There are things in life that we wish we had known earlier because they may be able to save us from wrong decisions in life. Well, these people share some of the wisdom they wish they’d known a decade ago, which would have made their lives easier!
1. Fitness Is Good for Your Mental Health
“Working out is really good for mental health. It might not be all you need, but it’s gonna be a good majority. At least for me,” said one.
“Truth! I hate it when I get sore because I can’t workout anymore. I went from being lazy and never working out for the first 25 years of my life to loving it and wondering why [the heck] was I so lazy. I did have to get incredibly depressed after a breakup, though lol,” replied another.
2. Invest in the Right Stocks
One person said, “To invest in the right stocks.”
Another one replied, “Seriously, I think of this all the time. I wish I had known to invest in Bitcoins a decade ago when the price was around 100 dollars per coin. I would have also started mining em!”
3. That the Man I Married Is a Predator
Somebody shared, “Who the man I married was/is…Spoiler, he’s a child pr*dator and I helped him find his way to prison.”
The second person replied, “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what kind of [awful things] you must have gone through discovering this.”
Then the original commenter replied, “Yeah, it was a bit like a bomb went off. I’m still a little shaken.”
4. That a 30-Minute Workout Is Easy
One user commented, “I wish I’d realized how easy it is to do 30 min of working out a day and that consistency is the key to fitness. I manage to do it now with a toddler and a job, and I should have been able to do it easily before my kid was born.”
5. My Girlfriend
“My current girlfriend. She’s the love of my life. Means everything to me. We absolutely adore each other. Going on 3 years soon,” shared somebody.
6. Remove Toxic People From Your Life
“Just because you’ve been friends with someone since you were ten years old doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Remove them from your life if they are toxic,” said somebody.
7. Spirituality Is the Ultimate Goal
One user said, “Life is not about accumulating materials. Ultimate goal should be at least being on the spiritual path for understanding the nature of my own life.”
8. All About Inner Engineering
“I wish I had known about inner engineering—how to manage my mind, thoughts, and emotions and not to mess up the most precious youthful years of life by finding a perfect partner who never exists,” somebody stated.
9. That I’m Meant to Be Alone
Somebody commented, “That I’m more than likely meant to be alone and I could save a ton of heartache by not getting into any relationships.”
10. That I’m Autistic
“That I’m autistic and it’s the reason why everything is/feels so hard for me. Spent my childhood and teenage years blaming myself for things I had no control over. I think it would’ve saved me a lot of the heartache that comes with thinking you’re fundamentally broken when in reality my brain is literally different from others,” somebody shared.
Can you relate to some of the things listed here? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Reddit
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Indianapolis, IN, is filled with an array of museums that capture this city’s rich history. From the iconic Indianapolis Museum of Art, where nature intertwines with art, to the adrenaline-pumping displays at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the city offers a handful of experiences for locals, newcomers, and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking to rent an apartment in Indianapolis or purchase a home in the area, these museums collectively bring knowledge, creativity, and inspiration to a city that’s truly one of a kind. Keep reading below to learn more about 7 fascinating museums in Indianapolis that are worth checking out.
1. The Children’s Museum
Renowned as the world’s largest children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers an immersive and interactive experience that blends education with entertainment. Boasting five floors, there are many different exhibits that cater to a diverse range of interests, from science and technology to arts and culture. Visitors can learn more about dinosaurs in the Dinosphere exhibit or explore the cosmos in the SpaceQuest Planetarium.
2. Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites
The Indiana State Museum and Historical Sites pays tribute to the rich history, culture, and natural wonders of the Hoosier State. This institution explores Indiana’s past and present through a range of exhibits and programs. Visitors can delve into the state’s geological evolution, discover the impact of Native American cultures, and trace Indiana’s role in shaping the nation’s history.
3. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Nestled within the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a shrine to the world of motorsports. This museum is perfect for racing enthusiasts, offering the history of the famed speedway and the evolution of auto racing. Visitors can learn more about the legendary Indianapolis 500 winners, explore the innovations in race car design, and gain insights into the dramatic moments that have defined the Speedway’s legacy.
4. Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Nestled on 152 acres of picturesque grounds, the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) at Newfields seamlessly blends art, nature, and architecture to create an immersive experience for visitors. The museum’s collection spans over 5,000 years of artistic expression, featuring pieces from various cultures and time periods. From classical sculptures to contemporary masterpieces, the museum provides a comprehensive journey through the world of visual arts. Beyond its galleries, the IMA boasts stunning outdoor spaces, including the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, where visitors can check out installations and sculptures.
5. NCAA Hall of Champions
The NCAA Hall of Champions shares the rich history of collegiate athletics. This immersive museum features the stories of student-athletes who have exemplified excellence in their sports and academics. As visitors step into the Hall, they are greeted by interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and memorabilia that highlight the achievements and dedication of athletes across various NCAA sports. From iconic moments on the field to the triumphs in the classroom, the museum celebrates the holistic journey of student-athletes. A central feature of the Hall is the Hall of Honor, where the accomplishments of outstanding athletes are enshrined.
6. Indianapolis Medical History Museum
Housed within the historic Old Pathology Building on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital, the Indianapolis Medical History Museum offers a glimpse into the evolution of medical science and psychiatric care. Housed in a beautifully preserved late 19th-century facility, the museum showcases medicine, history, and mental health. Visitors can wander through laboratories, pathology classrooms, and anatomical pathology museum, gaining insight into the medical practices of the past. The museum’s collection includes medical artifacts, equipment, and specimens, shedding light on the progress and challenges faced by healthcare professionals throughout history.
7. The Eiteljorg Museum
Named in honor of businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg, The Eiteljorg Museum celebrates the diverse stories of Native American people and the art of Western and Native contemporary artists. Boasting an impressive collection of Western and Native American art, artifacts, and contemporary works, visitors can explore exhibits that delve into the intricacies of Native American cultures, the beauty of Western landscapes, and the dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary artistic expressions.
