It sounds like your major worry is just about your finances in general, how you are going to support your family. The back money just gave you a cushion for a while but also added stress about how to spend it wisely. I'm not there yet, so I don't know what kinds of feeling I would have about it... but I do think that if I was getting a large chunk of money I'd be worried about how best to use it, worried if my student loans collection agencies are going to take it, etc.

As far as how people do it- I wonder that all the time. I see couples around my age taking care of themselves AND children... and I am just always so baffled by how they afford it! It is SO HARD for my husband and I to get by when it's just the two of us. I don't know how people do it with children in the picture. Even if they can work, it's such a huge expense, I don't know how anyone affords it. So yeah, you have a major burden- having children and being on such a limited income. What I have noticed though is that despite how complicated it seems to me, these families always seem to make it work somehow- even on very limited incomes.

Lonely, I realized that I don't know your story. We talk so much on here about social security, but I don't really know much else about most of you. I'd really love to hear everyone else's stories- how you became disabled, what your disability is, what is your living situation like- spouse, kids, etc, what did you do before you were disabled, and so on? I'd just be really interested in hearing a little more about what each of you have been through and what your lives are like. It always helps me to hear what other people are going through- I think you can always get some gratitude when you hear other people's problems... even if if you have many of your own, you inevitably hear something from the other person that you are glad to not be dealing with. For example, I am miserable with my back and all that I have lost, but I can't imagine having the added responsibility of having to care for a family, for children who expect you to be able to provide for them... that has to be a huge weight on your shoulders. Are you married? How old are your children?

Well, I think I am going to create a new topic with this idea about sharing our stories to make sure everyone sees it.

Thanks for your response i will check out your posts and answer as soon as I have more time.Take Care.

Lonely...maybe you can get a work at home job as a call center agent. I would check into it if I were you. You can make about $900 a month while drawing SSDI. It could help bridge the gap for you and the hours are flexible if you are not an employee of the company but an independent contractor...so you can work when your condition allows and take off days when you cannot without the hassles of being fired. I used to do it and if you put your best into it, you can make pretty decent money...plus you can claim your business expenses on your taxes...and get an earned income tax credit for the kids that are at home.

Fee Fee, I have thought about looking for something very part time but I was also worried that when ssd looks at my case again in two to three years that if I am working even a little that they would think my condition has changed and take my money away from me.I am just falling apart and crying everyday.I want my life BACK. I dont want to be disabled , I have four kids to take care off and ssd is not enough. The back money is dwindling fast ,my husband is pissing it away and I still dont have a good vehicle or a decent frig that the door isnt falling off.Among many many other issues and my kids want, want ,want... I am seeing a counselor because I feel like such a failure not working ,he keeps telling me maybe someday..Well, my condition has been the same and getting worse over the past five years so I dont see that happening.I guess if I would have died in my car accident the family still would have had my social security and I wouldnt be sitting here like a lump of shit.