Transitioning and SSI.

[kariann330]

So im wondering if anyone knows how/if transitioning can effect disability payments. Im not really worried about the period before changing my name and living part time, but im really worried about after name change and before SRS. Especially knowing that some government agencies won't pay pension payments once you change your name until you have SRS.

Any advice anyone can give will be great.
Thanks.
Kari.

[tgchar21]

Where did you get the idea that the government would not pay you during that time? As long as you notify everyone of your name change right after getting it you shouldn't have any problems (if there are name mismatches you could have problems though). Remember that legally changing your name and legally changing your gender are two separate processes (though sometimes done together) in the U.S. (By your logic there would be issues with anyone changing their name for non-TG reasons continuing to get their payments.)

[kariann330]

US military will not make pension payments to a qualifying person who has changed there name to that of the opposite gender until 1) the person undergoes SRS and 2) submits proof from the surgeon who performed the surgery in order to fully update the persons form DD214. Until both conditions have been met pension payments will be put on hold and will resume once they have updated the form DD214.

[Olivia-Anne]

US military will not make pension payments to a qualifying person who has changed there name to that of the opposite gender until 1) the person undergoes SRS and 2) submits proof from the surgeon who performed the surgery in order to fully update the persons form DD214. Until both conditions have been met pension payments will be put on hold and will resume once they have updated the form DD214.

I'm curious, if you are now receiving your pension, would it be safe to assume your not working/retired? If so, would there be some legal reason you would need to change your name prior to SRS? If not, an option might be to just change your name just before or after your SRS date. Trust me you do not need to explain the reason for wanting to change your name A.S.A.P. I fully understand that. But maybe if its something you can live with. For your 1 yr full time necessary for SRS without a name change, It might help lessen the impact of trying to live without the pension.

If it were me that is probably what I would do. Unfortunitialy I have to sort this all out with the possibility of losing my job and not having a source of income. A frightning future ahead for sure but I will survive. Good luck!

<3 Liv

[tgchar21]

With that policy I think that might make a good case for a legal challenge in court. What would they do if a non-transgender person changed their name to a unisex one or one more common for the opposite gender? Since there are no legally defined "male" or "female" names I think at some point a judge would throw out that policy (or else that may lead to the same effect that I brought up here; a legal definition blooming of what names are allowed or not allowed for each gender, affecting anyone with a baby to name).

[muuu]

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[tgchar21]

Also, unless their policy has recently changed I thought that you cannot change your name on the DD-214 once you've been discharged (regardless of the reason for the name change unless it was an error at the time) and the form does not indicate your gender. Where are you getting all this information from?

[vegie271]

I am on SSI they keep paying me fine just notify them of the name change and you get a new social security card, no charge even for the new card, the problem is on SSI you are not allowed to save more than $2,000 in a savings account so it is not possible to save for SRS

I have been trapped for a while now even tried suicide because of this

[kariann330]

I am on SSI they keep paying me fine just notify them of the name change and you get a new social security card, no charge even for the new card, the problem is on SSI you are not allowed to save more than $2,000 in a savings account so it is not possible to save for SRS

I have been trapped for a while now even tried suicide because of this

Thank you for your reply...and while SSI can track what you have in a savings account....they can't track what you have stashed in a gun safe or in that coffee can on top of your fridge.

And for those were wondering why im on SSI....bipolar 1 with psychosis, i would love to work but can't keep a job because of the paranoia, agoraphobia and anxiety.

[vegie271]

Thank you for your reply...and while SSI can track what you have in a savings account....they can't track what you have stashed in a gun safe or in that coffee can on top of your fridge.

And for those were wondering why im on SSI....bipolar 1 with psychosis, i would love to work but can't keep a job because of the paranoia, agoraphobia and anxiety.

$30,000 towards SRS in my apartment? maybe you need to know I am bipolar type II with schizoaffective disorder (this has accompanying paranoia) how am I going to feel safe?  Plus when I roll up in Marcie's office with a suitcase of cash what is she going to do? pull out 100 of those yellow pens to see of they are counterfeit, going to take a month!

[kariann330]

That's why i said gun safe lol....and i forget if and when they expire, but you can do multiple money orders....or just walk in with the suitcase full of money lol

[Olivia-Anne]

$30,000 towards SRS in my apartment? maybe you need to know I am bipolar type II with schizoaffective disorder (this has accompanying paranoia) how am I going to feel safe?  Plus when I roll up in Marcie's office with a suitcase of cash what is she going to do? pull out 100 of those yellow pens to see of they are counterfeit, going to take a month!

Maybe a trusted friend can put it into a savings account or CD for you? But I would agree with you, 30k just sitting around at my house would make me extremely anxious, gun safe or not. 

<3 Liv

[vegie271]

Maybe a trusted friend can put it into a savings account or CD for you? But I would agree with you, 30k just sitting around at my house would make me extremely anxious, gun safe or not. 

<3 Liv

Sadly I have no trusted friends there are a few people in my current city who I trust well enough to set my drink down near but that is about as far as I will go. I could not even get a ride to the hospital  if I had an emergency and I have known all of these people for at least 6 years.

I did have one person who I thought was a friend who did propose such a thing only a few months ago, but strangely just in the last few weeks she does not seem to be talking to me any more (and we have known each other for about 5 years)

[Olivia-Anne]

Sadly I have no trusted friends there are a few people in my current city who I trust well enough to set my drink down near but that is about as far as I will go. I could not even get a ride to the hospital  if I had an emergency and I have known all of these people for at least 6 years.

I did have one person who I thought was a friend who did propose such a thing only a few months ago, but strangely just in the last few weeks she does not seem to be talking to me any more (and we have known each other for about 5 years)

Another thing I might suggest is looking into some very low risk stocks or investments. If you invest in some really stable low return stocks you could use that as a form of savings. Hold on to them untill you aquire the amount you need. It might even earn more then if it were in a saving account. But there is always some sort of risk involved. Another thing you could try is to buy some investment property. Possibly buy a house or condo or something. Make the payments on that and then when you have enough equity in your home you could sell it or take the equity out of it.

If anything else comes to mind I will let you know. I know there is some sort of work around for your situation. Just have to be willing to maybe take a little risk or to search for it high and low. 

<3 Liv

P.S. You dont need a suitcase full of cash to bring to Dr. Bowers, you can use cashiers check silly! 

[Olivia-Anne]

I fear I may have aided in de-railing the thrad a tad.  Sorry for that Kari!

<3 Liv

P.S. Sorry for the double post!

[vegie271]

No, this is not derailed, the reason I cannot save is that if i do save I lose my SSI AND my medicare which also prevents me from getting the HRT that I am getting in my transition which I have been doing all along all while on SSI. I have answered the thread.

My transition was under SSI, HRT paid for by SSI, including doctors. The only thing I had to pay for was all of the stuff like my name change and stuff.