Disability questions

TheMorningStar

This may be a weird place to ask this stuff, but the PA community never ceases to amaze me with it's vast knowledge.

So here's the deal. I'm sick. I've got Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, and recently my Crohns disease has gotten so bad that I lost my job due to poor attendance. It was a shitty retail job, no big deal. I would find another job, but for the first time in five years I really don't think I can work with my health like this. So I'm considering disability. According to this site I would be eligible because I have ankylosing spondylitis and crohns. My question though is, when I am feeling better and want to get off, how hard is it? Or what other negatives are there? Or does anybody know of a job somewhere where I can sit on my ass behind a computer near a bathroom all day?

The thought of going on disability makes me sick, but if I can't work, I can't work. My bills don't stop coming if I stop working.

brandotheninjamaster

I know in Maryland, its not that hard to get off of disability. My father caught encephalitis, it went to his brain, caused damage; now hes on disability for life. As for negatives...I haven't seen any so far...it is what it is, your getting aid from the government because you are unable to work. I don't know the details of the tax stuff either, but I can't imagine it being that bad. As for a job like the one where you described I can't think of any.

Also, you may be able to apply for disability online, then I think you get an interview or two, then they make their decision. It may take a couple of months so I hope you have some savings. Good Luck.

EggyToast

It can be depressing since, you know, you're not working. You're at home all the time. Have you thought about jobs you could do at home?

Scrublet

I don't have much experience with people getting off disability...all I know is that it's a bitch to get on. You might want to consider tech support jobs if you have any sort of computer experience. Can you give any sort of elaboration on your skill set?

PirateJon

It's such a bitch to get on, you NEVER go off. Never. You can, but I've never know anyone that would. Blame our f-ed up system.

I knew one person that worked under the table for extra cash when he was able to work.

Tach

Check with your state's agencies for any possible disability benefit programs. If your state does not have mandatory disability, you are covered under ERISA, a federal program.

Social Security also has a disability program, but it does have limits, and is sometimes an arduous process to go through.

I work for a nationwide TPA for disability, and my area of expertise is in California's voulntary disability programs. Although, I now do data analysis. I'm not near a bathroom, however.

Good luck.

kaliyama

Wouldn't ERISA only cover you if you had some sort of disability plan in your pension, which someoen workign a dead-end part-time retail job is unlikely to have?