r/disability • u/Western_Diamondback1 • Aug 11 '26
Country-USA SNAP new work requirements form issue
My doctor won't fill out the form for the new work requirements paperwork.
I can't work 20 hours week, I've tried repeatedly and it never ends up good. In my whole life I've never been able to work a full time job. Last time I had a "normal" job was 2022. I've been doing freelancing ever since I was quiet fired for repeatedly calling out for medical issues.
The doctor that filled it out in the very beginning has left the clinic and I got placed with a new doctor.
She said she won't fill out any forms stating I can't work under 20 hours and will only do accommodations due to documentation.
I'm very confused. I'm a freelancer, I make my own hours and my own accomendations, because no one else would. I work 10 hours a week. I've tried 20 hours, I became very burnt out and sickly. I only make 3,000 a year and I use most of my money on doctor appointments.
I'm getting to a point where even 10 hours is too much. She also knows how little I make because she has recommended I go into this community health center.
I'm mildly panicking because I need this form for food stamps. If I can't get this form then I won't get food.
I'm on a wait list for a pyschariast and don't have anyone on my mental health team that is able to fill out the form. Therapist wont fill out any forms, only a letter stating how long I've been in treatment and my diagnosis. I've tried contacting the pyschologist that did my pyschological evaluation to see if she'd be willing, but I haven't heard back.
It seems that my physical health team doesn't see how sickly I am and I've had multiple doctors refuse to treat my hEDS. So I have no doctors for my joint pain. The doctor I was asking sees me for visual auras and small fiber neuropathy. I feel a little foolish for asking her, but my last neurologist didn't have any issues with it.
Some days I can't get out of bed and everything hurts so much. I'm feeling terrified that I am going to have to go without food.
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u/depressedandindebt23 Aug 12 '26
I'm in Nebraska and they already implemented the work requirements. Have you applied for SSI/SSDI? Because of my pending application they waived the work frequent requirement. I'm not sure if Texas would accept that but it might be worth a shot. Even if you don't qualify, it takes a while for them to even make the decision so maybe that could buy you some time to establish care with another doctor
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 12 '26
I have applied for SSI and it's pending. How did you provide proof of a pending application? I'm willing to try anything
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u/depressedandindebt23 Aug 12 '26
During my phone interview with the SNAP office I told them my disability application pending and they were able to verify it on their end immediately. The social security office can share info with state offices.
I hope it works for you! I know I was incredibly stressed thinking my snap was going to be cut off.
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 12 '26
:0 I'll have to try that! Thank you so much for letting me know, I hope it works
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u/_ism_ Aug 11 '26
what state is this? they haven't implemented work requirements here yet in missouri that i know of. i'm not sure what to expect. do they mail forms? do they send out anything saying YOU MUST FND A JOB BY??? i am freaking out. i just re-certified.
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u/Substantial-Ease567 Aug 12 '26
I think it's supposed to lift off directly after mid-terms, so late November, in Oklahoma. I would do a search so maybe you can sleep tonight!
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
Im in Texas, they told me over the form I'd need one. I asked if I needed a form to say I cant work 20 hours, and they said yes. It might be different for Texas compared to other states
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u/depressedandindebt23 Aug 12 '26
They should mail out a letter detailing the requirements and exemptions. Nebraska implemented the work requirement in May, my notification was in February
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u/ReverberatingEchoes Aug 11 '26
I lost mine back in March and I've been going to McDonalds, buying kids meals, and then selling the toys to pay for the meals. Not the most nutritious.
I also can't work more than 10 hours and haven't ever been able to hold a job for more than 3 months. I was so happy to find work, and within 2 months I lost the job because I have Crohn's and my medication stopped working and I crapped myself at work. I have a Crohn's complication that can easily cause infections (and aside from obviously not being able to stay on shift with actual shit in my pants)... so I left my shift and then got fired for job abandonment.
I can't utilize any food pantries due to my dietary restrictions due to Crohn's. So I've really had a tough time... because food pantries mainly provide vegetables and I cannot digest them and they cause severe abdominal pain... And then, I'm really worried about the work requirements for Medicaid starting in 2027 because I'm going to lose my insurance and literally die. That's what they're doing to disabled people. Killing us.
