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Home > Applying for Disability and Food Stamps

Applying for Disability and Food Stamps

November 1st, 2008 at 09:17 pm

I think I might apply for disability. My MS is getting worse and I am having trouble getting to or even being able to work.

I'm having another attack; this time my right leg and some double vision again. I need a cane to walk whenever I leave the house. I walked around the mall with Mums today for about an hour, and was so tired and wiped out I came home and slept for 2 hours.

I haven't been able to work for the last month (with temp services). I am trying to do more work from home with my freelance editing, but I haven't been able to get any new clients. I still do the tarot readings once a week, but last week I brought home $11. Not enough to live on.

I had a new MRI on Thursday. It shows new and active lesions, which means my MS is progressing. The meds I am on is supposed to stop that, but either I haven't been on them long enough (started Feb 1st) or they aren't working for me. So, the change that soemthing will happen in the near future is raised.

Next week I have to have 5 IV steroid treatments. Each one will last about 2 hours, and I will have one a day. Hopefully this will clear up my legs issue. But there is no way I can work next week, either.

So, I am thinking of applying for disability. My Dr is not a fan of it, and I'm not sure if he will support my decision, so we will see what happens. I hate the idea of it, but if I can't work, what else can I do?

I am also applying for food stamps. Looks like we will get aroun $200 a month. Thanks to all I have learned here, we can work with that.

Posted in | 21 Comments »

21 Responses to “Applying for Disability and Food Stamps”

  1. Ms. Pearl Says:
    November 1st, 2008 at 09:25 pm 1225574752
    1225574752

    I'm so sorry. I have 2 cousins with MS (brother and sister) and I see how they suffer. I am 32 and am very fearful of developing this. One thing so frustrating about MS is that you never know the course of the disease. I wish you the best and I'll say a prayer.

  2. NJDebbie Says:
    November 1st, 2008 at 09:50 pm 1225576213
    1225576213

    I'm so sorry you are going through this. Get all the help you can get and if your doctor doesn't seem supportive get another doctor.

  3. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    November 1st, 2008 at 10:42 pm 1225579358
    1225579358

    MS is so much more 'common' than we realize. A member of my online craft club also has some effects. She's a 20s mom with a 2 yo. Use this group to your full extent of need, please.

  4. baselle Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 03:20 am 1225596002
    1225596002

    My thoughts are with you - you have to do what you have to do. Food stamps, disability, and unemployment are there as a safety net. If you're falling, its silly not to use them all.

  5. boomeyers Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 05:26 am 1225603572
    1225603572

    I agree with Baselle, do what you have to do. Remember, this is not a hand out, you pay into these programs when you are working. This is what they are there for.

    Good luck with the treatments. Do'nt get upset at what the steriods can do. It will all go away again when the treatments are over. Good luck!

  6. fern Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 02:55 pm 1225637725
    1225637725

    Oh, Koppur, Koppur. I'm so sorry to hear that.

    IMO, whether or not you apply for disability shouldn't really be your doc's concern. I wonder if his personal politics are getting in the way. But i guess you need his support to apply for disability, i think.

  7. StressLess Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 03:22 pm 1225639369
    1225639369

    Koppur, I hope you get some relief soon. It must be very frustrating just trying to get anything sedentary done with double vision, not to mention the other problems. I agree, take advantage of any programs you can. Getting rid of some of the financial stress can only help. Will be thinking of you.

  8. toyguy1963 Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 04:36 pm 1225643804
    1225643804

    Sorry Koppur that your MS is getting worse. I hope the meds eventually kick in and get you better.

    I think applying for diability and food stamps is a good idea too. I'm shocked and upset that your doctor doesn't agree. I'm sure he gets his money and you have to survive too.
    Take care of yourself.

  9. dmontngrey Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 09:12 pm 1225660360
    1225660360

    I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. You and I around the same age and I just can't imagine. Not sure why your doctor is not on board with this. If you have to go for so many doctor appointments or are being run down due to the MS, then what else ARE you supposed to do? If you can't work for medical reasons, that's what disability is there for. Do what you have to do to survive please!

