Social Security Benefit vs Job decision

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Wrong Planet Autism Forum Index -> Work and finding a Job

FlowingWater
Butterfly

Joined: Mar 23, 2012
Posts: 16

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject: Social Security Benefit vs Job decision

Is social security benefit qualified for someone with austism? If in the scenerio that you can..... what is your decision? I am thinking about this for a while but cant decide. I have hard time getting a job cause I'm just too damn shy and dont know where to start. I dont know places and I barely drive. If I was to get social security benefit.... it would ruin my life and self-pride. I want to be strong and dominate this shyness and autism by getting a job but it just too difficult. I know someone that got some kind social security benefits when he was only 19, 20 and he is now living like he hiding from the world..... he told his friends he works ect.... I dont want to be like him but it's been long enough time without income..... what should you do if you have option for social secuirty benefit?

jedaustin
Toucan
Toucan

Joined: Dec 26, 2010
Age: 44
Posts: 298

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:38 pm Post subject:

I would choose the job every time. From the tone of your message I think you would too. The easy path is never the right one; I wish it was.

Ellingtonia
Pileated woodpecker

Joined: Oct 10, 2011
Age: 21
Posts: 186

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:09 pm Post subject:

Of course you should "choose the job" but in many cases there isn't a job to choose. In cases like this social security is the only real option. It sounds to me like your problem isn't with not being able to find a job exactly, but with not knowing how to look. Have you tried job search websites? Newspaper classifieds? Even just dropping resumes off at various stores even if they don't have help wanted signs.

Bloom
Deinonychus

Joined: Mar 16, 2012
Posts: 332
Location: On the OTHER Wrong Planet. The nicer one...

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject:

Evening, I can tell you, professionally, autism is not an excluded diagnosis, however, having Asperger's alone will not qualify you for benefits. Many people receiving federal/state benefits are also living with another diagnosis (typically an Axis I/mood disorder). Regardless, this relates an impairment significant enough to preclude you from typical employment. It's a misnomer that those living with benefits don't work - some do. Personally, I was on federal/state benefits and "used them" to advance my studies far enough that I could get a comfortable job I could choose, rather than be relegated to employment I needed to take. While there are days I wish I could just stay home and hide, I wouldn't give up my job for anything. It's been a struggle, of course, and there are some really difficult days. The benefits, however, exceed my best days "happy" at home, hiding, when I was on benefits. Every year I grow and learn. Moreover, ever year I become a better advocate for people on the spectrum. Who knew? Me? An advocate? An educator? But... it happened. I took the risk and it was worth it. I hope you choose to take the risk, too. Do yourself a favor and get "Asperger's on the Job" - I have purchased this book for myself, my co-workers, and my supervisors. I use it to educate. It's a book I wish someone had pointed me to when I was starting... I hope it helps. _Bloom

Psygirl6
Deinonychus

Joined: Mar 28, 2009
Age: 34
Posts: 346

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:

I also live on the benefits. However, I use them to help me be able to live while I am going to school, because I could never work while doing school. Also, the great benefit is that I have a rehabilitation worker, so that when I do get my Associate's in May, I could have help finding a job that I could do and will also provide me accommodations due to the issues I have with my disability. Think of it is a survival need while using it to transition yourself into a better life.

redrobin62
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Apr 03, 2012
Age: 50
Posts: 3831
Location: Seattle, WA

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:30 am Post subject:

Being on the spectrum with my comorbids of avoidant personality disorder and extreme depression probably makes me eligible for SSD. At my age I'd probably just get around $950/month. I'd still work but just not at my old nursing job. I wouldn't mind something a little more easy going, like working in an animal shelter or pet store. I might have to move, though. My current apartment is $850. I suppose if I didn't have to worry about food or meds then the $950 SSD would be okay. Ahh...decisions, decisions. Should I apply? That is the question. _________________ If you think he's eloquent now just wait till he's sober! His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/

thewhitrbbit
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: May 31, 2012
Age: 27
Posts: 2154

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:20 am Post subject:

In my opinion; you should not be taking benefits unless you truly have no other options.

androbot2084
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Mar 24, 2011
Posts: 3076

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:37 pm Post subject:

For me my unemployment insurance was my disability check. But with this rough economy my unemployment insurance is dwindling.

hanyo
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Oct 01, 2011
Posts: 3446

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject:

I'd take the social security but it sounds like you don't want to do that and would rather work if possible.

jhighl
Raven
Raven

Joined: Apr 19, 2012
Age: 22
Posts: 121

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:42 pm Post subject:

It sounds like having a job is what you really want. Money isnt everything in the world but it wouldnt hurt to find more information about unemployment.

Wandering_Stranger
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 1136

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

I'm in a similar situation. Except, I have other disabilities alongside.

LostInBed
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: Aug 26, 2008
Posts: 707
Location: Falling asleep in Accounting 101

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:22 pm Post subject:

While SSDB(US and non-Ontario provinces) and ODSP are good because you get coverage with them the coverage is very limited and because, as I'd assume that much like ODSP, you're limited to a maximum amount of cash asset you're allowed to have while on it the job is better because you're not limited which means you can build up a saving account., _________________ Credit for profile pic to: http://axemgr.deviantart.com/art/Pony-warning-label-Caution-Pony-Content-284019451

TheHaywire
Velociraptor

Joined: Oct 11, 2009
Posts: 495

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:14 am Post subject:

I would not take it. Aspie's are independent thinkers and nothing feels worse than to be an independent thinker who has to rely on the state. You do not want to be trapped in the system like this unless you have no other option. Have you tried vocational rehab? _________________ http://experimenthaywire.com

thewhitrbbit
Phoenix
Phoenix

Joined: May 31, 2012
Age: 27
Posts: 2154

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:33 am Post subject:

I think it's offensive someone who could work would take government benefits. There are a lot of people who get up and go to work, deal with a lot of BS, all so they can have tax money taken out to pay these benefits. Those are for people who truly can't work, and even those people, I wish they were forced to volunteer or something. Everyone should be doing something unless they truly, truly can't do anything.