what could i do, how does one survive when dealing with the system?

Question

i've 2 diseases that render me to work and live a comfortable living-my doctor deemed me disabled & now i'm going htrough the system 4 ssi & ssdi-in the interim i've exhausted all outside help and/or assistance-it's been 3 monthe and all my $$ is depleted-i'm allowed i bag of canned items once a month-i'm beside myself, i need meds, food, gas, pay my car phone ect. how does one aquire money while waiting for the system to determine if you are disabled or not-i've started stealing fresh food from stores-i lost so much weight these ast few months. i don't know what to do and i'm very prone to suicidal thoughts. i'm hurting and scared-i hav no family support or friends-please someone out there tell me the right way for help while i wait for ssi

Answer 1

Navigating the system is extemely frustrating. It took me 6 years to get approved for SSI/SSDI, thanks to a lot of incompence on the part of different agencies. (I was clearly disabled and when I finally got a chance to speak to the judge myself, he immediately approved me.) My only option was to go on public assistant (yes, welfare and yes, it really sucks) while I waited. Now, 6 years is an excessively long time and most people do not wait that long...but it is highly unusual for the process to take less than 18 months and not unusual for it to take years. I'm not saying this to discourage you, just make sure you have realistic expectations. Stick with it though, don't give up. Almost everyone is denied the first time and has to appeal the decision...I've even heard of blind people being denied....can you imagine!?
Go to your local department of social services. Apply for everything you can. If you own a house, that complicates things. But if you are eligible, you can get cash assistance, medicaid and food stamps, which make a very big difference.
This is the hard part, the waiting and getting through. It can be done though. It's very depressing. I had an extremely hard time during those years. But I've learned a lot about how to navigate the systems and where to go for help.
You may have local disability advocates, who can help you with the whole SSI/SSDI process as well as lead you towards other places that can help. There generally are several food pantries in any given area. Social services might be able to give you a list of them.

Answer 2

You're on the right track since you are asking for help.

800–772–1213

Good Luck.