Hey guys, I’m a 20M, and I could really use some advice.

I was diagnosed with FSGS in 2022 when I was 16 and got approved for disability around that time. Before my health got worse, I was working all the time. Then, in June of last year, I had to start dialysis at 19.

I live on my own in Texas, and my disability check is $994 a month. My rent is $1,000, so I literally can’t even cover that without borrowing money. I have to borrow money for food, my phone bill, and pretty much everything else.

I’ve been in my apartment for four months, and I still barely have anything for it. Some days, I go hungry because I can’t afford food. I can’t afford haircuts, new clothes, or even a car. Honestly, it’s depressing. I’m only 20, and I feel like I’m barely surviving instead of actually living.

I’ve been picking up shifts at my local expo center here and there, usually 1–2 shifts every other week. The shifts are 10+ hours long, and surprisingly, I’ve been handling them pretty well despite being on dialysis.

For the most part, dialysis doesn’t make me feel too bad unless I have a lot of extra fluid on me and they have to take a lot off during one session. I feel like being young and not having other major health issues might work in my favor when it comes to working.

I talked to my mom about getting a full-time job, but she doesn't recommend it. I understand where she’s coming from, but at the same time, I can’t keep living like this. I want to be able to afford groceries without worrying about whether I’ll have enough money left for other bills. I want to buy a car, furnish my apartment, get haircuts, buy clothes, and just enjoy being 20.

I don't want to depend on disability forever if there's a way for me to work and support myself, but I'm also worried about losing my benefits and health insurance since dialysis is something I have to do to survive.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

I’m not trying to do anything reckless with my health. I just want a chance to live a normal life instead of struggling to afford the bare minimum every month.

Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated.

applied for SSDI in December 2025 and have been waiting over 10 months for an initial determination.
My claim was transferred to Arkansas DDS because they’re helping Texas with its backlog. An examiner was assigned October 1.
I called Arkansas DDS today (October 19) to get an update, and the representative told me my examiner, “has not had a chance to do anything on your case just yet.”
She also said the examiner works in a unit that “gets the case started” and that afterward I’ll be assigned a different examiner.
I’m confused about what this means. Why is my claim assigned to an examiner who apparently just gets it started before passing it to another examiner? Is this a normal DDS process?
My attorney submitted a dire-need request on October 15 because we’re experiencing serious financial hardship and are at risk of losing our home. The representative confirmed the request is showing in their system, but couldn’t tell me whether anyone has acted on it.
I have extensive psychiatric treatment records, over 130 therapy sessions from the past year, and completed function reports from myself and two family members. As far as I know, all requested evidence has been submitted.
The representative said the examiner would hopefully call me back within 24 hours.
My questions:
● Has anyone experienced this two-examiner process? What does the first examiner actually do?
● Can a dire-need request help move a claim that’s assigned but hasn’t been worked on?
● Is it worth asking for a DDS supervisor to review the dire-need request?
● Once the claim reaches the second examiner, does the review essentially start from scratch?
I’m incredibly frustrated. I thought getting an examiner assigned meant my claim was finally moving.

Just spoke w/ a SSA rep about my retirement benefits application. Apparently the SSA has me listed as a citizen born in NYC, which is NOT the case. I received my SS card almost 40 years ago in NYC, and am a green card holder. I've made an appointment to go in and get this straightened out and then can apply for my benefits but am a bit nervous because of the current political atmosphere. I honestly cannot remember if I put any wrong info on the original forms and have never had this issue come up before in any form whatsoever. Anyone ever face this type situation where records needed updating to receive benefits? Thanks in advance.

File was sent to Federal review and I was denied. There are no words for the amount of sadness I feel right now. Literally sick to my stomach! Last option is to go to a Judge. My lawyer and everyone I have talked to, have said I have a strong case. My Cath from 3 weeks ago showed LBBB and Microcardiovascular spasms in real time. What do I do??? My bills are way behind. Risking losing my car, my house, and everything I worked so hard to build my entire life. Worked 2-3 jobs, raised my kids, and now this? I need help!

I am diagnosed with schizophrenia and got approved for both SSI and SSDI after my first attempt applying. It took a year to get approved since I first started the process through CBEST. I was convinced I wasn’t going to get approved because I was being lazy and didn’t get my hospital records or my psych ward and rehab records. I simply completed all paperwork and had multiple phone interviews and an in person interview. I am getting dual benefits. I’m receiving both SSDI and SSI. I just received my first SSI payment for $3,701.82. I believe that’s a lump sum which would mean that I’ll be getting $308.49 SSI a month because my backpay is 12 months. SSDI I’ll be receiving starting October 21st.

