Getting a job...?

J

JennifersHope

New member
First of all these are just thoughts, and I am not telling you what to do. I know Julie on here was able to get SSDI for her husband, even though he didn't qualify for one specific thing in the requirements for CF.
<br />You will not get SSDI because you don't have a work history, period, YOu have to work and it takes quite a bit of time to get the income level up to where you can actually live off of it.
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<br />SSI is based on your income not on the hours you have worked, it is more of a welfare type thing, either way, what I would suggest is getting a lawyer, you will be denied the first and second time, I am sure. Then you get a court date, and you can present to the judge all the factors in your case, not just your CF but that you have CF plus all the other diseases and that is why you can not work. Usually once a case makes it before a judge, and they can see the evidence they will grant you SSI. Also, if you have CF even with normal functions, you still should be seen in clinic every three months to make sure everything stays good, which will help add to your case because you need six interventions a year to qualify one of the ways.
<br />I believe but am not 100 percent sure that you can apply for SSI which is the welfare one even if you are not approved for disability yet. You have to check with your local welfare office.
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<br />As far as working, obviously if you want to go that route, you need to find a job that you won't be standing on your feet all day. Maybe a desk job of some sort.
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<br />Kristen has her Masters so she is quite aware of how the financial aide works. I also am and RN and I went to school totally based on scholarships and grants, and financial aide. You can drop to part time for at least three semesters and not lose your financial aide. Also they do offer financial aide for part time students just not as much money.
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<br />If you are in college now, look for a program called EOF, which is the Educational Opportunity Fund. They can help you a great deal. It is a federal program so most likely they will have it.
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<br />Medical coding requires about eight months of school from what I understand. You can do that from home once you learn the ropes, and you can do it at your own pace. I know a lot of ppl who make great money doing that. That is an option I am going to look into myself since I am so sick right now and I am unable to work, because I am on oxygen and being a nurse, the two don't go so well together.
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<br />Good luck, Try some of the options that were presented to you.
 
J

julie

New member
You can qualify for SSI if your household income is low enough.

How often do you do sputum cultures? Do you usually culture something (at least one thing) everytime? If yes, what do they put you on for treatment? If they put you on IV or nebulized medications then you've got a great chance at getting benefits.

Feel free to contact me via email if you want to talk more about this services@dafcf.org
 
J

julie

New member
You can qualify for SSI if your household income is low enough.

How often do you do sputum cultures? Do you usually culture something (at least one thing) everytime? If yes, what do they put you on for treatment? If they put you on IV or nebulized medications then you've got a great chance at getting benefits.

Feel free to contact me via email if you want to talk more about this services@dafcf.org
 
J

julie

New member
You can qualify for SSI if your household income is low enough.
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<br />How often do you do sputum cultures? Do you usually culture something (at least one thing) everytime? If yes, what do they put you on for treatment? If they put you on IV or nebulized medications then you've got a great chance at getting benefits.
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<br />Feel free to contact me via email if you want to talk more about this services@dafcf.org
 
J

julie

New member
about the school/financial aid stuff, You absolutely can go to school only part time and get a Pell grant and if you qualify an SEOG and Opportunity grant, as well as scholarships and financial aid that might be offered through your STATE in addition to what is offered at the federal level.
 
J

julie

New member
about the school/financial aid stuff, You absolutely can go to school only part time and get a Pell grant and if you qualify an SEOG and Opportunity grant, as well as scholarships and financial aid that might be offered through your STATE in addition to what is offered at the federal level.
 
J

julie

New member
about the school/financial aid stuff, You absolutely can go to school only part time and get a Pell grant and if you qualify an SEOG and Opportunity grant, as well as scholarships and financial aid that might be offered through your STATE in addition to what is offered at the federal level.
 
N

NYCLawGirl

New member
julie is absolutely right, per usual. there are various ways to get "financial aid" (heck, there are even CF-centric organizations that give help, like the BEF), so please don't consider all of those doors closed. i'll be upfront and admit that i personally have zero experience in that area, but i know plenty of people who have gone to school part time for various reasons and have managed to get some sort of assistance, whether they have CF or not. the trick on that is to be creative and really explore your options.

back to your original question re: a job. i'm not going to speak to disability b/c, quite frankly, i'm not qualified in that arena. but i do know a little about working while sick -- i worked pretty ridic hours with an FEV1 in the transplant range, and didn't leave until i was listed. not recommending that path, necessarily, but i understand the hardships inherent in pushing yourself and needing to find the right "fit."

please talk to a SW at your clinic about possible job options. s/he might be able to set you up with vocational counseling, or you may be able to do that through your school. benefits are important when dealing with a disability, but most of the time those are going to come through full-time employment. consider things like the activity level of the job, your personal medical needs, the extent to which the company has flex time and medical leave available, what you need to do to qualify for FMLA, stuff like that. does your school have an office of disability services with counselors? many do.

good luck! i do think it's possible to work and stay healthy (obviously i don't know your particular situation), but you need to be thoughtful and informed going into the process.
 
N

NYCLawGirl

New member
julie is absolutely right, per usual. there are various ways to get "financial aid" (heck, there are even CF-centric organizations that give help, like the BEF), so please don't consider all of those doors closed. i'll be upfront and admit that i personally have zero experience in that area, but i know plenty of people who have gone to school part time for various reasons and have managed to get some sort of assistance, whether they have CF or not. the trick on that is to be creative and really explore your options.

back to your original question re: a job. i'm not going to speak to disability b/c, quite frankly, i'm not qualified in that arena. but i do know a little about working while sick -- i worked pretty ridic hours with an FEV1 in the transplant range, and didn't leave until i was listed. not recommending that path, necessarily, but i understand the hardships inherent in pushing yourself and needing to find the right "fit."

please talk to a SW at your clinic about possible job options. s/he might be able to set you up with vocational counseling, or you may be able to do that through your school. benefits are important when dealing with a disability, but most of the time those are going to come through full-time employment. consider things like the activity level of the job, your personal medical needs, the extent to which the company has flex time and medical leave available, what you need to do to qualify for FMLA, stuff like that. does your school have an office of disability services with counselors? many do.

good luck! i do think it's possible to work and stay healthy (obviously i don't know your particular situation), but you need to be thoughtful and informed going into the process.
 
N

NYCLawGirl

New member
julie is absolutely right, per usual. there are various ways to get "financial aid" (heck, there are even CF-centric organizations that give help, like the BEF), so please don't consider all of those doors closed. i'll be upfront and admit that i personally have zero experience in that area, but i know plenty of people who have gone to school part time for various reasons and have managed to get some sort of assistance, whether they have CF or not. the trick on that is to be creative and really explore your options.
<br />
<br />back to your original question re: a job. i'm not going to speak to disability b/c, quite frankly, i'm not qualified in that arena. but i do know a little about working while sick -- i worked pretty ridic hours with an FEV1 in the transplant range, and didn't leave until i was listed. not recommending that path, necessarily, but i understand the hardships inherent in pushing yourself and needing to find the right "fit."
<br />
<br />please talk to a SW at your clinic about possible job options. s/he might be able to set you up with vocational counseling, or you may be able to do that through your school. benefits are important when dealing with a disability, but most of the time those are going to come through full-time employment. consider things like the activity level of the job, your personal medical needs, the extent to which the company has flex time and medical leave available, what you need to do to qualify for FMLA, stuff like that. does your school have an office of disability services with counselors? many do.
<br />
<br />good luck! i do think it's possible to work and stay healthy (obviously i don't know your particular situation), but you need to be thoughtful and informed going into the process.
 
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