Disability benefits in US, Canada, Europe, etc.

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Where are the best places in the world to have Asperger's or a similar disability and related problems such as depression, anxiety, etc.?

Here in the US, the richest country in the history of the world, billionaires pay only 15% income tax, and pay millions of dollars in legal bribes to corrupt politicians to keep their taxes low and further cut already skimpy social services to the poor, elderly, and disabled (because they're so concerned about the national debt, you see). On the other hand, we have "homeless" people dying in the streets of every major city. I have to think many of these unfortunate people are suffering from Asperger's or similar disorders. I fear I may end up one of them. It's only family that's kept me from doing so this long, but now both parents are dead, and I'm wearing out my welcome with the last person who gives a damn about me.

In the US it's extremely difficult to qualify for disability benefits (SSI or SSD), especially for people with Asperger's, and if you do, they pay next to nothing - $674/month in most states. Honestly... that's enough for food and a tent to live (and die) in. Plus, even if you qualify, they apparently keep wanting to take it away... always calling you in for re-evaluation every couple of years or so. At least this is my understanding.

I hear it's even worse in Britain, but considerably better in Canada and some other countries. I would love to hear the specifics of Canada, and how it compares to the US system. Is it easier to qualify for disability benefits if you have Asperger's or a similar disorder? How much are the benefits? Do they vary by province? Which provinces provide the most support to people suffering from Asperger's?

What about other countries? Sweden? Norway? Netherlands? Australia? New Zealand? How difficult is it to qualify, and how much are benefits per month?

Also, which states in the US are best? I understand state and local social programs such as subsidized housing, medical care, etc. vary greatly depending on the state (and sometimes city?). I only have a hunch, but perhaps Massachusetts, Minnesota and Oregon are some of the best? Anyone know?

I contemplated going on disability briefly last month, so I had a look at Australia's system to check out eligibility and benefits.

To get onto the disability support pension, you need to be over 16, and not be able to work 15 hours or more/week for the next two years due to your condition, and they make you do a job capacity assessment to see your functioning. The maximum payment for a single person is $644.20/fortnight ($1288.40/month). You also get a concession card so meds are cheaper, and you can get rent assistance and I believe there's also job rehabilitation programs.

Someone with more experience in the system might know more or elaborate on the process.

I didn't go on disability because I figured that my treatment team wouldn't endorse my claim, so I went out and got a job instead. I recently chatted with my therapist about this and she confirmed my belief,, because she didn't think I would be incapacitated for long enough.

I live in Sweden. I can't comment on adult disability benefits as it is my daughter who has Asperger's. What I can comment on is the whole package she/we get.

On top of the child benefit (1050 kr per month) paid to all parents I get a further 7000 kr per month to cover the extra care I have to give her. This isn't means tested so is on top of any salary.

She has her own physiotherapist, doctor, occupational therapist, counsellor, psychologist and special needs school advisor, which is all free of charge.

Any material things she needs because of her disability is provided free of charge. She got a special mobile phone recently with planning software on it aimed at people with cognitive functions (cost 16000 kr)

When she is 18 she will be provided with suitable living accomodation plus support so that she can live independently is she chooses. She will also be provided with and advocat who will take care of her finances and stuff for her and be her representative in everything she needs help with.

When she is 18 she will get special employment support from the unemployment service. The government has partner companies who get tax incentives to take on young people with Asperger's.

That's all I know so far.

Apparently the social security rates in the UK are relatively low but OK. Sorry I'm not up to finding statistics. The figure above is slightly misleading as we also get money seperately to pay our rent and local taxes. But if you live in a higher rent area this may not cover the full amount.

But we are obviously really lucky in this country as the wefare state provides basic support and care for everybody so people rarely die from poverty or neglect except for homeless people as you've mentioned.

For children and teenagers, early intervention programmes had a boost after Professor Patrick McGorry was chosen as Australian of the Year 2010

http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/r ... gorry-2010

He is a specialist and advisor for youth mental health reforms internationally.

Adult help is getting less accessible and unreliable.

Just the other month I had to call the NSW Mental Health Hotline for help and they advised someone would call back within 12-24 hrs. No-one ever called.

However, mental health is bulk billed with a referal from your GP. GP's also bulk bill. Works out about $15-$20 AUD each consultation or session.

Help is also available from graduate tertiary students with mentoring from professionals for $5-$15AUD.

I'm on government unemployment (Centrelink) benefits because I cannot hold down a job, I'm very un-employable. But I am studying. Last week Centrelink invited me to a meeting to assess my capacity to work and find work and as a result they have asked me to apply for a disability pension. I need my GP to fill out a form and then I need to follow up with treatment. Centrelink have voluntarily put me on minimum activity for 6 months giving me time to get professional help without any added stress with the option to re-assess for a futher 2 years.

As I understand it, the disabilty pension will be approx $440 AUD plus a bit of rental assistance per fortnight. Discount pharmaceuticals, free hospital care and emergency assistance and discounts on some public transport.

People on a pension due to mental health are often allowed to do voluntary activities, ie, get a casual job (income must be declared), volunteer for a non-profit, study, etc.

Yes that is correct we do get additional benefits on top of the amount I stated.

I'm also lucky to have a council flat which is public housing owned by the local authority. If you are a good tenant then you have it for life which takes away the insecurity and stress of renting privately. But demand outstrips supply.

I have no support of a practical nature though.

I just got United States SSI benefits, first try, in three months after applying. People think I'm lying. From what I hear, it is very hard to get. I am mentally ill though, so that I am sure helped.

I read this one site that said there were four areas they look at, this is for mental illness, but I sure it applies to here. For Axis 1 disorders, you need to prove two areas of problems, for Axis 2, three areas out of these four below:

http://www.marthachurchill.com/ssmibasic.htm

I got disability but not just because I have aspergers'. I also have what turned out to be chronic lyme disease but what we thought at the time was fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue.

In British Columbia disability is about 850 a month, 325 of which is "shelter" portion. (never mind you really can't rent ANYTHING for 325). They'll pay for medications too (though some are not covered).