Hello everyone, I'm brand new and glad I found you. I need help because I am really traumatized right now.
I've been on SSI 15 months. I'm disabled unable to work with permanent, severe spinal stenosis, PTSD, depression.
I was told I have to meet with SSA for a financial redetermination in a few weeks. I was horrified when I went online to do some research and saw that I was supposed to be claiming ANY and ALL income earned even if its gifts from family and friends. I have about 6 checks I deposited into my account, along with about 15 checks for research studies I did from home (mostly for studies/focus groups) on health problems and mental health issues. In total, since October 2017, everything totals about $3,000 I earned
I can honestly tell you I was really ill informed, thinking I only need to report a real job or inheritance.
What will happen to me now? I can't work. I'm 58, and used to be homeless. My PTSD is so bad I have passed out and have breakdowns in public (all documented from hospital) I'm literally horrified right now, afraid I'm going to lose my benefits and my apartment. I'm not a dishonest person, I'm just naive and new to all this and made a terrible mistake not reporting this income. .
Thank you for any advice, support or direction you can offer me.