Any advice on finding a job with fibro without losing my SSI/Health benefits

Hello, I have a question about trying to go back to work at a part time job. I'm currently on S.S.I. and Medicaid. I'm really wanting to try to go back to work, I've never been able to keep a job because of my disability, but I would at least like to try part-time again. But I'm not sure if I can and keep my benefits. Health insurance is my main concern. If I lose my health insurance I'll be dead within a few months (asthma). I've got degenerative osteoarthritis in my feet. I've also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and all the gifts that go with it. I'm tired of struggling from month to month, I'd like to have that little extra to be comfortable and not have to worry about day to day expenses. Also I just want to get out of the house if I can for a couple of hours a day. I've heard horror stories about ticket to work: people losing all their benefits, medical insurance, investigations, etc. I also tried a vocational service (DARS here in Texas) and it was a joke. They convinced me to go to university and promised to pay for a bachelors in English. Two years into it I was told that unless I could guarantee employment after graduation that they would cut my funding (they wanted me to sign a contract guaranteeing employment). I could not and they cut me off right then and there. I had to scrap enough together to pay for the rest of the semester myself. I was receiving a Pell grant but it was just not enough for tuition, etc. They said they would help me find a job after they cut off my schooling but I never heard back from them.

Question: What resources are there for me in Texas. Is there anyone I can call to discuss my concerns and options? What advice do you all have.?

I would appreciate any input on this.

Amber- I am on disability too. My understanding years ago people would work part time and get disability. Now they frown on you trying to work a few hours, Especially if you keep the amount right under the limit. I know I wouldn't take a chance to lose my Medicare. My health goes up and down. Just went through a round of bad health. I couldn't imagine without health insurance. I know it's hard with having fibro because you do have some good days. You just never know when those days are. There are days I wish I can work, but I know I wouldn't last very long.

Good luck in trying something new.

You are allowed a work trial to see if you can work. What you make is deducted from your SS check. Major warning - they will red flag your case for constant review and you are likely to lose your benefits if you show you can even try to work.

SS disability wants you 100% disabled to continue benefits.

I'm 39 also and it can get very depressing to think of living the rest of my life this way. But nobody can live in constant fear of the "what ifs". Don't borrow worry for things that haven't happened yet and may never happen.

I think it's very important to take care of our mental health as well as our physical health. I think most people that suffer from chronic pain needs to be on an anti-depressant. That's just from my personal experience.

I worked for a disabled man that has since passed away. He was a miracle that he had lived as long as he had. He could only move his hand to control an electric wheelchair.

The ironic thing is he was a full time worker for social security disability. He interviewed the applicants. The state tried to tell him they were going to stop paying for around the clock caregivers if he continued to work! They preferred him to sit at home and vegitate than have any semblance to a normal life. He couldn't afford that kind of care- working or not.

I was very proud to see articles in the paper he had written and the way he died fighting to have a life.

Since your check would be docked for any work you have done maybe you can consider volunteering somewhere on days you feel up to it.

Hope things get better for you!
Dawn

Well, to not take medication is your choice. Sometimes, we have to try manage the really important stuff, and just ride with others.

Everyone is in a different situation, and has different tolerances for medicines. New diagnoses are stressful. And it is very difficult to work your way through how to handle the new problems effectively.

Contact your SSI office. They will be able to direct you with information. You might also be able to ferret out the answer online. Disability is federal, while medicaid is state funded(I believe), so you might need to cross search. Stopping byt he office would be best, likely, in order to get a clear picture.

Health care is in extreme flux at the moment, due to ACA.

An English degree is a poor bet in this tough environment, which may be why you never heard from them, especially if you recently had declared your major. STEM is a reality in today's work force.

Also, I am a little confused. Do you have a fibro diagnosis or no? What medications are you taking, or what steps are you taking to manage?

Oops! Again I see I was wrong. I should have said SSI and Medicaid.

Amber, did you have trouble getting SSI? I've been denied disability twice. I didn't know work credits expire til recently. I'm afraid that means I need to apply for SSI now and it may effect when I will marry now. Seems like it's always something.

Myself 09- I don't have an official diagnosis by a rheumatologist. No rheumatologist will see me because of my insurance in this state. I do have a diagnosis by exclusion though. My doctor stated doing every kind of medical and psych. test to rule everything else out. So due to everything else being ruled out...I have fibro. I'd like a concrete diagnosis though.

I was never given the actually diagnostic test for malaysia gravis, or lupus...my doctor just ruled those out based on looking at me. That worries me but I can't do anything about it. This fatigue worries me a lot. Even typing this message is very tiring.

I was told for over 30 yrs that it was all in my head so I've been on every kind of anti-depression med. None of them relieved my symptoms, the side effects almost killed me and the meds themselves made me depressed and angry. I've gotten used to dealing with the pain on my own, I have no choice. I would be willing to try an anti-anxiety med if my new doctor will even prescribe one. The only med I'm on are for my asthma (2) I've been on lyrica and amitriptyline, both were useless. I've read that some fibro patients don't respond to these meds. My doctor isn't allowed to prescribe pain meds or muscle relaxers. I have no option but to stay with him and have my asthma treated. I'm also on multi-vit, cod live oil, magnesium, malic acid, SAM-e, B-complex, D3 3000 mg, for sleep, melatonin

I have talked to my SS office and they were pretty much unwilling to help me. Meaning they wouldn't talk to me abut options or give the number of someone who could help. They gave me a web link to look up.

The DARS counselor I was seeing at the time (2009) convinced me to go for the degree (my aim was for libriarian, the library wouldn't hire anyone without a degree) after 2 years and great grades and new DARS counselor cut me off and never even tried to find me a desk job...DARS (Division of Rehabilitative Services) They exist to find disabled people jobs.

skyeblue74- I do volunteer with a local animal rescue group...I don't like to be around people but I force myself to do it. The people I volunteer with only contact me when they need me to foster a kitten. about the meds: I have such bad side-effects from them, and the feeling of hostility are horrible. I went onto SSI and medicaid in 2000 because no insurer would take me on because of my asthma (I'm in a high risk group) I had no trouble being accepted. Before that I was in the ER every few days for attacks. I didn't consider the fibro to be real until a few years ago...but the symptoms of it started when I was still in elementary school (30+ yrs ago)

jkn913_ I've had jobs in the past but the thing is that after about a week to two weeks my body poops out. I'm like a cheap battery from the dollar store. I have a decent bit of energy for a while and then it just goes away. I was always being fired for Laziness (I'm not lazy, the people who know me can attest to that) I boost myself up with B-complex, mtn.dew, sugar and caffine. The osteoarthritis in my feet is also a factor, I'd need a desk job. I've done the research on Ticket to Work but am really scared about it because if I have my benefits and insurance taken away my asthma will go out of control, I'll lose my rental assistance, etc. I live in a very small town and the job situation is grim. If I could train to do data entry from my home it would be ideal. As I am now, I'd only be able to work a few hours a week. Just keeping my home and lawn tidy takes up most of my strength. I can drive very well (we don't have taxies where I live) and my 2 medications are covered.

I'm sorry but were you not listening??? DARS and all programs like it are WORTHLESS! Thanks but No thanks