Whether you want to manage your money better, rock your professional life, stay fit and eat healthy, or discover the keys to better mental health, Quick and Dirty Tips delivers short-form podcasts and articles every week to keep you at the top of your game, usually in ten minutes or less!
For teenagers, life can often be full of confusing changes and unexpected choices. What may have seemed straightforward in childhood is now complex and challenging. Experiences such as developing relationships, contemplating the future, and deciding about education options or career paths are all part of the teenage experience. Even when we think we know what direction to take, our perspectives on these matters can shift quickly. Below are the top 20 truths for today’s young adults to give them some peace and assurance about all the decisions and change.
1. Take Your Time
One user said, “It’s okay to not resolve something immediately. If someone doesn’t answer your text/WhatsApp/Facebook message, if you need to take some time to think if you want to join in that fun event, if you hear that phone ring and you miss it, If you’re not answering to a social media post, things aren’t going to blow up. Real life requires you to do one thing at a time, well or great, and not a million things.”
Another user replied, “Except important stuff…like finances…pay your bills RIGHT AWAY.”
2. You Will Get Behind Sometimes
One user shared, “While school has a structure in place to prevent you from falling behind, real life doesn’t offer the same safety net.”
Another user replied, “I will also say that conversely some of the arbitrary deadlines in school don’t apply to the real world. In college, it was kind of teachers being overly lax or strict. In the real world, if something cannot get done, regardless of the time or resources you throw at it, then it won’t get done. Yeah, you may have upset a client, but most of the time, as long as you communicate these issues as soon as possible, clients understand. Of course, it doesn’t always play out that way, but the real world seems to recognize real issues better than school sometimes can.”
3. On Time Is Better Than Perfect
“It’s better to finish something on time, even if it isn’t perfect, than not to finish it at all,” one user posted.
Another replied, “This is so true. I find this with young grads coming through at work. Smart young people and many/most become good at their jobs… But there seems to be a need for perfection and an expectation they will get the time to achieve it.
“Maybe every generation is like that when young, but I notice it a lot these days. Maybe I’m just getting old. To the list, I would add… you will need to deal with uncertainty. Not everything will be clear and have an excellent tidy answer.”
4. Don’t Always Trust Social Media
One user shared, “Social media is harmful.”
Another user replied, “Yes, I’ve heard from friends about their teenage siblings falling for TikTok fake news almost as often as I hear baby boomers fall for Facebook fake news lol.”
5. 30 Is Not Old
One Redditor stated, “30 is not old.”
Another user replied, “This. Too many people in their 30s and 40s act like they’re already practically in their graves.”
6. Expect Your First Job to Be Hard
One user shared, “That your first job out of college is probably not going to be the cushy WFH jobs you see people have on TikTok. You’re probably going to have to grind for a bit.”
Another commenter added, “Also, you’re probably not going to make 500k doing computer science right after graduating.”
7. Get Advice From Experts
“Your friends are idiots. They have just as much education as you. Take expert advice on what you want to know,” one user posted.
Another user replied, “I’m an older teen who legit doesn’t understand how you could think otherwise from this. I’ve seen teens say that older folks wouldn’t know what we’re dealing with, but that’s the opposite of the truth. They’ve already lived it and more. They would be the perfect ones to know what’s going on and give us advice. Just because we might not like what they say doesn’t mean they’re wrong. That seems like the most logical conclusion to me.”
8. Influencers Aren’t All That Unique
One user shared, “When everyone thinks they’re an influencer, no one is an influencer.”
Another user commented, “I’m not in, nor do I pay attention to the numbers in social media posts. How many followers do you need actually to be an actual influencer? You can’t deny that people like Mr. Beast is an influencer out of the sheer amount of views he gets.”
9. You May Need to Compromise on Your Job
“Very few people get to ‘do what they love for a living.’ Most adults have to compromise between what they want from life and what they want to give up to get it,” one Redditor posted.
10. Adult Life Is Challenging
One commenter shared, “Unless your parents have money and are willing to support you, life is about to get a whole lot more difficult.”
Another user added, “The problem is not that you ‘can’t’ walk in and get a job. You can, but you should be aware of the fact that you can lose that job as fast as you call it since they do get tons of applications.
“I used to work at some restaurant that just handed out job applications to every teenager who came there. One of the servers was over 18, and she had been working there for a few years. And when she complained about something to the managers, they just told her that she could either stay and not complain or she could just leave.
“They had a lot of people who could replace her, but those managers should understand that this ton of people who could replace that loyal and great server will leave soon enough and won’t be as good as her. I’m pretty sure that everyone who started working there simultaneously didn’t last even a year. Most stayed for a few months, probably not even half a year.”
11. No One Cares About High School
“No one cares what you did in high school,” one user shared.
Another user commented, “Jokes on you, after two concussions in my early 20s, I can’t even remember what I did in high school!”
Another user replied, “PREACH!”
12. Take Responsibility for Your Mental Health
One Redditor posted, “That trauma, mental illness, gender identity, sexuality are not justifications for being a bad person. Your mental health may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.”
Another user added, “Paying rent and buying groceries quickly humbles you. You’re not paying your bills because of your mental health? The landlord will not care.”
13. You Don’t Need Constant Relationships
“Teen love is a glorified myth from shows and movies. You don’t need to seek relationships constantly. Just live your life,” one user shared.
Another user replied, “Most of my friends laugh in my face when I say that I’m not interested in it yet and say I’m lying, but I just wanna enjoy what’s left of my youth for as long as possible lol.”
14. Be Respectful of Others
One user posted, “You need to remember that you can’t speak to people IRL the same way you do from your keyboard. You’ll get popped in the mouth.”
Another user commented, “I work with a teenager, and he was going for his license, and the person riding with him told him to go down a certain way. It turns out it was a wrong-way street or something, and he went down it, so he failed. The 16-year-old looked at him and said you’re an a-.
“I was like, you really didn’t say that, did you?! He said well yeah, I did because he was an a-. Kids are gonna have a hard time in the real world. It doesn’t help that he half-a- his job and expects to get paid more.”
