Get a Fresh Start with SSI

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Joshua Eyestone

Not everyone will be able to file for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) because you need to have a strong work history.  SSI, however, does not require a work history at all.  So long as you meet the resource eligibility guidelines  you can file for SSI.

Both programs, DIB & SSI, are run by the Social Security Administration and have similar rules for determining who is disabled.  SSI is a program for disabled people who are also living in poverty with very little financial resources.  If you win SSI you could get back pay, but none earlier than the date you apply (which is a strong reason to file sooner than later.)  SSI could also give you a monthly benefits check, and Medicaid health insurance.

A Fresh Start

Getting a monthly pay check and health insurance could be what you need to get a fresh start.  If you get back pay you may be able to pay off some debts and even have money left over to get into a new apartment or home or buy an inexpensive car.  With your new monthly budget based on your SSI check, you have a great chance of having a more stable life.

Taking Care of Yourself

When you win SSI you also get signed up for Medicaid, a government health insurance program.  Medicaid is great insurance, and it will allow you to see doctors and get prescriptions filled.  Your Medicaid will help you get the treatment you deserve to be able to start feeling better.

How Long Will it Take?

The Social Security Administration is a very busy branch of the federal government.  The Social Security Disability process is delayed due to a record number of applications being filed each year.  Although it is somewhat discouraging how long it can take to win disability benefits, it is critical that you understand the issue of back pay with SSI.

No back pay can ever be paid in an SSI case before the date you file.  That means you really have big incentive to file now, so that you get the earliest date you can for back pay.  Typically it takes a minimum of at least several months to get an answer once you first apply, and it can take over a year for most people to win at the hearing level.  Filing early, as soon as your problems rise to the level of preventing you from working full time, is the best advice for people considering getting a fresh start with SSI.

Posted in Basics of SSD, Living with a Disability, Winning Disability Benefits | 1 Comment

How Disabilities Can Change Your Family Life

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Editorial Board

Change can be good, but it can also be exhausting or hard to take.  Many of the biggest problems people face with their new disability is dealing with change.  Even if these changes have been forced upon you and your family, how you respond to your new situation is within your control.

Stay positive, do not allow the fear and doubt in your life to control your thoughts.  Take each day as an opportunity to remain in control of your family’s future by continuing to plan for your future and take action.  Although your options may have changed now due to your disability, you still have options, and you still need to be a leader in your family by deciding which path to take, and then taking action.

There is no shame in getting help when you need it.  As a leader in your household you need to be doing everything you can to keep the household happy and healthy.  If reaching out and getting help for yourself or your family is needed, then look for help and make an appointment.

Talk With Your Spouse

Your spouse and you have likely built a relationship that has changed to some extent over time.  Now that you are disabled maybe the responsibilities that each of you take on should be discussed again.  Have an open discussion with your spouse to let them know you want to continue to contribute around the house, but with some changes to accommodate you.

As long as your spouse feels you are doing as much as you can to help the household they will be grateful for your help.  Offer to do other chores within your abilities that your spouse currently does if you can no longer do some things you used to do.  See if you can get an older child to do some of the things you used to do so that everything you are unable to do doesn’t need to be done by your spouse.  Take responsibility for making sure the child does this work, so that you are effectively getting it done, like you used to, even if someone else is doing the task.

Get Help from Your Kids

Encourage your children to be more helpful around the house.  Let them know you are still there for them in all the important areas, but that you need their help now in a few areas where you didn’t need them before.  Most children will understand, especially if you are thankful for their help.

Stay Positive, Continue to Lead Your Household

Coping with change is going to be a topic that you and your family members need to get familiar with.  You may even get a book or two on the subject from the library to get some more ideas.  Living with a disability will certainly bring change to a household, but not all of the changes have to be bad.  Some changes will be challenging to deal with, but some can bring your family closer together.  Stay positive and look for the silver lining in everything.

Continue to be a leader in your household.  Find a way to make the best out of your situation, even if it is sometimes very hard to do, or even if it requires outside help.  When your family sees you continuing to take care of them, despite the changes you have been through, they will be impressed and you will continue to get their respect.

Posted in Living with a Disability | 1 Comment

You Have Questions & We’ve Got Answers

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Editorial Board

We have pulled together over 100 frequently asked questions about Living with a Disability, Social Security Disability benefits, and disabling medical conditions.  Our Question & Answer article category is full of articles we have written that respond to common questions.  These Q&A articles are in large part made up of questions that our readers submit.

How to Find an Answer on This Website
1.    Review the Question & Answer category page to see if we have already answered this question.
2.    If you don’t find it on the Question & Answer category page then keep browsing other categories related to your topic.  See the sidebar to the right for our complete list of categories; click any that are related to your question to browse for an article on the subject.
3.    If you don’t find the answer by browsing appropriate categories, try doing a keyword search to find any content we have on your subject.  In the sidebar to the right you will find a search box, enter your keywords you are searching for and then hit the enter button for results.

How to Get Your Question Answered

By Email:  If you looked already and don’t see that we already answered your question then please send it to us.  Here is the link to our contact form where you can submit us your question.  We will do our best to respond to you with an answer, we may even use your question as a new article for this site.

By Commenting:  We also routinely read and participate in the comments that are posted below articles throughout this site.  If your question is closely related to an existing article then consider asking your question in the comments section instead of by email.  We’ll answer your question in the comments, and maybe other members of the community will too, giving you a more varied perspective which could be helpful in some areas.

Posted in Living with a Disability, Questions & Answers | Comments Off on You Have Questions & We’ve Got Answers

Anti Depression Foods, Can They Help You?

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Editorial Board

If you suffer from serious depression that is interfering with your ability to live and work productively, you are probably interested in anything that may help. There are many ways to treat depression, and no one way is right for everyone. However, a nutritious and well-balanced diet rich in certain foods may help you combat depression, either alone or in combination with another treatment.

A diet rich in fish, particularly cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel, may help combat depression. Fish are a good source of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, which several studies have shown to have a significant anti-depressant effect when taken with or without conventional anti-depressant drugs. Walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds are also sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

B-vitamin deficiencies are common in people diagnosed with depression, and can even make anti-depressant drugs less likely to be effective. It is particularly important to get enough folic acid, a B-vitamin which can be found in foods such as spinach, orange juice, avocado, and peas.

The amino acid tryptophan can help increase levels of serotonin, a hormone that plays a significant role in depression. Anti-depressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by keeping serotonin from being reabsorbed by the brain’s nerve cells, which leaves more serotonin available in the brain. You can increase serotonin levels through diet by eating foods containing tryptophan, such as eggs, meat, and beans.

There are also certain foods that you should avoid in order to improve depression. Keeping a stable blood sugar level is important in maintaining a stable mood. To do this, avoid processed foods and refined carbohydrates and sugars, which cause major fluctuations in glucose levels. You should also avoid alcohol, which can deplete serotonin levels.

A traditional Mediterranean diet incorporates many of these tips, and a recent study suggests it may help prevent depression. Key components of the Mediterranean diet include a lot of fish, beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and cereals; little meat; a moderate amount of alcohol and dairy; and more monounsaturated fatty acids and fewer saturated fatty acids.

As you can see, there is nothing mysterious about anti depression foods, and they can be easily incorporated into your diet. There is scientific evidence that what you eat affects how you feel, and making a simple lifestyle change like modifying your diet is one way you can be proactive in your fight against depression.

Posted in Health & Wellness, Mental Conditions | 1 Comment