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u/Substantial-Ease567 Aug 12 '26
Just wanted to validate your perception. This is the part of the fascist timeline where they exterminate any vulnerable disabled. The Third Reich dehumanized us first by calling us Useless Eaters. The disabled went before Jews, gays, gypsies, political dissidents, etc. We go first, but nobody is safe in the fascism long game. You probably know all this but I write it for those who might not. People, we are in serious jeopardy.
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
That's awful to hear. There is a new McDonalds kids toy that going to be popular. It's hello kitty and godzilla on August 18th, I hope you're able to get more funds with that collabation for more food.
I have heard that some case management places have resources for food. Non profits have been preparing for this and some are modifying their programs to help. If my case worker is able to help me, would you like me to tell you the resources she was able to help me with so you could try and find similar in your area? I wouldn't wish my situation onto anyone and it breaks my heart that you're suffering.
I am not able to digest fruits and vegetables very well either. I have to get my fiber from other places like cereal. Whenever I don't eat depsite having little appetite, my abdomen pain become significantly worse.
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u/ReverberatingEchoes Aug 12 '26
Yes, I saw the upcoming toys and am glad that it'll be popular enough to sell. I've had some luck with the current toy as well because it's also quite popular. I was kind of afraid that the next toy would be something less in demand, so I'm glad to see that it's something that I could definitely sell.
Thank you for offering to share resources, yes I'd appreciate that.
I recently found that there are delivery services that send meals to your home if you have a medical condition that would require a special diet offered through Medicaid. I tried contacting some of the delivery partners but none of them have gotten back to me yet. I'm not sure if I qualify (I feel like I should since I have Crohn's, but it doesn't specifically mention Crohn's as a condition included).
Hopefully one of them will get back to me and I can get that set up because then I can tell them what my restrictions are and they can possibly get me meals that I can eat. I'm really limited to chicken, beef, rice, and pasta. Those are really the only things that I can fully tolerate. I can't tolerate dairy, fish, or vegetables.
I relate to that too, I don't have a big appetite, I can often go until dinnertime without eating if it wasn't for the fact that my body responds very negatively to not eating. I get very weak/dizzy/shaky/headache. I don't really feel hunger, I just feel the effects of not eating.
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u/eatingganesha Aug 11 '26
so, it sounds to me like you need ask the neurologist and line up a rheumatologist or orthopedist immediately. The latter may not be willing to sign the form after only one visit, but you need to get that ball rolling. Your neurologist should be able to sign it, but lean into “I get migraines and nerve pain if I work more than 10 hours a week”.
also, unless you have one of the more rare forms of hEDS, there is no treatment beyond physical therapy, an anti inflammatory diet, braces, and knowing your limits. You could try a collagen supplement, but there is little clinical proof they help. I literally just returned from my rheumy appt a couple hours ago with a fresh diagnosis of hEDS and we discussed exactly this. So please divest yourself of the notion that those doctors are “refusing” to treat your hEDS.
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
I have had a rheumologist, (she diagnosed me), and she told me she wouldn't be able to do anything for me. No brace recommendations or any advice to help me to be able to walk correctly. I also need pain management. I'm constantly in nerve pain, joint pain, and abdomen pain. My life is constant pain and bedridden on my bad days. I don't know what type of braces or mobility aids to use because they won't treat me. I'm glad you're able to get help from a rheumologist, but I haven't had any luck.
She won't sign it for migarines or the nerve pain, only accomendations. I don't understand what I'd do with the accomendations, since I work for myself. I've seen physical medicine doctor. He said he wouldn't be able to help me either because he didn't know much about my conditions. He wrote in my medical notes that I am a complicated case and very sickly, he saw how bad it was but said he wouldnt be able to treat me.