15. People Don’t Care That Much
“People don’t care about you nearly as much as you think. Be a good person, but do what makes you happy without stress because people don’t have you In their minds as soon as you turn the corner!” one user shared.
16. You Need to Adapt
One Redditor posted, “You need to adapt to the world. Not expect that the world will adapt to you.”
Another user commented, “So much this. The world is not going to change for you. The world is not here to affirm you. You must affirm yourself and adjust your behaviours/develop coping skills to adapt to the world.”
17. School Is Not Useless
One user shared, “Schools are not as useless as they think; they do have problems, but it’s been proven over time and time that education is one of the few ways to get out of poverty.”
Another user added, “The complaint that courses that you learn in school don’t ever apply. Like most math courses. They are there to teach you how to think; if you find a job that directly has you doing Matrices with linear algebra, good on you. Otherwise, you know how to approach things from different angles.”
18. Let Emotions Just Be Emotions
“An emotion can be purely just an emotion, not a trigger, not depression and anxiety and not a reason to have a mental health crisis; sometimes it’s okay just to be sad!” one Redditor posted.
19. Don’t Pay Too Much for College
One user shared his thoughts and posted, “You don’t need an EXPENSIVE college degree. A private school that makes you take out huge loans to afford it is really not necessary at all. It is unlikely to yield better results. Also, living on campus is massively overrated, and if you can continue to live for free at home, it’s usually a great idea.
“State schools are generally far cheaper and usually of very decent quality. Also, look into EVERY potential scholarship (both merit-based and need-based) you might qualify for. Please fill out the FAFSA every single year and do it early.
“If state college isn’t looking super affordable, maybe there are no scholarships you qualify for that would help out. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with going the community college route. Relative to 4-year schools, community colleges can be dirt cheap and often provide way more flexibility if you want to do school and work part-time.
“Then, after two years, if you want to continue your education and finish up at a 4-year school, you generally can. In most cases, the credits should transfer (especially if the community college and state college are part of the same system), and you get yourself a bachelor’s degree and only pay the sticker price for two years instead of 4.
“If you live in a state that hasn’t taken this seriously and hasn’t invested in affordable higher education options, consider moving to a state that has. Establishing residency to get in-state tuition rates may take a year or more, but this can be worth it in many circumstances.
“Where you got your degree matters less and less these days. The stigma of online degrees is even lessening to a large extent, especially since COVID.
“It’s straightforward to get caught in financial traps when it comes to school, but it’s possible to avoid them. You have to plan things out and stick to what’s realistic so that you know you can see through to the end. Don’t compare yourself to others. You’re running your race. You’re on your path.
“The trades can be great for many. But if you’re not the manual labor type, you may be much better off finding a cheap higher education solution rather than trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”
20. You’re Not the Main Character
One commenter shared, “You’re not always the main character.”
Another user replied, “You can go a little more in-depth with this, I think. You’re the main character of your own story. You just need to accept the fact that you’ll be an NPC to the vast majority of people you encounter.”
Another user commented, “Enjoy being the quirky NPC in everyone else’s story.”
Do you agree with the challenging truths that were listed above? Share your thoughts!
Source: Reddit.
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Americans at risk of eviction are already stretched thin. This can make applying for eviction resources seem overwhelming.
“They’re also struggling to put food on the table, struggling to secure employment, going to appointment after appointment to secure benefits to keep their families safe,” says Emily Benfer of The Eviction Lab. “That’s a lot of toxic stress that that household is already undergoing, so the idea of adding 20 more calls to social services is daunting.”
Service providers understand this and are making the application process easier.
“It’s on us service providers to make it as low-barrier as possible,” says Emma Schmit, housing director of Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP), in Moorhead, MN. “They can call us, they can text us, we can do it over the phone, they can also walk in. You just need to do one assessment.”
Eviction resources specialists across the county can connect renters with the services they need. Schmit says people should reach out at the first sign of trouble.
“If they get a late notice or a disconnection notice, we want them to contact us as soon as they can,” she says. “It does take time.”
There are many eviction resources that renters can use to stay in their homes. Some renters will qualify for federal housing programs. Others can use emergency rental assistance, get help paying for utility bills, food, moving expenses and more.
1. HUD
If you’re part of a low-income household, start by applying for federal housing programs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs several affordable housing and grant programs in the U.S.
To see if you qualify, contact a Public Housing Agency (PHA) at (800) 569-4287. You can also search for a qualified agency online. Just enter your state to find a HUD-approved adviser in your region. Housing counselors can help you sign up for programs if you’re eligible.
Demand for these programs is high and the waitlist is very long. Some qualified applicants wait for months or years before they can get help. So, apply for short-term eviction resources, food aid and other programs in order to offset rental costs while you wait for a long-term solution.
2. Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)
The U.S. Government stepped in to help Americans pay their rent and utility bills in 2021. The Federal Emergency Rental Assistance program distributed 46 billion dollars to states, U.S. territories, local governments and Native American tribes.
This program is pandemic-related and funds will run out. So, renters at risk of eviction should apply soon as possible. Search the federal database by city, ZIP code, state or tribe.
3. The NLIHC
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) also maintains a list of emergency eviction resources across the country. Many of the programs in this database will show up in other databases as well.
Sarah Gallagher, senior project director for the NILHC’s ERASE project (Ending Rental Arrears to Stop Eviction), says that the NLIHC database is updated weekly. This helps applicants feel confident that funding is still available when they sign up.
The database includes state, county and city aid organizations. They distribute the funds to renters in many ways. Some help pay back rent or utility bills. Others provide legal help or cover moving expenses.
To see what’s available near you, just enter your state, U.S. territory, tribe or locality into the online tool. The results will include a link to the program and a description of the communities that it serves. It also describes what the program funds, so you can target your applications effectively.
You will need to apply for each program individually. Be prepared for a wait.
