Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question for those on SSI... (self.Blind)
submitted by punkischic
I have congenital glaucoma and I have been "legally" blind since birth. I have been on SSI since I was little, as my mom is a poor single mother. I'm now an adult at 28 years old with no luck in the job market. I've sent out hundreds of resumes after I graduated university last year to no avail. I've gone on many interviews and they all go very well. They seem eager to hire me but never follow through, even after I follow up. At this point, I'm worried my blindness is being used against me and I will not be able to find a full-time position.
My boyfriend and I want to move in together and eventually get married. He is finishing his undergrad and teaching credentials to become a middle school or high school math teacher. I fear that if we move in together, or specifically get married, my SSI benefits will be cut or taken away because of his income. I know that in southern California, there is no way he can afford to support us both so that little bit of income is crucial.
Can anyone with experience shed some light on this for me?
My boyfriend and I want to move in together and eventually get married. He is finishing his undergrad and teaching credentials to become a middle school or high school math teacher. I fear that if we move in together, or specifically get married, my SSI benefits will be cut or taken away because of his income. I know that in southern California, there is no way he can afford to support us both so that little bit of income is crucial.
Can anyone with experience shed some light on this for me?
Laser_Lens_4 5 points 4y ago
I'm in a very similar situation. I have glaucoma as well.
my parents received my benefits for me until I was 18, at which point I started receiving them for myself. We live in Southern California and make a little over $50,000 per year and even then my benefits were not cut until I started working. I don't know what kinds of weird maths Social Security does to calculate what they pay you out, but it is a constant headache with them sending a letter telling me that they overpaid me every couple of years. Oh and, of course, everything they do works at the speed of government.
Ymmv and the best way you're going to find out what your income will be is if you call them up. Just be prepared to wait a while for an answer.
Regarding job stuff, you should really look into opening a case with the Department of Rehabilitation. They found me work with a company that specifically hires people who are legally blind
Edit: Your blindness is most definitely being used against you in the hiring process, but good luck proving that in court. The DOR can help a lot here but if you do decide to go It Alone, don't tell the employer about your blindness if you can help it until you've actually signed papers and are officially hired. It's going to be quite a lot harder to get away with discrimination once you're on board.
my parents received my benefits for me until I was 18, at which point I started receiving them for myself. We live in Southern California and make a little over $50,000 per year and even then my benefits were not cut until I started working. I don't know what kinds of weird maths Social Security does to calculate what they pay you out, but it is a constant headache with them sending a letter telling me that they overpaid me every couple of years. Oh and, of course, everything they do works at the speed of government.
Ymmv and the best way you're going to find out what your income will be is if you call them up. Just be prepared to wait a while for an answer.
Regarding job stuff, you should really look into opening a case with the Department of Rehabilitation. They found me work with a company that specifically hires people who are legally blind
Edit: Your blindness is most definitely being used against you in the hiring process, but good luck proving that in court. The DOR can help a lot here but if you do decide to go It Alone, don't tell the employer about your blindness if you can help it until you've actually signed papers and are officially hired. It's going to be quite a lot harder to get away with discrimination once you're on board.
punkischic [OP] 2 points 4y ago
I had a case with DOR but my case worker was moved to another department, I'm assuming a job promotion, and I had such a difficulty getting in touch with my new case worker. Eventually, they closed my case and out of frustration I never bothered to contact them again. I should probably try and re-open my case, but I'm not going to lie -- I'm worried that I wasted time and money going to a 4 year to only land a minimum wage job in a career field I hate.
I suppose beggars cannot be choosers. May I ask what the process was like when they helped you get employment? Is it a field you enjoy and get fulfillment in? Thank you for your advice.
I suppose beggars cannot be choosers. May I ask what the process was like when they helped you get employment? Is it a field you enjoy and get fulfillment in? Thank you for your advice.
B-dub31 1 points 4y ago
Your SSI will be impacted and probably cut off due to your partner's income. My wife received SSI and lost her benefits due to my income. I hope you can find employment because you can earn your work credits for SSDI and then your spouse's income won’t matter if you are unable to work if your sight become worse.
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