I would say more that if they are disabled, and not able to work, they’re not eligible for unemployment, as in order to receive unemployment, you must be ready and able to work. If you have ever applied for or received unemployment benefits, they tell you that constantly.

That’s backed up by this link. Read this: http://socialsecurity.findlaw.com/social-security-disability/social-security-disability-and-unemployment.html

Also, to receive unemployment benefits, you have to seek employment and show proof of that.

Ah, yes. Of course. Thanks @jca.

Disability can take a long time to get. Her unemployment will most certainly run out before she would be able to get it. Odds are that her initial claim will be denied and she will have to appeal.

Have you actually gone into the SSI office and filed a claim there? I wouldn’t really consider it a swamp unless you are just piecing info together from the Internet. Go in and talk to them and you fill out a form and then they set you up with a doctor to review the claim.

I did not experience a swamp when I applied for SSDI. I made an appointment at the Social Security Office and went at that time. I was interviewed, the interviewer wrote down my answers to the questions on their form, and the form was submitted. I was approved 6 months later. It was 1 form. It was a long form, but it was only 1.

I later helped a friend with his application. Again, it was one form, and I helped him with his answers. There was a place where friends could write their information, too, and I did that, describing how his disability affected his life.

Instead of relying on the Internet for what might be the case, why don’t you just call Social Security? In my considerable experience, they are very easy to talk to, and they will give you facts.

Also, I was not on unemployment at any time before approval. I was, however, on welfare, which I had to repay when I was approved. If I remember correctly, welfare was $418/month, and I was on it for about 5 or 6 months. It was not a lot of money.

For her, under the conditions, it would be a swamp @johnpowell. I called the SSA and was given a site where I can apply online for her. I’m copying and pasting the questions into Word so I can send it to her to fill out.
The SSA said they can have someone call her for the interview.

@Hawaii_Jake You were also able to walk and get around, drive yourself where ever. Her physical limitations along with her emotional exhaustion makes even the smallest things overwhelming to her.

@jca had the answer to this question any way.

@Dutchess_III Please, do not presume to understand my circumstances at the time I applied for SSDI. No one receives SSDI because they are well. Your passive aggressive sentiments are heard loud and clear. I will refrain from inserting any further facts from my years of experience in this matter.

I don’t mean to be a butthead @dutchess, but you could be a little more appreciatve of people that take their time to try to give you advice.

I am, @chyna. However, I don’t think being told, “But it’s so easy!” really helps under my daughter’s particular circumstances. Also, assuming that I’m just floundering around on the internet to get my answers is not helpful, and is a bit insulting.
I am not talking about @johnpowell, either. To him I just clarified that I did contact the Social Security Administration to get started. However, when I called them, I didn’t have this question in mind. And @jca is spot on…you have to be ready and able to work to file unemployment, and she is not able at this point. May never be again.

Really, go in. You might have to wait for a hour but a human can answer questions and expedite in a way the person on the phone won’t since there about 1000 people waiting in the phone queue and they want you off the phone as fast as possible..

I understand. Let me get as much leg work done as possible before I get to the point where I have to take her in. She’s in so much pain. She can’t sit in regular chairs and she needs a particular amount of support in particular places.

Not to say I don’t appreciate the information and experience from @Hawaii_Jake, but his description of his experience sounds very simple and easy. What I’ve heard in my 16+ years in social services, over and over and over from many clients and in my personal life from friends who’ve applied, is that they usually reject the applicant the first time around and the whole process is lengthy (which is why many choose to hire the services of an attorney).

For a person without a severe physical and painful disability, along with mental weariness, I’m sure the process IS simple and easy. For a person with such mental and physical disability, it can be simply over whelming, no matter how easy it is.
I’m just trying to make it even easier for her. I’ve down loaded the checklist and I’ll be asking her questions, one at a time over the next couple of days.

If the process is lengthy it will be that much more stressful for her, so I’ll try to take the brunt of that as much as I can.

Here is where I started.

I am going to work my way through this checklist over the next couple of days.

I’ll have us as ready as possible when the time comes.

@jca, I’ll check into an attorney…but do I wait until it’s denied, or contact an attorney before I apply? How much is that, do you know?

Also, the application is easy but the “process is lengthy, hire an attorney….” well, that sounds a bit frustratingly swampy to me.

@Dutchess_III: I’d imagine you’d bring your documents to the attorney, he’d fill the forms out for you, he’d know how questions should be answered (not too much information, more information, etc.) and then if there’s an appeal, he’d handle that, too, as he’d want you to receive an award. Bigger award, bigger piece of the pie for him. No award, no pie or maybe a flat fee.

I’ll do some checking around. Thanks @jca.

So I found a disability lawyer in town. He said to call the SS to set up a phone interview for her. He said they prefer phone interviews, actually. So that’s what we’re going to do as soon as I get all her info pulled together.

She is still waiting for disability to be approved.