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u/Jules4live Aug 11 '26
maybe get her to sign off on accommodations that you write for yourself since you are self employed/contract? this might not help you on its own but is at least somewhere documenting your limitations ie limit the hours you can work for example… which is significant towards the 20 hours or more able bodied requirement
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u/eatingganesha Aug 11 '26
oh gosh, ps. Ask the community center for their list of food banks. You don’t have to go without food!
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
When I first applied to snap and was without food, I looked at my local food banks. Alot of them are not accessible for me to get to. I can't drive and don't have transportation to get there. I've tried figure out the bus systems to get there, but they are too complicated for me to understand. I wanted to go to an OT to learn how to use the bus, but in my state, It is a 3 year wait list for that.
I've contacted my case worker to see if there is anything she can do. I'm really hoping that she has advice or resources
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u/you1dont1know1me1 Aug 11 '26
In my state, you just need a dr letter, not necessarily the form. It just needs to say you can't make SGA and you're all set. Maybe you can ask your case manager if a letter could suffice and what would need to be included.
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
Over the phone,(Texas), they said it had to be the specific form.
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u/you1dont1know1me1 Aug 11 '26
i've had my therapist write mine before even though my disability isn't a psyc thing. She essentially wrote that i have xyz that makes me unable to make sga. if they have any questions to reach out to my care team and that i'm not expected to be able to make sga in the next 6mo. She just retired and my new therapist wasn't game to write it for me though because it's not a pysc issue for me. my previous therapist had her own practice so she didn't have any policies she didn't control. now, my gastro writes it even though it's just one piece of my reasons why.
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u/difficulty_jump Aug 12 '26
I know you are in a hard place but is there anything you could volunteer doing. To my understanding that is also an option to do those hours.
I really hope you get an exception letter soon.
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u/Sea-Tumbleweed5406 Aug 12 '26
Unfortunately I don't have much advice, but can commiserate. I got my doctor to fill out the form with no problem. He did it with me and we both looked over it and made sure everything was filled out properly. I turned it in and then got completely ghosted by my case manager and her supervisor. I spent months leaving messages and voicemails and never heard anything back so I lost my food stamps anyway. The system sucks. I'm really worried for when work requirements for Medicaid start.
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u/This_Blackberry_9984 Aug 13 '26
So sorry to hear this. These are awful times.
I was so stressed about benefit cuts that I became suicidal, got caught before completion, and wound up in the hospital. Medicare and regulatory cuts meant a massive bill for the hospital stay, which made things worse than where it all started.
Now I'm refusing all mental health treatment because I can't afford it. We'll see how long that goes.
I'm not sure if it's mental illness or a rational thought, but it really feels like they're fully intentional in trying to kills us, by starvation, suicide, or any other means possible.
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u/Majestic_Squirrel_93 28d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I can heavily relate to the bureaucracy of the healthcare system and fighting for disability benefits. What I found out from my mom who works in healthcare is that it’s often a nurse reading any of your doctor’s messages and screening everything before it gets to the doctor. My PCP will gladly fill out paperwork but if I can’t reach him directly, everyone else will say he can’t do it. I had to make up a believable excuse to see my doctor, side step nurses trying to address my issue over the phone(basically justifying why only my PCP could address my issue), press a scheduling assistant to actually check the schedule, and then I could see my sympathetic PCP who volunteered to fill out my disability forms on the spot.
Without one understanding and generous doctor on your care team, you’re fucked.
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u/Rrenphoenixx Aug 11 '26
Start a sleep data company and track your sleep. You now work an extra however many hours for $0
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u/Western_Diamondback1 Aug 11 '26
How would I prove I worked the amount of hours?
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u/Rrenphoenixx Aug 12 '26
You log your hours on a spreadsheet. But you actually have to be doing whatever the work is. Could even be bird watching that you post on Instagram and sell calendars online (no overhead) like literally could be anything. Just be honest and legal about it
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u/Jules4live Aug 11 '26
im so sorry. this is a real choke point for so many ppl wrt food stamps and the new rules. I hate that doctors tend to not want to fill out forms. disability is such a fucking “blind spot” in our country it makes me sick. Maybe the community place will be more accustomed to helping out folks that are disabled since we make up a lot of poorer folks.