Disability

[Lauren M]

I receive a small sum (less than $1000 a month) from Social Security. Not for MD, they still haven't got the memo on what it is, but I receive social security for being mentally "ill". I want to encourage anyone who thought of applying, but changed their mind. I was awarded benefits long before I even knew MD by name. The Social Security Administration based their decision on how likely I was able to hold a job.  When being evaluated I just told them the truth. I'm a million different people from one day to the next, and I know that none of them are me. It's a hobby. 3 months later I received the award letter. So, it's not impossible and it's probably necessary for most of us who cannot sustain employment. Best of all, you can work on and off while receiving SSDI benefits (not SSI) without losing benefits. So, give it a shot and feel better financially. It's bad enough having a wild mind no one knows about, it's even worse adding "broke" to it.

[Cordellia Amethyste Rose]

I, too, am on Disability for other conditions than MD.  However, I fear what will happen when SSDI runs out of funds in 2016.  It took me 18 months to get it, so beware that it can take a long time, and I didn't even go to trial.