“Many of the programs are pretty overwhelmed,” explains Gallagher. “You want to make sure that they’re applying for everything that they’re eligible for. But they can only receive assistance from one. If they have two applications in, they can always withdraw one.”
4. The CFPB
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers eviction resources for a variety of circumstances. You can search for advice about what to do if the eviction process has just started or if you’ve already been evicted. Resources are available in many languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog.
The CFPB also maintains an emergency rental assistance database. It includes organizations that will help renters pay overdue utility bills as well. Just enter your state, territory, tribe or tribal land into the dropdown menu to find available city, state, county and tribal programs near you.
You can also find housing counselors and agencies that offer free or discounted credit and renting advice. Enter your ZIP code to find resources in your neighborhood. All agencies are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), so they can also determine if you’re eligible for HUD programs.
5. 211
“One good place to start is 211,” explains Emma Schmit of CAPLP. “They can do that quick screening and then connect a family who needs diapers or food.”
In addition to nutrition programs and services to help families meet their basic needs, 211 also provides mental health resources and help with medical bills and prescription medication. Some local programs also provide information about housing expenses and programs to pay utility bills.
You can call 211 from any telephone. When you share your location, you’ll get updated information about programs that are available in your area. All calls are confidential.
You can also explore your options online at 211. Enter your address or ZIP code into the search tool to get connected with health and human service agencies close to home.
6. Direct-To-Tenant Resources
ERASE’s Sarah Gallagher explains that some landlords are slow to accept Federal Emergency Rental Assistance, even though it can keep renters in their homes. Others refuse to accept it at all. A recent ERASE survey of participating programs across the country shows that this is a widespread problem.
“Overall, we found that the lack of participation was much more prevalent among landlords,” she says. “Of the programs that responded, 27 percent said that landlords often or sometimes refused to participate.”
Their reasons vary. Some landlords were unresponsive, unavailable or behind on paperwork. Others didn’t want to produce a W-9 tax form or report their income. Still, others wanted to retain the ability to evict tenants, even though the tenants had been approved for ERA funds.
The NLIHC says that direct-to-tenant programs can help renters bypass uncooperative landlords. These programs pay tenants directly. The tenants use the funds to pay the landlords, and the landlord never knows where the money came from.
Renters can search a list of direct-to-tenant programs within the NLIHC database. If you have an unresponsive landlord, tell your housing counselor early in the application process. Focusing the search on direct-to-tenant resources — and using aid to pay for utilities or food — will save everyone time and energy and increase your odds of success.
7. Disability Services
There are a variety of federal programs to assist Americans with disabilities. These include public housing, subsidized housing and rental assistance programs.
The Disability Services homepage includes information about these programs, as well as links to state and local opportunities. Use it to see if you’re eligible for a Non-Elderly Disability (NED) voucher to get help with your medical bills or to file a complaint. There’s a special section for disabled veterans, as well.
8. The U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or the VA) operates a number of services for veterans in crisis or at risk of homelessness. If you’re at risk of eviction, contact your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak with a VA social worker. Female veterans can request the Women Veterans Program Manager. You can also chat online with a housing assistance specialist.
If you’ve already been evicted, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838. You can speak with a trained VA counselor for free. This service is available 24 hours a day.
9. The Apartment Guide Eviction Resource Guide
The Apartment Guide Eviction Resources Guide provides a short summary of each state’s eviction laws. It also lists rental assistance programs and other eviction resources.
Search for services in your state using the interactive map. Or, browse federal rent aid options and nationwide nutrition programs.
10. LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers help with home energy bills and minor energy-related repairs. Enter your household size and household income to see if you’re eligible.
This program doesn’t provide grants to individuals. Instead, it works with partner organizations across the country.
Search for partner organizations by your tribe or your state. You can also call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at (866) 674-6327 or email [email protected] for more information.
11. The Community Action Partnership
Renters in need can also reach out directly to a Community Action Agency. Many help with moving expenses, paying back rent and providing other eviction resources to renters at risk. This might be a good option if you’re overwhelmed by the number of choices or if you’re not sure which programs you qualify for.
“If someone is in that kind of situation, I’d encourage them to call their local Community Action Agency,” says Emma Schmit. She explains that her organization, CAPLP, works like many Community Action Agencies across the country. “Since we have so many different programs, we can screen people for what kind of program they might be eligible for based on their income and the number of people in their household.”
The Community Action Partnership maintains a database of all nonprofit and public groups funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Type your state, county or ZIP code into the search tool to find a Community Action Agency near you. You can also browse the interactive map or search by agency name.
12. Salvation Army
Community Action Agencies and other state and local programs often partner with national organizations to help people meet their basic needs. The Salvation Army is one of those programs. It offers grants, emergency rental aid, nutrition programs and utility payment programs to renters across the country.
The services provided vary, depending on your location. Enter your city, state or ZIP code for information about the programs in your community.
13. Catholic Charities
This national network of faith-based charities provides food, affordable housing and other services to more than 15 million people across the country. The services provided vary by location.
Search for a church or service center in your area to see which services are available. Some partners pay for rent. Others offer help with security deposits and overdue utility bills. There may also be emergency grants available for renters at immediate risk of eviction.
14. United Way
This organization connects renters with federal eviction resources and nonprofit organizations close to home. Many rent aid options are already covered in other national and federal databases. But the organization’s local connections can uncover additional funding sources.
Use the immediate needs tool to determine the kind of help you need most. You can also explore short-term and long-term financial resources and educational materials.
15. Just Shelter
Just Shelter connects renters with a range of eviction resources. Look for information about rental and tenant’s rights. The site also includes legal aid organizations and pro bono attorneys who will represent low-income tenants in eviction cases for free.
Look for services by state using the interactive map or review the national resources.
16. Legal Services Corporation
The Legal Services Corporation gives you a list of Legal Aid attorneys who can take your case for free or for a reduced cost. Search by city or address to find one near you. Or use the interactive map to browse partners and legal aid firms across the country.
It includes links to free legal forms. You can also search recent datasets, research and studies by geography or legal problem area.
