How do I navigate Social Security to qualify for Medicaid, SSI and disability for mental health services? How do I find an advocate to guide me through the walls of paperwork and decisions? Sub-question: what are current mental health institutions like for in-patient treatment? [more inside]
posted by loquacious on Nov 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Does social security have to notify BF if his check is being withheld? [more inside]
posted by LaurieC on Nov 3, 2009 - 1 answer

Does my boyfriend qualify for veterans benefits? [more inside]
posted by lwclec072 on Oct 28, 2009 - 14 answers

I have fibromyalgia. Help me figure out how to be a better student/employee. What accommodations/techniques work for you? I have doctors, so more looking for 'this worked for me/my mom/my friend' than anything medical. [more inside]
posted by eleanna on Oct 21, 2009 - 8 answers

Does anyone have experience with someone who is 21 applying for permanent disability benefits? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 14, 2009 - 13 answers

We struggling to keep our over-18 child covered under our health insurance. She has a four year history of mental health struggles. She has been able to more or less stay in school as a full-time student but we aren't sure she can keep it up. The two strategies seemed to be to get the school to give her full-time status with a partial load due to disability or to convince the insurance company that she is not capable of "self-sustaining employment" Anyone have any experience with either route? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 26, 2009 - 16 answers

How do I get my life on track with high debt and a chronic medical condition? [more inside]
posted by thegreatcokeolympics on Sep 19, 2009 - 9 answers

What are the best strategies for my current work situation? Question relates to disability, unemployment, and illegal activities (not mine). [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 14, 2009 - 17 answers

A friend is teaching a "Multicultural Education and Identity" class in a high-school setting, and asked me for advice, so I'm asking you, hive. I would like a broad spectrum of anti-discrimination educational resources and materials, for ages 12-adult. Interested particularly in racism, classism, able-ism, and privilege. [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus on Sep 4, 2009 - 11 answers

Is there anyone in the New York Ciity area I could speak to about applying for social security disability - not necessarily a lawyer, but someone who is famliar with the process, knows what makes the best case, what is useful, what is irrelevant, etc.
posted by klpage on Aug 18, 2009 - 5 answers

Wheelchair-friendly dentist in the Washington DC area (Montgomery County MD if possible)? [more inside]
posted by LobsterMitten on Jul 23, 2009 - 4 answers

What are my options for an six week absence from work for surgery with my employer? Is Aflac what I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 22, 2009 - 8 answers

How do I appeal a long term disability claim that's been denied? [more inside]
posted by hollygoheavy on Jun 16, 2009 - 11 answers

My condition has slowly stopped me using the keyboard and mouse, and now the pen. I need some help thinking of ways to finish my PhD and to live somewhat of a normal life. Hive mind, what can shiny technology do for me? [more inside]
posted by Augenblick on Jun 10, 2009 - 7 answers

(Philadelphia) Pennsylvania filter: Tell me everything available to a poor disabled person in this state. [more inside]
posted by Danila on Jun 8, 2009 - 9 answers

What are some easy computer games my stepdad can play? He had a stroke a few years ago, and that has seriously limited what kind of games he can manage. He sits at home all day and plays non-stop Solitaire and FreeCell. I figure there's got to be some better options for him. [more inside]
posted by spockette on Jun 2, 2009 - 28 answers

What should I do about employment options? Sick & old but not sick OR old *Enough* 56 yr old woman who has signed a non-compete contract, in the same industry for 29 years and has been told I'm on probation for 90 days. Took short-term disability to rest and secure my position but thus far was denied, no money coming in. No retirement money, no other way to make money...more below [more inside]
posted by ~Sushma~ on Apr 27, 2009 - 16 answers

This long-time PC user is thinking about getting an iMac and needs advice from current iMac owners. [more inside]
posted by wintermute2_0 on Apr 11, 2009 - 16 answers

Fired for misconduct (threats of violence) related to disability. Is there any recourse? [more inside]
posted by Danila on Apr 1, 2009 - 16 answers

How does disability insurance work for a freelancer? [more inside]
posted by thebestsophist on Mar 22, 2009 - 6 answers

I may have breast cancer. I do not have health insurance. What now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 16, 2009 - 13 answers

San Francisco Bay Area Filter: Help me re-learn how to drive! [more inside]
posted by mingodingo on Mar 9, 2009 - 1 answer

I am a 28 yr old female who technically has never had a date--least of all a romantic relationship. Perhaps a few others can attest to the same situation, but I've been feeling over the past couple of years that the real reason is due to my physical disability. My condition causes me to use an electric wheelchair. Personally, I regard myself as highly attractive: nice figure, beautiful hair and face yet men rarely approach me both in person or on the two online dating sites I've tried. I have various theories on why this is so, but I'd love to hear from the male point of view. Putting my feelings aside, what really gives?
posted by arizona80 on Mar 7, 2009 - 35 answers

I need advice on visiting Manhattan with a mobility-limited traveling companion. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 27, 2009 - 14 answers

