Sick of having to rely on benefits

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OK, I'm almost 38 and the only successful occupation I've had is "welfare recipient". I get ~$950/mo, which doesn't keep up with inflation. I've tried holding down a job, I've tried running my own businesses, which left me with massive debt that bankruptcy didn't wipe out and that I have to pay, and the payments take up 2/3 of my check. I'm so disabled I actually got my student loan from my computer repairman training dismissed, which is extremely unusual. I simply have no options, I live at home and while it's not as bad as it was when I was a kid, it still feels confining. (I realize that with some of the problems others on this forum have with their folks, "confining" isn't so bad, but I'd still like a place of my own.) I live in California which is extremely expensive, and getting more so, and I'd like to move to another state but can't as long as I'm paying this debt. I am just stuck here, and I'd like to put in some preparedness measures but my mom won't let me, she can't stand the thought of killing so no chickens, and no garden. My mom dismisses my worries about a financial collapse as "me being melodramatic again", and she refuses to look at the evidence. I'm just frustrated that despite my best efforts I wound up with nothing except debt.

Hmm sounds like the best plan is to try and get a place of your own....but if you can't afford it that can be difficult. It does not seem fair that you're on disability and all your disability money goes to paying debt. Have you tried working any of that out to maybe have lesser payments for instance. I mean I only have college loans and they have some options if you don't have the money to pay the debt......I mean the idea of disability is to live on it, not spend it all on debts acquired due to being unable to function because of your disability. So maybe there are options, but it can be stressful and annoying trying to figure out that crap and figuring out who to call, who to talk to and what to even say.

Or if you have any friends or family you are close with, have you thought of maybe splitting rent with someone else and moving out that way? I mean it wouldn't be the same as your own place but at least it wouldn't be at home with your parents. I am staying at my moms house and its not working because I and her boyfriend cannot get along in any way. But my mom
'loves him and wants to be with him' so I guess I gotta go, working on that but right now i have no income and am hoping to get SSI.

Well, you see, the debt I have to pay on is in my mom's name, and I can't get it wiped out. My mom doesn't need to file bankruptcy, which is the only way to get it wiped out. I filed bankruptcy in 2010, which wiped out the rest of my debts, but not this one. My mom can't pay the minimum payments on this debt and pay her mortgage and credit cards too, so I have to pay it. The minimum payments are actually only about a third of my check, but I'm paying extra so I can get it wiped out before 2015, which is the end date (seven year loan, taken out in 2008), so I hope to get it taken care of by September of next year. And then I will start saving up for a place in Oregon. I also owe my mom several hundred dollars extra for various items. I only have $300 to live on, $80 of which goes to gas for my car. So basically I have something like $210 for all my expenses.

For what it is worth, I wouldn't just assume that working will make anyone lose all their benefits or worsen their financial situation. There are a lot of states that have programs where they will allow workers with disabilities to continue to keep their Medical Assistance while working, for example. (And, as someone with crappy private insurance who has paid much more in out-of-pocket medical expenses over the last few months than I have in rent, I can say that allowing someone to have free access to healthcare is huge).

So, everyone's situation is unique, but I think it's always good to do as much research as possible, weight all of your options and make an informed decision before ruling out trying to work.

OP, have you tried working with agencies like your state's Office of Vocational Rehab or some other nonprofit social services agency that could provide a job coach or help with job-seeking? A lot of people with AS have bad experiences with employment, but a lot of the time, that doesn't mean that they aren't capable of working and have just as much to contribute as any NT. It just means they haven't gotten the right types of supports in the past.

Sorry, I did not happen to see your previous posts. I briefly attempted working with OVR myself a few years ago when I was looking at an impending lay-off and had a really bad experience, too. I've also had people tell me about great experiences they've had, though. It seems like those services vary a lot based upon geographical region and maybe just sheer luck in terms of which voc counselor you get, unfortunately.

Speaking of which, I work for a nonprofit disability service provider in my area and really wish you lived closer so I could try to do more than just sympathize. I'd be happy to try offering advice, except that, since services vary by state/locale, I'm not sure how helpful it would be.

I also HATE being on benefits, which is why I am going to school.
Like Pezar, I too was first place through the Developmental Disability system here in Rhode Island, which mostly provides programs for more lower functioning individuals. The program I was in was an Autism program, but it provided me no hope and lots of depression anxiety and self-esteem issues. Then in 2009, I fought my way out and went to my Community College and just received my Associate's degree back in May 2012. Now, I am using my degree to complete a Cancer Registry online progarm (which required the Associate's) and I am loving it.
I also went through another state agency, called the Office of Rehabilitation (ORS), and they do the opposite of what the Developmental disability department does. They are helping me pay for shcool and wil help me find a full-time job that provides real benefits, so that I can get off the system. I am even planning on moving to Florida and my ORS worker is helping with that, as well. Right now I get SSI and SSDI and it is helping me with paying for living expenses while I am in school. But, you are right, it is not really good money to live on, especially the way inflation and prices are. Even the COLA increases are a joke. Even if I work, I may pay taxes, but at least I will have more take home pay. Plus, I have a physical disability that prevents me from driving and also am great at saving, so I will have more "fun" money. I wish you good lcukw ith everything.