How Do I Go About Applying for SSI?

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"'The time has come', the Walrus said."

My mother has been becoming increasingly irritated at me because of my living expenses lately.
I don't buy anything but gas and stuff for school, but I'm in treatment for an eating disorder, and though she's supportive,
me going from eating rarely if ever to almost every day, combined with the fact that I eat healthfully, as opposed to cheap processed garbage, is straining our relationship because of the money...

she wants me to apply for disability, now that she's come to a place where she accepts my diagnosis.
My current therapist recently validated (IE, agrees that I have) it- I'm assuming I'd have to have her sign off on something?

I had one job in retail for a few months a couple years ago, which ended with me quitting before I could be fired for always having a cash drawer that was off, not being able to look people in the face or tell people apart from others of their race, and randomly bursting into tears on the sales floor from being overwhelmed.

I have no degree and no marketable skills, and can't imagine any entry-level positions other than retail or some service industry where I'd be forced to attempt to interact with the general public. My in-environment shortcomings aside, my executive dysfunction is such that I couldn't deal with having any sort of job now, while trying to go to school (only 12 hours) and deal with the eating stuff.

I'm clueless as to how to start the process, and was hoping someone could give me some general information.

Thanks for any and all help.


TL;DR
Help me get teh moneyz so my mom won't kill me, yo.

Mods, apologies if this is the wrong section...

Last edited by ValentineWiggin on 04 Apr 2012, 10:48 am, edited 2 times in total.

Very carefully, it's probably best to get a lawyer. Also, make sure your doctor/s are told and will be cooperative.

Could you elaborate?

Why the need for the lawyer?

And do you mean my general practitioner?

Remember you must be totally disabled. That means if you can put eggs in a box, or deliver advertising flyers, etc., you may not be able to be considered. One area where aspies can qualify is the "does not play well with others arena." But to pursue that you must have doctor/s cooperation.

Right...which doctor?
My doctors don't know of my Autism because it isn't relevant to the physiological things they treat me for.

On the social security administration site you first fill out an adult disability report, then call up the local social security office and make an appointment with them in order to put the application in. That meeting they'll want proof of your income (or lack their of), some about living expenses, and theoretically medical information...

I don't know beyond that.

The whole lawyer part I want to know about too, for when I apply soon.

If the main problem is food costs, what about just getting food stamps, for now, at least? The SSI process is going to take a long time, anyways. I recently applied, and the information they gave me says it usually takes 3-5 months.

I think to qualify you have to actively be seeking employment.
I tried to apply a few years ago.

From my state's website:
"Anyone in a household who is 16 to 60 years old and can work must register for, look for and accept work. There are some exceptions to this requirement."

So I have to get the disability thing first, I would assume...

Last edited by ValentineWiggin on 04 Apr 2012, 1:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I filled out an ssi application a while ago but then they mailed me a letter wanting me to call them and I just couldn't do it, plus my not being diagnosed with anything made it feel hopeless so I gave up at that point. It might be a good way to get started on the process though.

You can't really do anything until you put in the form first.

You can do it online, here:
http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/

One thing to remember is to be really honest. Those of us with ASDs are usually very used to pretending to be NT. Sometimes we think of ourselves as lazy--like if we only worked harder we would be doing this, that, and the other. You should be answering those questions based on what you actually do, in your daily life, as opposed to what you could theoretically do if you had boundless energy and your environment were perfect.

Lawyers are useful, but I did the application without one. You'll be rejected for the SSDI because you haven't worked enough; after that you get into SSI and the question is whether you can work.

The eating disorder may be a "benefit" to you here because you've been in treatment for it and that's lots of documentation. If you've ever been in-patient, that could be another thing in your favor.

"What date did I become unable to work?"



My sixteenth birthday?
That's when I would otherwise have been eligible...

If it's life-long, put your birthdate.

Duh. Thank you.

Interesting.

TheSunAlsoRises

It won't hurt to ask. I'm pretty sure that you can at least receive food stamps while you are either looking for work OR in the process for applying for SSI, at least temporarily. You might be able to show that you cannot work just by showing some documentation for whatever specialists/treatments/diagnoses you have. I applied after I got kicked out of the military for being put on anti-depressants, and the interviewer was going to classify me as not able to work just based on a paper I showed him that said I was being discharged, without calling/verifying with anyone.

Thanks for everyone's help and support.
I completed the application, and had to leave a cell phone number with the best hours to contact me.
Therapy appointment is tomorrow, and I'm nervous about asking her for documentation-
she's remarked before about how intelligent I seem, and when my mom came in as my guest and talked about her concerns for my being able to be independent, my therapist seemed way more optimistic than I feel about my employability...

if I can get documentation from her, I intend to go by the local SS office Friday- I'll ask about food stamps then.