Need a Lounge opinion concerning SSI and why a person is on it.

[elocs]

My goddaughter who will be 19 this month collects SSI because she is considered to be disabled do to her mental illness. An elderly neighbor where she has just moved has hired her to help do some work and this woman knows she is on SSI, but not why.

The question will surely arise as to the reason why she is on SSI. Even in this supposedly more enlightened era a person would not want it known in a new neighborhood that they suffer from a mental illness. There are many who are still prejudiced against those who are mentally ill even though it affects 1% or more of the population.

What answer could my goddaughter give to this woman who is her new employer (it will actually be her first) as to why she is on SSI that would be honest and tactful without flat out telling her it is none of her business?

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I know little about SSI, but are you allowed to work while getting it?

I thought that the point was that you could not (for whatever reason) hold down a job. I'm not being nasty, just ignorant of the law on this. But if all is legal with this, I don't think that this "employer" is allowed to ask personal questions like this.

That said, all she would have to say to anyone would be that there are times when she has good days and bad days, and is unable to hold down a job due to the bad days. Every disabled person is not incapacitated every day of their life (thank god).

[elocs]

4. Yes, she can work. See my answer to post #2.

Another thing is that she has a disability from which she will never be completely cured. It can be managed and managed well as long as the one suffering from the disease has an awareness and insight into their disease and understands that they must continue to take their meds no matter how they fee.

It was a dicey question, but my 18 year old goddaughter handled it very well and her answer and how she performed her job and carried herself really impressed the woman. A poor or badly given answer might have turned it into something negative and fodder for gossip.

[Captain Boomerang]

2. If she is employed, her SSI may stop.

This usually happens.

Her employer may need to know her handicap for safety reasons. (Epilepsy can be dangerous if you drive a truck...) You might contact the ACLU and the U.S. Labor dept to see what should be disclosed/undisclosed.

Usually, there is a section on most employment applications that asks if there is any sort of handicap that would prevent a person from working... If her employer does not know already, then she/he is in for a surprise if something happens.

[elocs]

3. No, her SSI won't stop. There are situations if she goes to school until she is 22

where she would be able to make up to $1600 a month up to a total of $6600 a year, and another where she is transitioning back into the workforce where she could make up to $1000 a month for 3 years without reducing her SSI.

She is just working for an old neighbor lady. If she were working for an actual employer and they knew the reason that she was collecting SSI, then they would be in big trouble if they revealed that fact to anyone and there is a subtle difference between her situation and that one.

As it went the old lady did ask exactly why she was on SSI and my goddaughter told her it was because she is bipolar, which is the truth, but not all of it. She did assure the woman that her being on SSI did not entail any limitations on her or medical risks such as might happen with epilepsy.

She is such an intelligent, well-spoken and attractive young woman that most people would wonder why she is on SSI at all if her illness does not have an overt, external and obvious manifestation. But in my community as in many other places there is a good deal of prejudice against the mentally ill and they are not give a chance.

[Inchworm]

5. How 'bout those Yankees?

Enough times and the new person will get the hint :)

:hi:

[old mark]

6. Just tell the woman she has a chronic incurable illness that is not contageous...

she needs to know no more than that, actually she does not need to know that much.

Your goddaughter has a right to her privacy.

mark

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. ^^^This is the answer^^^

Well said, Mark :thumbsup:

[old mark]

9. I worked for years in a state mental hospital - my last job was

helping people get ready to be discharged-some after decades of hospitalization. Some were able to find real jobs, some were not able to work, but everyone has a right to privacy and not to have to suffer anyone's scorn because they are dealing with a terrible illness.

This young woman will have more than enough problems to cope with without people getting in her business.

mark

[EFerrari]

8. Perfect. n/t