The issue I’m having is on SSI you’re not allowed to have more than $2,000 of assets and I already have over $5,000 in my checking account. They allegedly give you nine months to spend down your backpay but I can’t imagine I’ll be spending that much. I currently don’t have to pay rent and I have no real bills. So I’m going to be accumulating all this money. Especially when I get around $13,000 of SSDI backpay. What should I do with all this excess money? Just pull out cash from the bank account and keep it hidden in my underwear drawer at home? Any suggestions?

Also I can answer anyone’s questions if you’re trying to get benefits yourself. I can give you tips. I did not use a lawyer but had a case worker helping me.

Hi. I have received SSDI since 2021. I’ve received a “disability update report” demand from SSA, asking me to document my medical visits, hospitalizations, and “remarks” from Oct 2024 until now.

I am incredibly medically complex and see a lot of doctors. And they’re scattered across 3 different medical systems so my records are not centralized. Does anyone know how detailed you’re supposed to be with this?

I’ve had countless doctor appts in the last 2 years. My primary disability is a traumatic brain injury and compiling all of this information is a nightmarish thought.

How do you go about this?

Currently on Step 3, and I received this letter along with my representative. I let them know that I received it, and what I could do to help get things together so we could get the medical evidence in, and all relevant evidence is up to date and case ready to be scheduled. I also asked them about the last paragraph, so the local office could review the case to see if an on the record decision. They advised me that that's not the way its handled in my office, and they would begin working on things, but could not provide me the list of exhibits in the file, and that an OTR decision could not be requested until a judge was assigned. They also stated that it was their discretion whether or not to even request an OTR decision, and they haven't decided on that yet.

Am I wrong thinking their communication is completely wrong? The letter below was from our specific Hearing Office Director and mailed from our OHO. I sincerely doubt that they would send this if this is not how they handle things.

---------------------------------------------

Proposed exhibits in the above referenced file are now ready for your review. Please log into www.ssa.gov/ar/ to view the proposed exhibits which are shown in the exhibit list tab. Further processing of this case requires the following actions on your part:

1.

It is the claimant's responsibility to provide medical evidence showing that he/she has an impairment(s) and how severe it is during the time he or she alleges disability. In order to expedite processing of this claim, you should submit the following information:

a.

All medical records (not duplicates) from one year prior to the alleged onset date to the present and any other relevant medical, school or other records not already in file.

b.

Completed enclosed questionnaire(s), and signed Authorization to Disclose Information (enclosed).

2.

Advise us when all relevant evidence is up-to-date and the case is ready to be scheduled.

Please submit all evidence using one of the three electronic methods:

As soon as you submit the foregoing, we will review your case to determine if we can make a fully favorable decision without holding a hearing. If we cannot make a decision on the record, we will schedule your case for hearing. Therefore, it is to your advantage to submit your evidence as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the number listed above.

Sincerely,

xxxx

Hearing Office Director

Just received one 2 weeks ago and sent it back. It's my first cdr ... Curious on how long it took yours ?

I'm starting my appeal and they ask for a contact person who knows about my medical conditions. I double-checked to see who I listed on my initial application, and I used my dad. But I'm now thinking I don't want to use either him or my mom because 1) I don't often tell them when things are bad, and 2) they're both dealing with pretty bad memory issues these days. So with either/both of those factors I'd hate for them to accidentally describe me as doing much better than I'm actually doing.

The only other person I can think of to use would be my best friend. But we now live in different states, and mostly only interact on the phone. So I'm not sure if she'd be able to answer the kinds of questions they'd ask.

I see there's also an option to say I don't have a contact person. But I'm not sure if checking that box would be worse than listing an unideal person.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

I've been applying for a few years for SSI using a diagnosis of Major Depression with psychosis and PTSD as my primary disabilities. Recently I got denied at the ALJ level for the 3rd time. I've also recently had my diagnoses updated to bipolar I disorder, PTSD, and schizo-affective disorder bipolar type. I want to know if my chances are better to keep appealing the existing claim with new information (if possible), or if I'd be better served to reapply using my 5 inpatient stays/ 22 days of inpatient last month as my new starting date. Or can I do both simultaneously? I know it's a matter of opinion most likely but I wanted to ask people who knew more about this process then I do.