Basically the title. But for context:

I have AvPD, Avoidant Personality Disorder. I know I'm not the only hexbear who suffers from this, as it's been discussed here and mentioned a few times. It's pretty severe in my case, enough that the psychologist I am able to see (at a low-income clinic that accepts my state's version of medicaid) has been strongly suggesting that I apply for disability. And without going into detail, I don't know how I'm going to survive in the looming, relatively near future without aid. (I'm already on SNAP aka foodstamps and really struggling). So I applied for SSI. I have my first means-testing meeting this week. It will just be over the phone, but they say to have at least 2 hours of time for the interrogation. I'm deeply dreading it, and figured it couldn't hurt to see if anyone here maybe had some advice. I know I will be denied at first, that denial on the first attempt is a given for literally everyone since they want to weed out people who "aren't serious" about needing help. I know I'll have to reapply and appeal probably a few times and even then it's not exactly likely, especially since I'm applying with a psychological problem rather than physical. I do have some physical problems too, but they are secondary.

So... is there anything a person should know going in? Does anyone have experiences with the process that they'd care to share? Or hell, even just thoughts on how fucked up the whole thing is.

  • Quimby [any, any]
    ·
    3 years ago

    Oh. I would definitely listen to the lawyer then. That surprises me too, but I would 100% trust your lawyer and defer to them. Lawyers will pretty much always give you sincere best advice, as the law gives them maximum incentives and protection to actually look out for the best interests of their clients.

    And maybe the balance is to clearly frame the drug use as a result of your disability, not a cause of your disability. Your disability incapacitates you, and the drug use is a well-intentioned attempt to self-help.

    • AncomCosmonaut [he/him,any]
      ·
      3 years ago

      I hope the lawyer is right. And I will follow his advice, but I can't help but tread lightly with some of it. I wonder how much the first one really matters anyway, since I'm 100% going to get denied.

      As for the second half of your comment. Yep. I think you're right on. That's probably the best tack to take. It also happens to be completely true.

      I appreciate you taking the time to talk this stuff through with me.