# Does depression qualify for any sort of disability/unemployment support? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2014, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746 "2014-12-09T08:41:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746/21 "2014-12-12T16:52:57Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Hmm… thank you all for the information. I really appreciate it. > > I guess I’m not disabled enough. I can work, just haphazardly, and it’s more temporary unemployment help that I was hoping for, not lifelong welfare. > > Oh well. It was worth a shot. I just have to work harder, I suppose, keeping in mind that billions of people are much worse off than me and still manage to eke out an existence. > > Thank you. The requirement is to have a listed disability, impairment (s), that keep you from engaging in “Substantial gainful employment” and your condition will or be expected to last 1 year or more and or be expected to result in death. The SG amount for 2014 is $1070.00 a month, for 2015, $1090.00 a month. You can work while applying as long as it is below the SGA, but being close to it creates problems. $770.00 a month is their “Services Level”, it is almost like not working at all. Consult an Attorney/firm that specializes in SSD law, etc. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746/22 "2014-12-12T16:57:30Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Oh well. It was worth a shot. I just have to work harder, I suppose, keeping in mind that billions of people are much worse off than me and still manage to eke out an existence. > > Thank you. While you look into your other options, this is a very good attitude to have. You seem like a decent guy and I hope things work out for you. If I may be so bold, try to prioritize time for something that you enjoy doing that makes you feel good about yourself. Maybe you might like to write, play or listen to music, create art, read books, cook, explore, spend time with animals, etc. Best wishes! ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746/24 "2014-12-12T17:02:32Z")
> [@lawbuff](#): > > If I am not mistaken, in 2 years one is eligible, not automatically. Correct. IIRC, before that, you should be able to get Medicaid. (At least that’s my understanding of the process, but I worked for Medicare, not Medicaid.) > [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](#): > > Try meditation or mindfulness practices. Mindfulness and acceptance can help with a lot of chronic conditions. You have to get into the mindset that, yes, you have this condition, and accept that. Then you have to tell yourself that yes, you can get up, you can have happy times (notice I didn’t say “can be happy”) with friends/family, you can go to work and do well enough. You don’t have to be HappyFunGuy 100%, but you can live your life. It will feel weird and fake at times, but it does help. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746/25 "2014-12-12T17:03:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > While you look into your other options, this is a very good attitude to have. You seem like a decent guy and I hope things work out for you. > > If I may be so bold, try to prioritize time for something that you enjoy doing that makes you feel good about yourself. Maybe you might like to write, play or listen to music, create art, read books, cook, explore, spend time with animals, etc. > > Best wishes! Apologies if any of this was insensitive, or if it sounds like I was treating depression like a minor thing to be overcome. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746/26 "2014-12-12T18:32:49Z")
> [@MojoSoDope](#): > > You could also try just not being sad And you can try not violating the guiding principal of the SDMB: “Don’t be a jerk”. You’re new here, so some leeway will be given. If you’re only here to drop pot-stirring comments like this, it’ll be a short stay. ## No warning issued this time. **Hal Briston** – IMHO Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-depression-qualify-for-any-sort-of-disability-unemployment-support/706746.md?page=1)