17. LawHelp.Org
Go to Law Help for legal advice and free legal aid programs by state. It also includes a list of legal resources.
Renters can search by state on the interactive map or browse the list of partners across the country. Spanish speakers can get legal help on the Spanish language site.
18. FindLegalHelp.Org
The American Bar Association’s Find Legal Help provides a list of legal aid services across the country. It also connects low-income renters with pro bono attorneys.
These attorneys are available to answer simple legal questions online. The site also includes links to state-specific legal resources.
19. U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance
Active-duty service members in the continental U.S. can contact U.S. Armed Forces Legal Assistance. Search for legal help by state or ZIP code.
Enter your branch of service into the online search tool. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps service members are eligible.
Eviction resources are available
Eviction remains a threat for many U.S. renters. But there are many eviction resources that can keep you in your home.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal or finance advice as they may deem it necessary.
You’ve heard it before, especially if you regularly read or listen to The Best Interest:
Stocks are volatile in the short run and rewarding in the long run
Bonds are less volatile (good) but less rewarding (bad)
It’s a perfect example of investing’s golden relationship between risk and reward.
The two charts we’ll look at today wonderfully present stock and bond behavior. First, let’s baseline ourselves in bonds.
The chart below shows bond data (the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate bond index) from 1976 through 2022. The gray bars show full calendar year returns in the bond index. The red dots, however, show the largest intra-year decline (“peak to trough”) each year. For example, let’s look at 1997. The bond index finished the year up 10%. But the index was down 2% from its previous high at one point during the year.
Most years have had single-digit returns – the average is +6.6%. And the average intra-year decline has been (-3.4%). 2022 is quite the outlier.
For what it’s worth, this data set syncs up pretty closely with the last ~40 years of declining interest rates (see below). Asrates fall,the values of existing bonds increase. When rates rise, the values of existing bonds decrease (see 2022). Multiple decades of steady interest rate declines (e.g. 1980 to 2021) lead to multiple decades of positive bond returns. The future might not be so steady.
Stock data looks much choppier than bond data. The chart below again shows annual returns (in gray bars) against intra-year draw downs (red dots), but this time for the S&P 500 stock index.
The average annual return is +8.6%. But the average intra-year decline is (-14.3%)!
**Important note – JP Morgan does not include dividends in this chart, which I think is a mistake. Including those dividends, the average annual return is more like ~11% during this period, while the intra-year decline would remain the same.
A year like 2003 serves as a perfect example. Down (-14%) at one point during the year. That feels pretty bad. Yet, at year-end, the S&P was up +26%. Amazing!
Stocks provided significantly better returns than bonds over this period. In total, stocks returned ~6500% (65x), whereas bonds returned ~2000% (20x). A triple-up win for stocks.
But at what cost? Stocks saw an average of (-14.3%) annual drawdowns. That’s roughly the same as bonds’ worst year (-15%).
And stocks had 5 unique annual drawdowns of 30% or more. To put that in dollar terms, 30% of a $500K stock allocation is $150,000. Imagine, once per decade, watching $500K become $350K?!
Granted, investors would be utterly unharmed if they followed conventional wisdom and stayed the course. But that’s much harder done than said. As we’ve discussed countless times, it’s one thing to say, “Stay the course when you’re down $150,000”…and it’s another thing to actually do it.
Our brains hate hanging on for dear life, so we’re tempted to cut bait and “sell to survive.” Literally. Selling our wounded stock position so our mental health can survive. It’s logical human behavior. And terrible investor behavior.
So like a broken record player, we revolve back around to topics like diversification, goals-based investing, etc. Today’s data show why most investors should own stocks and bonds(and possibly other uncorrelated assets). Some assets to grow (even if volatile), and other assets to provide stable near-term spending.
That brings us to the final chart: the same presentation as before, but now for a 60% stock, 40% bond portfolio (through 2022). And, in this chart, JP Morgan does assume dividends in the stock portion of the portfolio.
This 60/40 data shows an average annual return of +9.9%, and an average drawdown of (-7.7%). Solid returns and not too much pain along the way. Maybe there’s something to this diversification after all?
I hope your drawdowns are small, swift, and occur only when you’re not paying attention. But don’t bet your portfolio on it!
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-Jesse
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California’s population of homeless veterans has plateaued despite billions of dollars in state spending to create housing for former military service members. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to shift the state’s resources to focus on veterans with serious mental health conditions.
$6.4 billion mental health bond he’s sending to voters in the March primary election, would set aside funding specifically for veterans with serious behavioral health conditions.
That’s a shift from California’s last two major efforts to fund housing for veterans, both of which created units for a general population of former military service members.
The first effort began in the late 1990s, when the state built seven new veterans’ homes over a period of 17 years. Today those veterans homes are underused. They were built to house about 2,400 people, but only 1,575 veterans live in them. The 300-unit veterans home in Barstow was so underutilized in 2020 that Newsom moved to close it as he braced for a pandemic recession, although lawmakers blocked him from shutting the site.
The second push centered on a pair of ballot measures voters approved in 2014 and in 2018 that allocated $4.6 billion to build housing specifically for former military service members. The money created the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program, which has supported the construction of about 3,250 housing units for veterans to date.
Veterans advocates and state officials view the programs — along with federal efforts led by the Department of Veterans Affairs — as successful in reducing homelessness among former military service members. In the last 12 years, veteran homelessness in California has decreased by more than 30%.
But the trend in California mostly accounts for gains made during the Obama administration, when veteran homelessness peaked nationwide and the Department of Veterans Affairs moved aggressively to place former troops in housing. Since 2014, the number of homeless veterans in California has mostly plateaued around 10,000 to 12,000 people, according to annual counts released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Alex Visotzky, senior California policy fellow at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said the high numbers of veteran homelessness result from the challenges veterans face on returning home in California’s competitive housing market.
“When housing markets are unaffordable and incredibly competitive, those with the greatest needs are going to be more likely to fall out,” he said.
