The hardest thing to do is to ask for financial aid

[Suzanne]

I saw a psychiatrist today, because my GP said that in order for me to be registered as disabled, I needed to see a psychiatrist and thus, why I went.

I am being transferred to a psychologist, as he delved into my childhood history and wanted me to go into great detail about agoraphobia and social phobia and my description of how I felt going out on my own and just deviating from my usual route, was like climbing Mount Everest. He smiled when I said that and got the point.

I hate doing this, because it causes the ptsd to come to the surface, but I see I have no choice, if I wanted to be recognised as disabled and receive a bit of financial help.

Was horrified when he asked my husband to leave the room, but all was good, because he used a human translator via the phone. I was happy though, because quite a bit of what he said I did understand ( French).

 

[Atrapa Almas]

Every dollar they give you will be better spent that most taxes are spent.

 

[Crabcore]

Definitely push for it if you can. Sometimes it can be really hard to advocate for yourself.

I've had to spill my guts out to psychiatrists for this reason and had them basically yell at me in return, telling me that I'm absolutely not autistic (despite a previous diagnosis) because I can handle a one-on-one conversation and that receiving disability benefits is an 'unhealthy lifestyle choice' (big brain moment, there). Then later, it turned out that I would never quality anyway so all of those pursuits were pretty much meaningless and wasted everybody's time.

I still don't regret trying, in spite of the backlash I received from professionals, family, etc, but it's definitely painful and cringe-inducing at times. If it helps, just remember that the reward might actually be worth it in the end.

 

[Knower of nothing]

I don't think I would've been capable of asking for this either. My parents handled the whole process while I was still young.

I'm absolutely not autistic (despite a previous diagnosis) because I can handle a one-on-one conversation

Bahaha. Doesn't sound like a very educated opinion.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

It’s okay. You’re worth it.

 

[Suzanne]

Every dollar they give you will be better spent that most taxes are spent.

Mmm failed to think of it like that!

 

[Suzanne]

Definitely push for it if you can. Sometimes it can be really hard to advocate for yourself.

I've had to spill my guts out to psychiatrists for this reason and had them basically yell at me in return, telling me that I'm absolutely not autistic (despite a previous diagnosis) because I can handle a one-on-one conversation and that receiving disability benefits is an 'unhealthy lifestyle choice' (big brain moment, there). Then later, it turned out that I would never quality anyway so all of those pursuits were pretty much meaningless and wasted everybody's time.

I still don't regret trying, in spite of the backlash I received from professionals, family, etc, but it's definitely painful and cringe-inducing at times. If it helps, just remember that the reward might actually be worth it in the end.

They YELLED at you? Hardly professional now.

I expected when I showed my scruffy piece of evidence that I am on the autism spectrum, that he would have a: aha moment, but instead, he QUESTIONED it and even asked where it was, which was pretty weird, since the the paper said where it was and he even asked what date, so, with all the neutral aspect, I could muster, I pointed to the date and he was surprised that it was only in 2019 that I received it.

I guess he wants to make his own evaluation of me.

 

[Suzanne]

It’s okay. You’re worth it.

Thank you for saying that!

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I would do it.

I get crazy checks for being autistic and other physical stuff I'd rather not go into. (A friend, years ago, called the Social Security Income he received for his mental health status, "Crazy Checks". I thought that was just the funniest thing! So ever since then, I call it "Crazy Checks" too.)

The security of knowing that you'll have a stable source of income, when it's hard to maintain employment, is a comforting feeling.

Also, in the USA, if you are receiving Social Security Income or Social Security Disability, you are allowed to have a job and as long as you make under a certain amount, it won't affect your eligibility or the amount of benefit you receive. They want you to try out working in different situations. And if one day, you make enough money to support yourself, in a field where you feel like you're able to work at long-term, that's the ultimate goal. But they also understand if you cannot work at all, and do not push the issue.

It's empowering.