pocket. Check their website out regularly and try to be there often enough that you know the front desk lady’s first name.. because they’ll truly be in your corner if there’s ever surgeries, you’re in need of having hot meal’s delivered, transportation assistance, caregiver supplies, mobility management, and other local resources available to you.
4) Section 8 saved my a$$. I only pay $168 a month for a 2BDRM. I wouldn’t have gotten accepted if I had not moved to a county with open enrollment instead of a waitlist. And I realize, that’s really the way to do it. Just find yourself “homeless” or staying with friends or someone safe in a county where the HUD will allow you a sec 8 voucher.
5) I am constantly looking up ways to save money and financial assistance programs or donation programs or local recycling forums and free items! For example, my state has a rental assistance program that I watched line a HAWK for its change in status stating it would now allow limited applications. Over 6k applications in 3 weeks. For the majority, of applicants, there was no more funding. But I was lucky to get 3 months of rent paid, $500 toward gas bill, $500 toward electric bill and they even paid off my past due balance with my internet company. This was SUCH a huge help and for 3 months I could actually breathe and get things for my home and self. (See #2 for a good place to start)
6) If there’s something I like but need to the price to come down on *** Marketplace, I try to weave in a little of my story as we talk about the item and I ask questions. And I’ll always ask, very up front, could you come down on the price? $__ would be more affordable to me. And a rule of neogation, if you’re buying, your first offer to them should be LOWER than what you’re willing or can pay for the item. You’d be surprised by how many just say yes to what I feel are low-ball offers. And some come back with another number which sometimes within my means and sometimes not. And. Additionally I recommend typing your city’s name in the FB search bar and see what groups come up like buy sell groups, recycle groups, I even found a chronic illness support group in my tiny town of 5,000! We’re there to help each other if we need a script picked up or a small errand. Etc.
I really hope these tips help SOMEONE, as it took me a long time to write and think about my first year, on “my own” with my sister, while on disability. It was scary and new but I was so determined. My household saying since we were homeless in 2022 is “everything is figureoutable” and everything always has been. 💕
Im here if OP or anyone has more questions! 👂
@willingtravler Great advice! I especially like number 1, as I'm someone who has a very hard time asking for help. I used to give it all the time but asking? Still working on that.
@wowtdm first of all, I'm proud of you for taking it day by day secondly, I understand the struggle because I've been in your shame for a while and I would say the best way I deal with. It is understand that some days are going to be better than others.