Newsom’s new strategy in the mental health bond, advocates say, should help those most in need. The California Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that half of the state’s unhoused veterans suffer from some kind of behavioral health issue.
The money in the bond would go to the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development, which would work with CalVet “to focus specifically on housing veterans experiencing behavioral health challenges,” said Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, the Thousand Oaks Democrat who wrote the bill that ultimately put the bond on the ballot.
Studies have shown veterans are overrepresented in the nation’s homeless population. They may experience personal challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorders or other mental health issues as well as disabilities related to their military service.
“Transitioning from that very specific culture and society to civilian life is a lifelong process,” said Amy Fairweather, director of policy at the veterans advocacy group Swords to Plowshares. “If you do have any physical or mental disabilities, dealing with those and trying to re-enter civilian life can be very difficult.”
Napa County as the state’s first veterans home. That site is still in operation, housing around 600 veterans on a picturesque property in wine country.
Altogether, the state now has eight veterans homes. The two largest homes are in fairly remote communities — one is in Napa County’s Yountville and the second is in Barstow in the Mojave Deserts. Moving to them can mean living at a long distance from a veteran’s family. That geography somewhat limits interest in the homes.
The homes account for the lion’s share of CalVet’s $650 million annual budget. Some advocates have called on the state to put money into programs that would benefit people who don’t necessarily want to live in a veterans home.
“The state should keep its promises to the current home residents, but as things change, the program needs to be less structured on just providing room and board for a very limited number of people and more structured on providing skilled nursing facility care for those who need it,” said Ethan Rarick, executive director at Little Hoover Commission, which published a report on the veterans homes in 2017.
Outside of the veterans homes, California approved a series of bonds meant to help military service members find housing beginning in 2008. The Veterans Bond Act, passed that year, provided $900 million to veterans through the CalVet Home Loans Program.
In 2014, California passed an initiative creating the Veterans Housing and Homelessness Program, which put $600 million toward building multi-family homes for veterans. A second ballot initiative in 2018 gave another $4 billion to the program.
The federal Department of Veterans Affairs, meanwhile, has kept up steady funding for housing vouchers that can provide a place to live for former troops. The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, commonly known as HUD-VASH, was a centerpiece of the Bush and Obama administration’s efforts to curb veterans’ homelessness. It provides rental assistance to over 100,000 veterans nationally.
A steep drop in veteran homelessness
The number of homeless veterans in the U.S. peaked in the Great Recession, when the VA in 2007 reported some 154,000 former troops were homeless.
At that time, Fairweather of Swords to Plowshares said many of those deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were starting to come back home “to a society that wasn’t prepared for it.”
On top of that, they and older veterans struggled in the economic downturn, which led to more unemployment and homelessness.
“It all came together in a way that was really disadvantageous to the veterans,” she said.
Last year, the VA estimated about 33,000 veterans were homeless nationwide. According to the 2021 annual homelessness assessment report by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than half of them are over age 55. The data also shows that Black veterans are more likely to be homeless than veterans belonging to other races.
Advocates say veterans can be reluctant to ask for help.
“When veterans ultimately fall down that hole into homelessness, what is happening along with that is that they’re losing connection with friends and family, because they’re ashamed that their life is falling apart and it’s hard for them to ask for help,” said Stephen Peck, president of the veterans support organization U.S. Vets.
San Francisco native and Army veteran Latoya White has struggled to stay housed in the dozen years since she left the service. She has found it difficult to afford rent even though she was able to keep decent jobs at a grocery store, the San Francisco airport, and now as a city bus driver.
She was unfamiliar with the resources the VA offered to veterans, like housing vouchers.
“I’ve always had benefits through my job. I don’t think that then the VA had as many resources as they have now. I did go to the VA and they’re so limited on what they could help me with. So, you know, I just went and got a job and I just was really self sufficient,” she said.
After sleeping in her car and couchsurfing for several years, White reached out for help from the advocacy group Swords to Plowshares. That led her to transitional housing, and then to an apartment in San Francisco this June through the HUD-VASH program.
“A lot of us didn’t even know anything about the HUD-VASH program,” said White, 34. “A lot of veterans don’t even know that there is assistance out there for them.”
What does Newsom want to do?
Putting the money into the mental health bond comes with a tradeoff.
In advancing Newsom’s mental health plan, lawmakers amended an early version of Assemblymemer Irwin’s veterans’ housing bill that would have issued more bonds for the existing veterans’ housing program. Without new funding, the program that supports construction of multi-unit veterans’ housing is expected to run out of money in 2024.
Still, representatives for Newsom’s ballot measure in a written statement said the bond would create more capacity to help former troops.
“Proposition 1 adds new money for California’s most vulnerable veterans without any redirection or reprioritization from the current program. Without Proposition 1, there would be zero funding for homeless veteran housing moving forward, which is why the measure is so critically needed,” the statement read.
All together, the ballot measure going to voters includes $6.4 billion to fund projects for behavioral health issues and those at the risk of homelessness. It also includes a proposal to adjust how the state spends money it collects for mental health services from a tax on personal income over $1 million, aiming to direct more of the money to housing.
The $1 billion for veterans housing will be distributed in the form of loans and grants by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Representatives from veterans’ groups say the program’s success could hinge on getting the word out, and providing services that provide a path out of homelessness.
At U.S. Vets, Peck said the nonprofit strives to create a community where veterans help veterans.
“Building that community is really important,” he said. “A federal veteran who’s been through the process already is probably more effective than we are as social workers.”
Gibson, who currently lives in transitional housing provided by Swords to Plowshares, has started to find that community through the nonprofit.
“I talked to them about how I’m struggling with some issues and they are pretty open and supportive about it,” she said.
Gibson hopes that federal and state services fund more community-oriented programs like hers, so more veterans are able to feel like they are home.
Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure thatpeople have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.