  10. Koppur Says:
    November 2nd, 2008 at 09:42 pm 1225662141
    1225662141

    Thank you all so much. Your support means the world to me! *hugs all around*

  11. Snoopycool Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 01:34 pm 1225719282
    1225719282

    I'm sorry to hear this! I hope you feel better soon. Thoughts are with you.

  12. ceejay74 Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 05:51 pm 1225734715
    1225734715

    Hang in there, koppur. I agree with everyone else; not sure why your doctor would oppose, but please don't let him influence your decision. Take whatever help you can find...that's why we have systems in place, to help good honest people like you who have fallen on hard times.

  13. monkeymama Says:
    November 3rd, 2008 at 09:40 pm 1225748420
    1225748420

    I've been there. I think doctors often don't take their patients seriously. Or are wary of those who take advantage. There is no way to measure "tired" and "run down."

    You just got to fight for yourself.

    Anyway, take care and hang in there.

  14. creditcardfree Says:
    November 4th, 2008 at 04:21 am 1225772499
    1225772499

    Wishing you the best in the days and months ahead. Your goal is survival, take all the help you can get.

  15. mom-from-missouri Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 02:05 am 1225937152
    1225937152

    Apply for it. I hear they normally turn it down 3 times before it is accepted, so start the process now.
    What type do you have?? I have Relapsing-Remitting and I am just coming out of a flair up. Usually mine gets better in the cooler months, so I should do good through spring (I hope).
    If your dr is against it, get another doctor.

  16. twotinytoes Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 07:42 am 1225957343
    1225957343

    You deserve to receive disability. But it only lasts for a year. As someone who has gone through it, it buys you some time to figure out what to do. But at the same time, not working can make you go a little crazy.

    Find a doctor who will support you getting disability. But also figure out other treatments, possibly acupuncture, with the right acupuncturist. Hope you feel better soon.

  17. twotinytoes Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 07:16 pm 1225999002
    1225999002

    Also, check out Montell Williams, the talk show host. He has MS, but changed his diet and lifestyle, takes meds to manage MS. And he is still able to do his talk show.

  18. MICLASON Says:
    November 7th, 2008 at 03:41 pm 1226072468
    1226072468

    ((hugs)) If you can't work, then you need to go on disability. I don't see why your doctor would oppose it.
    I hope the meds work!

  19. Koppur Says:
    November 10th, 2008 at 04:23 pm 1226334191
    1226334191

    Thanks for the tips, everyone. Smile
    Mom-I have RRMS as well. Was dx last year, and am having a very rough 1ast year. Just coming out of a long flair-up. Glad to hear you are feeling better with yours and hope you are well!

  20. Lost in Debt Says:
    November 11th, 2008 at 09:15 am 1226394925
    1226394925

    I have two friends here who have MS, they both go to the same Chiropractic and she has them on a very controlled diet with special juices and etc., they have both done extremely well; one has her own law firm and one manages a bank. It's more of a holistic healing approach. Best wishes and I'd apply now for the diability, it is a long process and once it is finally approved, it is retroactive from the day you first applied.

  21. tonemagic Says:
    December 22nd, 2008 at 01:11 pm 1229951490
    1229951490

    Just stumbled onto this site while searching for clues regarding my own deficit. Not dealing with MS myself, but as a lifelong musician, I've sure known a few folks who are. Nothing like spending half a lifetime developing your craft, and having your hopes and dreams ripped away midstream. Oh, there is one thing worse..... a future of uncertainty and misery as you try to fall back on a broken help system. On top of the world one minute, bottom of the heap the next.

    Whatever the problem, we all face a life of doom & gloom when society's economic focus is on corporate wealth, space exploration, military might, oil war for profit, etc. instead of the needs of humanity. God help us all.

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