Coping with a Disability

Posted August 14, 2024 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

Disability can manifest itself in many ways. You may find yourself struggling with cognitive tasks, such as difficulty concentrating or remembering. People with limited mobility can find it hard to perform basic movements, such as climbing stairs or buttoning clothing. And experiencing a loss of independence can cause a decline in mental health, leading to symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 30% of Americans are living with a disability. So if you’ve been diagnosed with a permanently disabling condition, you’re not alone. Here are some tips to help you adjust to a “new normal” and thrive within the context of a supportive community.

• Take time to process what’s happened. Depending on your diagnosis, you may feel like your entire world has been upended. It’s completely understandable to be anxious about future treatment or angry at having favorite activities taken off the table. During this adjustment phase, it may help to reach out to a mental health professional who can suggest resources tailored to your needs. 
• Ask questions. Many disabled people feel a loss of autonomy that can be compounded by obscure or technical medical terminology. If your head is swimming with questions, write them down as they come. Bring your notes with you to your next doctor’s appointment. You can also ask a friend or family member to come with you and take notes so you can focus on the conversation with your medical professional. 
• Advocate for yourself. It can be difficult to speak up on your own behalf, especially if you’re not used to it. But you deserve to feel safe and comfortable receiving assistance. Try raising smaller concerns with others first so you can then feel more confident addressing larger hurdles. 
• Set boundaries. “Spoon theory” is a popular metaphor people with disabilities sometimes use to describe the amount of physical and emotional effort they can expend throughout the day. If you’re running low on your energy reserves, let others around you know. Well-meaning loved ones may not understand that even a short visit or simple task can be very draining for somebody with a disability, so it’s okay to tell them when you’re “out of spoons” and need to rest and recharge.
• Be kind to yourself. You don’t need to be a superhero or live up to unrealistic expectations. When you feel frustrated about your limitations, it may help to focus on what you can do. Accepting that making mistakes is part of learning and growth will make it easier to move forward if you don’t succeed with a new skill on the first try.

Some people find it rewarding to attend disability support groups to help with the sense of isolation that can come with many medical conditions. These groups allow you to connect with people in similar situations and discuss challenges unique to your diagnosis. Many groups offer virtual sessions for people who aren’t able or don’t wish to attend in person. 

Financial Assistance while Waiting

Posted August 13, 2024 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

The Social Security Administration (SSA) takes many months—sometimes even years—to approve an application for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While you wait for a decision, it can be risky to work. So, how do you survive? Here are some ways to get cash assistance to help you get by.

Your first step should be to contact your local Department of Social Services (DSS) and ask to speak with an Adult Services Social Worker. Social workers can refer you to assistance programs and charitable organizations that help people who need money or other assistance while waiting for disability benefits. Here are some types of assistance they may be able to help you apply for.

State Disability Benefits and Paid Leave Programs

Five states, including California and New York, provide short-term disability benefits (also called temporary disability insurance) for 26 to 52 weeks, and now another dozen states provide paid family and medical leave, though usually only for 6 to 12 weeks.

Each state program operates differently, but generally, these programs can replace some of your income while you’re waiting for Social Security disability. For more information, read about the short-term disability and paid medical leave programs in all 50 states.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance in all 50 states to low-income families with children, for a limited number of months. You can use the cash to pay for your living expenses.

Each state has different rules about who can qualify for TANF, and for how long. You can get contact information for each state’s TANF program on the Health and Human Services TANF map.

General Assistance or Relief Money

About half the states provide cash assistance to people without children. Previously known as “welfare,” public assistance (called general assistance or general relief in some areas) pays a limited amount of money for a short period of time. The amount of the benefit and how long it’s paid varies widely by state.

If you’ve filed for SSI benefits, you could get temporary cash through your state’s Interim Assistance Reimbursement (IAR) program, which is usually part of the general assistance program. However, you’ll have to pay back the IAR money when and if you get your SSI back pay.

Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called food stamps, can help you put food on the table while you’re waiting for disability benefits.

You should qualify for SNAP benefits if you’re financially eligible for SSI or TANF benefits. You could also qualify for this food assistance program if you have little to no income while waiting for SSDI disability benefits to be approved.

Free Health Insurance

If you had to stop working because of a disability, your health insurance probably ended. You might be able to get help covering your medical costs through the Medicaid program, which provides health insurance to people with low incomes.

Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so eligibility will vary depending on where you live. But if you qualify for SSI, TANF, or SNAP benefits, you should qualify for Medicaid too. To apply for Medicaid, you can contact your state Medicaid agency or fill out an application at healthcare.gov.

Get Help With Heating and Cooling Bills

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) helps low-income households with heating and cooling costs through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP can help you pay utility bills and make energy-related home repairs.

If you qualify for SNAP or TANF benefits, you might be automatically eligible for help from LIHEAP. To apply, find the LIHEAP program in your area.

Learn more about getting help with housing while you wait for Social Security to make a decision on your claim.

Cut Back on Expenses and Consider a Loan

You’ll probably need to reduce your expenses even if you’re able to get some kind of public assistance. Analyze your personal finances to see what you can cut. While you need to pay for food and other necessary items, you might be spending too much on these items. You might be able to make different choices and save some money.You can also look into taking out a loan to keep your bills paid while you wait for the disability determination processes to be completed. But beware of payday loans, personal loans with high interest rates, and pawnshop loans.

Consultative Examinations for Mental Impairments

Posted July 11, 2024 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®

If you’re applying for disability due to a mental health disorder, Social Security may ask you to attend a consultative examination (CE) with a psychologist or psychiatrist to better understand your condition. CEs are a very common step in the disability determination process, and are typically scheduled after you first submit your application for benefits (or after you’ve appealed a denial).

Social Security can schedule you for a mental CE even if your application only lists physical conditions. Because your mental health can affect the types of tasks you’re able to do or how you interact with others, the agency needs to know if you have any cognitive or emotional limitations that would keep you from performing certain jobs. Therefore, when you go to a mental CE, it’s important to be forthcoming about any symptoms of depression, anxiety, or related disorders you’re experiencing. 

Your mental CE should take roughly one hour. The psychologist or psychiatrist conducting the exam will likely start by asking you about your medical history and any mental health issues you’re experiencing. The doctor will also ask about any therapy, counseling, or medications you’ve taken in the past, and whether these treatments worked for you. Finally, the doctor will ask about the ways in which your mental health interferes with your daily routines, such as grocery shopping, paying bills, and cleaning the house. 

Depending on your specific condition, the doctor is also likely to administer a mental status examination. Mental status exams involve several simple questions designed to evaluate your memory, mood, and reasoning abilities. The doctor may ask you to count backwards from 100 by threes, recall basic objects after five minutes, or interpret a set of pictures. 

The mental status examination will be included in the psychiatrist or psychologist’s report to Social Security, along with their observations about your behavior. It’s common for the doctor to describe your appearance, speech, and “affect” (how your emotions appear to others). For example, somebody with few to no symptoms of a mental impairment may be described as well-groomed, speaking at a normal volume and rate, with a “broad affect” (healthy range of emotional responses). But somebody with severe depression may be described as disheveled in appearance, speaking very slowly and softly, with a “flat affect” (limited emotional responsiveness). 

It’s normal to be nervous during the CE, especially if you haven’t had any formal mental health evaluations before. You might be worried about messing up or saying the wrong thing, but the CE isn’t a pass or fail event. Answering the questions honestly and with specific details is the best way to approach a mental CE.