Question about being declared disabled but not receiving SSI benefits. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 28, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm losing the use of one of my fingers. But what I'll miss most is the touch typing. How to relearn it? [more inside]
posted by Jeanne on Dec 10, 2008 - 20 answers

Does anyone know of a voice dial service (like GOOG-411) that works in the US for residential as well as business numbers, on landline phones? It's for a blind person with limited mobility, so the service needs to actually place the call for the user, and not require any dialing or button-pushing beyond the initial call.
posted by blatherbob on Nov 24, 2008 - 9 answers

I have a friend who uses a wheelchair and I'd like to help make her winter commute safer by allowing her to call for help easily. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp on Nov 21, 2008 - 9 answers

What are some interesting "activities" I could use to enliven a graduate level class discussion about disability issues? Or general suggestions to enliven a graduate level class where a partner and I have to lead the discussion on this topic... [more inside]
posted by chr1sb0y on Nov 16, 2008 - 17 answers

What are the options for an adult who's intellectually mostly-normal but who needs a structured supportive program and training in life skills? Bit of a long story inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 8, 2008 - 20 answers

A dear friend of mine is morbidly obese. He has a variety of medical issues which are mostly being addressed. He has several related issues that are not - mostly hygiene related. Help me help him. (possible squick inside). [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 on Oct 26, 2008 - 12 answers

I need extended rehab for alcohol. How do I approach HR without losing my job? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 25, 2008 - 9 answers

How can I help my sister find housing and transportation in a new town in Texas? My sister and her husband (who both have disabilities) and their small children are considering moving to a town population over 100,000. Which is a big change from the town the were living in (population about 500.) Who can I call to find resources for them? [more inside]
posted by Snoogylips on Jul 2, 2008 - 7 answers

What can an unemployed quadriplegic do to supplement his income? [more inside]
posted by levijk on Jun 20, 2008 - 15 answers

Will accepting a disability insurance policy with pre-existing condition exclusions negatively impact my ability to get a policy without them later or have other negative effects? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 21, 2008 - 2 answers

Adult diagnosis of a learning disability and where to go from here [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 15, 2008 - 7 answers

Asking for future-MIL: She works a part-time (25-30hrs/wk) job in Florida, diagnosed with breast cancer, had to undergo surgery and needed time off work, but she was under the impression that she had short term disability, had mastectomy and must be off work for six weeks, tries to file for short term disability and come to find out, no short term disability. What can she do? [more inside]
posted by banannafish on May 13, 2008 - 8 answers

I missed a Cobra Payment and they terminated me. How can I appeal their decision? [more inside]
posted by TigerCrane on Apr 18, 2008 - 4 answers

Anyone have any experience with assistive devices in education? [more inside]
posted by marylynn on Mar 26, 2008 - 4 answers

Does a felony conviction affect eligibility for Social Security disability? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 8, 2008 - 9 answers

My brother has a longtime friend who has a degenerative neurological condition that will ultimately be fatal. This friend is approaching 30 and still a virgin, and he wants to hire someone to help him experience that part of life. He has asked my brother for help (which he will need in order to make this happen) - what should he/can he do without running afoul of the law? [more inside]
posted by man on the run on Jan 28, 2008 - 32 answers

My assistive mobility device broke. I called into work. Now I've been fired. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 4, 2007 - 22 answers

Help me name a program for children with developmentally disabled parents. [more inside]
posted by Mr_Crazyhorse on Dec 2, 2007 - 17 answers

I was diagnosed with cancer, treated and pwned it and am now job-hunting. With one-half inch of solid gray hair on my head. Should I suck it up and plop on a wig? [more inside]
posted by Rosie M. Banks on Nov 28, 2007 - 33 answers

Does it sound like adult ADD? Resources? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Oct 17, 2007 - 9 answers

Do I have to quit my job to qualify for disability? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 8, 2007 - 8 answers

Does anyone have any advice on which of the Veterans Service Oranizations are best for assisting somebody in filing a VA disability claim?
posted by Irontom on Sep 21, 2007 - 2 answers

Tell me about disability insurance. I am self employed, 31 and would like to protect my income in the event of a disability. What are some pitfalls in the language of contracts that I need to look out for? Is disability insurance as important or more important than health insurance?
posted by __ on Jul 20, 2007 - 6 answers

My wife has been too sick to work for the past five years because she has Cushing's Disease. Her parents own a small business, and my wife has been "working" for them to get health insurance coverage. We'd like for my wife to collect disability, but I don't know if it would be possible to keep her current insurance coverage and collect disability at the same time. Help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 9, 2007 - 6 answers

I'm soon to be 22, and I've never had a relationship... I seem to very consistently turn all my dates and potential girlfriends into girl friends and my therapist, family and friends seem to be running out of ideas. Any suggestions? Of course, complications and some potentially funny stories inside. [more inside]
posted by StrikeTheViol on Jul 7, 2007 - 43 answers