So sorry for the loss of your parent. It's tough having to quit your job and be a single parent. I lost my business and income around 2009. All I can say is have faith in the universe, your God, or whatever your belief system you rely on.

Everything is one day at a time (with the 200-pound fibro backpack).
Don't forget about food stamps at some point. This really saved me. Talk to people, friends etc. Anxiety and depression can be your worst enemy. Just do the best you can do with whatever you have. Sometimes we must be creative in life. Look outside the box when needed and if there is no box, find one.
Best wishes to you!

Godstrength thank you for your reply. It is comforting to know eventually things will even out. How long did your depression last? I am looking for another type of work, the care taking just brings on all the memories of dad. I just need a change. Thanks again for responding. Gentle hugs. Julie

ItsJustMe, I am very confused about the differences and SSI and SSDI. I have looked at the website and it just does not make sense to me. I will try to sit down and look at the information you gave me maybe that will help tomorrow. Thank you for the information and thank you for trying to help gentle hugs Julie

Sprawling, thank you 4 your response. I need to look into food stamps that I know I'm .99% sure I will qualify. That will help immensely that will have to be done on Monday thank you for the reminder and I hope you have a good rest of your weekend. Gentle hugs Julie

I remember in 2010 making the decision to finally leave my perfectly good job with benefits, including health ins. that I simply couldn't do anymore. The emotional toll for me was huge. My counselor had been gently pushing me that way for more than a year.

The following couple years were very stressful. I questioned myself constantly. I was accepted by dissability in 2015 finally. They did backdate and that helped.

I don't have a lot of advice, looks like you already have gotten quite a bit of good advice. But I do relate to the uncertainty and fears for the future.

I hope you can find peace.

If someone has paid into social security for at keast the past 10 yrs and has enough work credits, they are eligible for SSDI. With SSDI you receive about half of what you were making in monthly benefits, if approved. For the purposes of SSDI, work credits begin to expire when you stop working.

SSI is for those that don't have enough work credits or their monthly benefits of SSDI are less than $753 a month. SSI is based on income and resources as well as disability.

Grief process is different for everyone but my depression began probably 3 months after my mother's death. It took me a month to realize I was sinking into something I couldn't pull myself out of. I went to a group grief support which helped alot and started on anti-depression med's and I think I was back on the upswing after a few months. The first year is always the hardest. I did not need to stay on the meds forever.

ItsJustMe, that is a great explanation of SSI and SSDI, thank you. If you don't get one, are you guaranteed the other? Julie

Godstrength, thanks for sharing, it helps to know that I am not going to feel like this forever. Julie