This is very difficult to admit, but I'm facing homelessness, and I need your help.

[SheilaT]

176. Thank you for explaining this.

A lot of people do not understand this at all, and think just because they have some chronic disease they can get SSDI whenever they decide they're tired of working. The being unable to work for a period of time with no reasonable possibility of returning to work ever is crucial.

I happen to have an acquaintance who told me recently she's applying for SSDI and has hired an attorney to do so, and I told her that she does not meet the criteria -- she can work, she has no significant impairment, she was let go from her last job for cause, the details of which are unimportant. I think she is also somewhat under the impression that the Disability would ultimately be a supplement to Social Security some years down the road, and is in for a serious shock about how little she will really get and what it will lock her into. If I knew her social security number I'd be highly tempted to write a letter to SSA, but I sincerely doubt she'll get approved in the first place. She certainly should not be.

I have another acquaintance who has Rheumatoid Arthritis, and she frequently says she should just go on disability. I keep on telling her it's not going to happen, because she is able to keep her job, and she's earning considerably more than whatever her disability amount would be. I'm not sure she ever completely believes me.

And one other bit of trivia for all those interested in this topic: If you go blind you will pretty much get approved on the first go around. I know, because my brother went legally blind at the age of 49 and his disability claim was approved very quickly. And in his case there was not the normal two year delay before he could be on Medicare, which is the normal situation for all who get SSDI and are under 65. Just be aware. Essentially, you need to be able to survive a couple of years on your own before things will get somewhat better.