How can I get help if I don't qualify for anything medically, SSI or anything else? I'm so sad, I cry everyday and I'm ill.

I don't know what to do anymore in order to get my life to move forward. I have recently been thru bankrupcy, lost everythingk my IRA, savings, etc and had to move into my boyfriends house who  resents me for having to pay for most of the bills. Besides what is going on in my life now as far as bills, money and such, I have been told from my Dr's that I have 5 bulging disc's with 3 of them hernaiated. It effects my life as far as work, and everything else. I'm so sad, I cry everyday, I can't do the anti-depressents, they work opposites for me plus I can't afford them. I am a traveling artist so I set up my display by myself, I can't do anything else, its the only thing I know. I don't qualify for SSI or anything that I know of. I need help to explain alot of the paperwork and such. In other words, I need an attorny to help me out. My family has alot of mental issues and won't/or help me understand what I need to move me forward, my boyfriend basicly doesn't care. I have Bc/Bs which I still keep paying, as long as I can work I will not get government assistance but I know I can quality for ssi when I turn 55 in May...I think.    Please help me, I need someone to explain things to me and to help me with paperwork.

[ILADVOCATE]

   You could read up on the specifics of SSI on the Social Security website which is ssa.gov (look at the questions and answers section). If you need specific legal advice you could consult an attorney. However if you have specific concerns about what benefits you are eligible and how they could help you could try your local independent living center. There is one in every county of every state.

[arfarf101]

I have alot of legal issues, I don't understand alot of stuff, I need for someone to explain to me what is going on, I get the letters in the mail of what is going on for SSi every year but I have to speak to someone, I don't understand. Perhaps you know the number here in hollywood, Florida whom I can speak too.

[Athena_M]

How old are you? All you need to do is call Social Security and make an appointment for SSI.  They will interview you and take all the information.  It is best to show up with all your medical records.  You can go to a lawyer, they advertise on TV and they will help you too.  They will take 25% of your first check (I think).

[ILADVOCATE]

   The Il Centers in Florida are listed here:
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/florida.html
They don't provide legal representation but at initial Social Security appointments and at the earlier stages of appeal such as an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing that's not always needed but they could provide assistance with that without requesting compensation. If its more complex than that and a lawyer is needed.then its best to find a referral service so you can find a lawyer who will be able to help you best.

[mrspalsgraf]

It's funny, I got to this forum randomly because I was looking for information about drug side effects for a SSI case I am working on.  I am a legal services attorney, and I represent clients in SSI cases.  

arfarf101: If you applied for SSI benefits and were denied and don't understand why, I may be able to explain it to you.  If you have not yet applied for SSI because you were told you did not qualify, I also may be able to explain that to you.  I cannot be your attorney and cannot represent you in your SSI case.   I will not give you a opinion as to whether your case is "good" or "bad" or tell you how you should proceed.  If you need an attorney, I can probably find a phone number for an SSI attorney in your area.  No attorney-client relationship is intended or will be created between us under these circumstances.  

If you don't understand the paperwork and need someone to explain what it means, I am more than willing to try to help you understand it, but if you ask me for legal advice, I will not give it to you.  The paperwork Social Security sends is confusing, and the application process is also confusing.  Unfortunately Social Security workers do not always give consistent or accurate information either.  

I'm going to send you a private message with my email address, and if want to email me with some questions, I will try my best to answer them for you.  

-melanie.

[mrspalsgraf]

FYI...

SSI is Supplemental Security Income.  The only prerequisites are that you have a medical (physical or mental) condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death and that you meet the income and resource limits.  SSI is like welfare for people who are disabled.  If SS finds  you disabled, you will get a check for about $700 a month.  

If you have a long work history, you may qualify for SSDI which is Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.  You still have to show that  you are disabled in the same way as for SSI, but you also have to meet the requirements for being insured, which are based on when you last worked and your work history (basically...it's actually stupidly complicated...

If you've been prescribed anti-depressants and you don't have health insurance, you absolutely need to talk to the doctor that prescribed them to see if he/she can help you.  Most psychiatrists will have a LOT of samples.  Yours may have samples for the drug he/she just prescribed.  There may be  

[mrspalsgraf]

an organization in your community that can help you pay for prescription medications or can help you get them cheaper.  Again, your doctor might know.

[mrspalsgraf]

Legal aid in Plantation, FL that handles SSI cases:
http://www.legalaid.org/coasttocoast/public_benefits.htm
(You will have to meet their income guidelines...in order to qualify...i don't know what theirs is, but my guess would be around 125-200% of the poverty line, meaning if your household's annual income is less than 125-200% of the federal poverty guideline for your household size..)

If you do not qualify because your income is to high and you need to find a private attorney, the National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR) has a lawyer referral service.  If you call them, they can give you the names of some attorneys in your area.  NOSSCR is a reputable organization, and I would call them first before you start looking in the yellow pages.  
http://www.nosscr.org/referral.html

There are statutory guidelines which limit the amount you can be charged for representation in a SSI case.  It is a contingent fee, meaning you do not pay the lawyer if you do not get benefits.   If anyone tells you that you need to pay them up front, walk out.  The fee cannot exceed the lesser of 25% of any back benefits paid to you or $6000.  You never pay the lawyer anything.  Social Security will take this money out of your benefits award automatically.