On disability due to depression, can I still volunteer?
 

Hi,

I've had treatment resistant Major Depressive Disorder for 13 years. I struggled to continue working in a career I loved for about 4 years after diagnosis, but ended up having to quit, due to severe depression. I have been on Social Security Disability for about 9 years.

Lately I have been feeling a bit better and more hopeful, and I'm thinking of trying to volunteer at the local food bank a couple of hours a week, at least I want to try.

Do any of you know if you can volunteer while on disability? If it goes good, I would LOVE to be able to go back to work someday, I loved my career, but for now I just need to see if I can volunteer a couple of hours a week. As you all probably know, depression is tricky, and comes and goes, gets better and gets worse.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Re: On disability due to depression, can I still volunteer?
 

Hello there!
Yes, you can volunteer as long as you don't get paid a penny.
A voluntary job can be viewed as a social therapy if it is to justify your action with the SS people.
I wish you the best life has to offer!
You have a new true friend here!!!
Blessings!

Re: On disability due to depression, can I still volunteer?
 

Hey there! I feel that being isolated adds to the depression I have experienced with long term medical problems. Volunteering sounds like a good way to get out of the house and feel good about doing good in the world. I always like to google questions on the internet to get answers. So I put in "Social security volunteering while receiving disability payments" and then I went to the link with the ssa.gov in the address. -https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-1574.htm The government does allow you to volunteer and you can read up on the rules in the link. Best of luck, Bicyling4Joints