Collecting Disability at a young age.

Hey all,

I know the topic of disability has come up many, many times on this forum, but i was wondering if anyone younger than 25 has actually collected it. I am a 20 year old female with severe Crohn's from mouth down to the anus. I am on immuno suppressants including regular treatments of remicade. I am a college student, but only taking about 10 credits because that's all I can handle. Also, I'm at a community college because i didn't think living away from home would be a good idea. many days I cannot even go to my classes. I do have a little job as a paid tutor only 5 hrs a week and maybe $150-180 per month. Many times I cannot even go to this job because of either extreme nausea, diarrhea, chills, arthritis, insomnia, or fever. It really comes and goes and sometimes i feel okay. I mean do you guys think I have a good case or not because I am so young and I have not really contributed to SS. Although i think i would be able to collect on my parents? Anyway i just really think disability would help me because my insurance is almost like $420 per month plus all other bills and although my parents can pay for it it's getting really expensive and I know it's a strain. I feel like a failure/useless because I basically still have to ask my mom for money because I don't make that much on my own due to my unpredictable health at times. Do you think my doctor could point me in the right direction, we've been looking at lawyers, I just wanted to know if anyone had any input about the disability process for a young person.

Thanks so much,
Hillary

If you are in the US the process seems to vary a great deal from state to state. I guess you'll just have to go through the process and find out unless you can get advice from someone in the state you're in.

Good luck.

thanks for all the responses, yes i live in the US, in IL. I know the process will take a long time but i'm going to check my state's SS laws and definitely look into it.

I was 21, am now 36.

Good Luck

Hillary,

With your limited work history, it is unlikely that you would qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance [SSDI]. However, if you meet the medical criteria, you likely would qualify for Supplemental Security Income [SSI]. Both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration.  The criteria required to qualify are explained here: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Dollar amounts awarded through SSI depend on several factors but are never more than $674 [this it the 2009 rate]. Some states add money to the SSI amount for their citizens that qualify.

in some states you have to have 40 quarters of work, so I think it cannot hurt to apply.

hey everyone,

thank you so much for all the replies. Ides- thank you for clearing the SSD and SSI for me. I now know i would fall into the SSI category, i was just asking because reading the government websites there was a section about being able to collect on your parents if you were under 22, but i wouldn't qualify for that anyway. Also, i mean i do know SSD is for people who work a long time and i'm not trying to take anything away from that, but being so young and not being able to even hold down a part time job(i've tried on and off since 15), i really could use the assistance.
Also-crazycolitis, what do you mean about college disability services? i am signed up with the health office so in case i need a medical withdrawl i can have one, or extra time or whatever. is that what you mean?
Again, thanks everyone for the advice and i'm definitely going to look into SSI.