As part of your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy, your organization, like many others, is likely developing a plan to attract and retain veteran talent. Many organizations have adopted dedicated veteran employee relations groups, specialized talent acquisition teams, or tailored onboarding programs. Perhaps overlooked, the financial well-being benefits you offer can add significantly to the success of these efforts.
Financial health is an important subject for everyone, but it can have some unique aspects for veterans. Despite the dedicated financial resources available to service members while serving, the transition to civilian life after years in the service can affect their short and long-term financial stability.
There are several noted reasons this may occur. Veterans have likely dealt with relocations, deployments, a lack of employment opportunities for their spouses, and, of course, war-related trauma. All of that can leave them vulnerable in certain aspects of their financial health.
That’s why veteran employees can use your help. Research published in 2020 by the research and advisory company Gartner, Inc. shows that veterans want three main workforce financial benefits — financial planning, financial education, and debt management.
With that in mind, SoFi at Work has published our Guidebook: “Are your financial well-being benefits veteran-ready?” to help HR and Total Rewards leaders design a meaningful and impactful program to support your veteran workforce.
The complete guide is available for download from our website, but here are the core components that we recommend be included in a veteran-ready financial well-being program.
Student Loan Employer Contributions
Despite having access to significant federal veterans’ education benefits, more than a quarter of veteran undergraduate students have taken out private and federal student loans (with a median amount of $8,000) to complete their education, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. The fact of the matter is the cost of education has outpaced the support of programs that the GI Bill and SCRA Interest Cap offer service members, resulting in the need for additional funding. And veterans, who are often working and raising families while going to school, may take longer to finish degrees, meaning certain benefits will have expired before their coursework has been completed.
This is why well-designed employer-sponsored student loan offerings are critical for a successful veteran-ready financial well-being program. While there are several military student loan repayment and forgiveness programs, try to avoid the mistaken thinking that your veteran employee’s needs are fully met. Many of these programs are for fully disabled veterans only. Others have other specific and sometimes complicated restrictions.
Fortunately, recent legislation makes it easier for employers to help veterans — as well as all employees — pay down student debt. Thanks to the CARES act of 2020, employers can now support workers with direct student loan payments in the same tax-advantaged way they have supported tuition reimbursement for years. These changes allow employers to provide up to $5,250 tax-exempt annually toward a qualified employee’s student loan repayment through 2025.
In addition, the SECURE 2.0 Act (passed in the House on March 29, 2022) allows employers to address student debt in another way — by making matching contributions to retirement plans based on employees’ student loan payments.
The purpose of the law is to assist employees who may, because of their student loan debt, decide against making elective contributions by payroll reduction and as a result, miss out on employer matching contributions. The SECURE 2.0 student loan provision goes into effect on January 1, 2024.
Recommended: How Does an HR Team Implement a Student Loan Matching or Direct Repayment Benefit?
Emergency Savings Programs
Veteran financial wellness also suffers among those who have less in liquid savings or feel they could not absorb an unexpected financial shock. In a 2021 Military Family Advisory Network survey, 38.4% of veteran families reported that they have less than $500 in an emergency savings fund, or no fund at all. This suggests that employers can help relieve financial stress among veteran employees through automatic emergency savings programs.
These plans allow employees to contribute after-tax payroll deductions automatically into a customized savings account. Many employers also make matching contributions, much as they might with a 401(k). Depending on plan design, these funds can be available at any time and for any reason. In addition, most Emergency Savings Accounts (ESAs) are portable, meaning that veterans and other employees can take advantage of the program and retain its benefits even when they have a change in employment.
These programs gained popularity during the pandemic when it became painfully evident that many employees were not financially ready for an emergency. The same may hold for veterans transitioning to civilian life. When employers offer a trusted and easy way to save, they can help veterans with this transition.
Help With Debt and Negative Credit Events
Another factor that impacts veteran (and all) employee financial well-being is high-interest debt. While the intention might have been to keep this for a short period, many Americans face challenges with paying down that debt over time. The Military Family Advisory Network survey found that over three quarters (75.8%) of veteran families carry current debt.
High debt levels and other factors can have a negative effect on an employee’s credit rating, increasing the chances that they will be rejected for a variety of credit instruments. Research suggests that this type of adverse credit event can result in a significant drop in veteran financial-wellness perception. Here are some ways employers can help support employees facing negative credit events:
• Debt and Financial Coaching: Offer one-on-one debt repayment and budgeting counseling, including budget and spend tracking programs to help balance monthly necessities, debt repayment, and discretionary spending.
• Some Early Paycheck Programs: Not all of these plans are created equally, but a well-designed early paycheck program can help employees meet short-term financial needs without having to take out debt with excessive fees or interest rates.
• Credit Score Monitoring: Provide free credit score monitoring services and counseling to help veterans rebuild damaged credit scores or build new credit.
Recommended: How Financial and Mental Health Can Collide With Work
Balance Short-Term Needs and Long-Term Financial Goals
While we have mostly discussed programs that are designed to support the shorter-term financial needs of veteran talent, it is important that your overall program also helps veterans get ready for their top financial goal: retirement readiness. As Gartner found, veterans are 48% more likely to list getting ready for retirement as a personal goal than their nonveteran counterparts. Since they may be eligible for additional benefits, like pensions, this is another reason to include professional financial coaching or planning in your overall financial well-being strategy. This can help veteran talent navigate the increasingly complex retirement landscape.
The Takeaway
It’s essential to analyze your workforce — and the talent you’re looking to hire — to understand what programs will best serve your veteran employees’ needs. But implementing a few hallmark veteran-ready financial well-being programs can help you improve the overall financial wellness of your veteran workforce and help you attract and retain talent in this competitive landscape.
Learn how SoFi at Work can help.
Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For information on licenses, see NMLS Consumer Access (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org ). The Student Debt Navigator Tool and 529 Savings and Selection Tool are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal housing lender.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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Growing up without money affects how you live on a daily basis in childhood, and it can have long-term effects into adulthood, even when you begin to have enough money to make ends meet.
When you move from experiencing poverty to maintaining financial stability, there can be some major opportunities to set yourself and your family up for long-term security. But there can also be challenges around changing your mindset and managing your emotions about money. Here are some things to expect when you move from one circumstance to another.
How the experience of poverty can shape your money behaviors
When money is tight on a continual basis, hard decisions often have to be made, such as, “Am I going to pay my light bill or am I going to buy groceries?”
“There’s no right answer, and either way there’s going to be a lack of safety,” says Saundra Davis, a money coach and director of Sage Financial Solutions.
Davis says that lack of safety — i.e., not being able to fulfill all of your needs and living in fear that you’ll lose your income, benefits or housing — “can create what is widely termed as ‘financial trauma,’ which is when an experience with money, or a message passed down from a previous generation, causes us to behave in response to the trauma rather than with thoughtful consideration.”
Family relationships are typically an influential factor in your money habits, and they can also be a major consideration once your financial situation improves. Davis says that thought patterns about money can come from lived experience, but they also come from information passed down through family members.
There can be additional obstacles that might affect you or may have affected your family in the past, such as racial or gender discrimination, mental health issues, substance abuse or disabilities that may have hindered earning enough money for your household to cover its expenses. Systemic obstacles can also be a consideration, such as how public benefits might be cut off once you reach a certain income level, even if you still need financial assistance to pay for food or housing.
Assuming you’ve been able to overcome these challenges, there can be mental hurdles to get over once you’re in a more financially abundant situation. But there are steps you can take to get on track toward achieving your financial goals.
How to change your money mindset and management
Veniecia Robinson, a therapist and life coach, has personal experience in shifting her money mindset. She grew up in a household that faced financial challenges, and she also became a mother at a young age. She recalls paying certain bills only after she had received a service shutoff notice. Once she started school to become an accountant, she decided that she wanted to change these habits and parent her children to understand credit, saving money and how to manage their spending habits.
One of the early steps she took toward financial stability was to start keeping tabs on how much she was spending, which she recommends to anyone who’s working to improve their financial situation.
“It can be terrifying to start tracking your money because once you know, you have to do something about it,” says Robinson.
After she had a handle on her income and expenses, she was able to prioritize the financial goals she had created for herself and come up with a spending plan. For her, that looked like paying her bills first, then allocating the remaining money this way: setting aside money for discretionary spending; saving some money for a rainy day fund; and investing a percentage toward her future.
If you aren’t sure where to start, in addition to tracking your spending, reach out to a fiduciary financial planner — ideally before your money comes in. Fiduciary financial planners have a legal duty to act in your best interest, which means they won’t push you to buy a financial product or service. These financial planners can be found with an online search, or through referrals in your community.
You can also reach out to a financial therapist when thoughts about money are getting in the way of decision-making or if you’re feeling stressed about money. Davis also suggests that people increase their knowledge by reading financial resources and thinking about their emotions around money. Financial education can be found in many sources, including books, classes and online. Start by checking out the personal finance section of your local bookstore or library, or you could look up financial terms online.
If family is a concern, a meeting can be a helpful step to set expectations around money and to discuss how the whole family could benefit from a financial shift. This might entail discussions around how money can be used to provide long-term security versus what it can do in the short term.
“You should give thought to the impact of financial decisions on your whole life,” says Davis. “Recognize that resources can change lives for the better. You should be thinking, ‘What do I want life to look like later?’”
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.
The Social Security Administration may consider bipolar disorder a disability if someone has medical documentation of the condition, limited ability to perform certain tasks and proof of ongoing treatment. People with disabilities may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance and work accommodations under the American with Disabilities Act.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1 in 5 people experience a mental health condition in their lifetime
National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Illness. Accessed Oct 18, 2023.
. Bipolar disorder commonly runs in families, with 80% to 90% of patients having a relative with bipolar disorder or depression. Bipolar disorder can have three different diagnoses: bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder.
Work accommodations for bipolar
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers must provide reasonable accommodations for eligible employees with disabilities. Accommodations can vary by job and employee needs, but a few examples of workplace accommodations include
:
Telecommuting or hybrid office policies.
Flexible hours and scheduling.
Sick leave to accommodate mental health.
Scheduling breaks as needed.
Reducing or removing distractions.
Private offices or space enclosures.
Tape recorders for recording meetings and training sessions.
Additional assistance and/or time for learning new tasks and duties.
Flexible and supporting supervision style.
SSDI benefits for bipolar
The size of the benefit you’ll receive is based on, among other things, your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. This calculation takes into account how much you earned each year and how long you worked.
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What types of bipolar qualify for disability?
The Social Security Administration may consider bipolar disorder a disability if you meet conditions 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 from the list below
:
Medical documentation of bipolar disorder with three or more of these conditions: pressured speech, flight of ideas, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, involvement in activities likely to have painful consequences, or increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation.
Extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two of these things: ability to understand, remember, or apply information; ability to interact with others; ability to concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; or ability to adapt or manage oneself.
Your condition is “serious and persistent,” with at least two documented years of treatment and minimal ability to adapt to changes in environment or activities in daily life.
How likely is it that the SSA will approve my SSDI application?
Only about 38% of all disability applicants are initially approved for SSDI benefits. However, you can appeal the decision. You have 60 days to appeal a denial in writing.
There are four levels of appeals available if you want to continue pursuing your application:
Reconsideration.
Hearing by an administrative law judge.
Review by the Appeals Council.
Federal court review.
Approximately half of those who appeal to an administrative law judge were approved
.
When can I start receiving disability benefits?
Typically, disability applicants in general have to wait five months from the onset of a disability to receive benefits. Benefits are usually tied to the date of the onset of the disability rather than the date of the application, which means you might receive “back pay” after the Social Security Administration approves your application.
For example, if your disability began June 20 and you applied July 1, your first benefit would be paid for December. December is the sixth full month of disability. However, Social Security pays benefits in the month following when they are due. So you wouldn’t actually receive your first payment until January
.
However, SSDI applicants wait an average of over seven months before receiving an approval decision.