Formerly Disabled - Mental Health

Hello Everyone :)

I'm sorry this is a fairly complicated question, and I very much appreciate any thoughts on this - I've researched to no avail so far..

My situation: I got on disability (SSDI) 10 years ago, and was briefly medicated for a few conditions (nothing too wild: Bi-polar, Anxiety, Depression, etc). The medication lasted less than a year. Very gradually my conditions have improved (as I believe they were related to a very rough period of my life, and various incidents). In the past year or so, I have gradually returned to different entry-level jobs, eventually reaching full-time for a while now, and consider myself no longer disabled - basically mentally healthy. I do not foresee any problems returning in the near-to-distant future, either. A little while ago, I reported to SSDI that I am working full time, and in less than 6 months, my SSDI will run out.

For the DOT physical, AND, for the process of getting hired with trucking companies: I am planning on saying I have no mental health issues on my DOT physical form, because I truly believe I do not (not to mention I have not been medicated for over 9 years). I should then get my MEC from DOT, after I pass the physical of course. I am then planning on telling the trucking companies that I was on disability (which I have much documentation of) during the unemployed periods for part of the past 3 years. I want to tell them that, so as to explain my unemployment gaps (which I'm told can be a major issue with trucking companies).

My Questions: 1) Do employment gaps even matter much to trucking companies, so maybe, when speaking with them, I don't even need to bring up the SSDI (that is 100% ending in less than 6 months anyways)?

2) If so, when mentioning disability, will the trucking companies ask about what type of mental disabilities I had? Would they require letters from psychiatrists saying I am currently fit to work/drive (it sounds like DOT cares about even mild depression, from what I've read)? Would they require that my SSDI is completely cancelled now? (which I can do, if need be). Are there waiting periods before they consider you fit to work again? Finally, in they do get that involved, would it also be a problem if I didn't mention my (former) disability with DOT beforehand on the physical (would the trucking companies be able to revoke my MEC from DOT, etc)?

Again, thanks so much! I only posted once before, and everyone here completely cleared up a gray area I had, so fast! I'm slowly coming to realize that the trucking community is comprised of so many awesome people! I'm just weeks away right now from finally starting this career (already got my learner's permit), and I just am doing everything I can to become a part of the community and do the best work possible out there on the road..:)

Thanks Again, -Lee

I'm running into a lot of hesitancy over work gaps despite it being a VA pension and not like I was out on the streets shooting heroin. YMMV

If you're not medicated I'd not mention mental health to anyone, especially if you're off for nearly a decade.

As far as SSDI, from what this reads they only care if you're actually working and over a limit $$$ wise

Here is the ssa dot gov link

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/twp.html

Hello Everyone :)

I'm sorry this is a fairly complicated question, and I very much appreciate any thoughts on this - I've researched to no avail so far..

My situation: I got on disability (SSDI) 10 years ago, and was briefly medicated for a few conditions (nothing too wild: Bi-polar, Anxiety, Depression, etc). The medication lasted less than a year. Very gradually my conditions have improved (as I believe they were related to a very rough period of my life, and various incidents). In the past year or so, I have gradually returned to different entry-level jobs, eventually reaching full-time for a while now, and consider myself no longer disabled - basically mentally healthy. I do not foresee any problems returning in the near-to-distant future, either. A little while ago, I reported to SSDI that I am working full time, and in less than 6 months, my SSDI will run out.

For the DOT physical, AND, for the process of getting hired with trucking companies: I am planning on saying I have no mental health issues on my DOT physical form, because I truly believe I do not (not to mention I have not been medicated for over 9 years). I should then get my MEC from DOT, after I pass the physical of course. I am then planning on telling the trucking companies that I was on disability (which I have much documentation of) during the unemployed periods for part of the past 3 years. I want to tell them that, so as to explain my unemployment gaps (which I'm told can be a major issue with trucking companies).

My Questions: 1) Do employment gaps even matter much to trucking companies, so maybe, when speaking with them, I don't even need to bring up the SSDI (that is 100% ending in less than 6 months anyways)?

2) If so, when mentioning disability, will the trucking companies ask about what type of mental disabilities I had? Would they require letters from psychiatrists saying I am currently fit to work/drive (it sounds like DOT cares about even mild depression, from what I've read)? Would they require that my SSDI is completely cancelled now? (which I can do, if need be). Are there waiting periods before they consider you fit to work again? Finally, in they do get that involved, would it also be a problem if I didn't mention my (former) disability with DOT beforehand on the physical (would the trucking companies be able to revoke my MEC from DOT, etc)?

Again, thanks so much! I only posted once before, and everyone here completely cleared up a gray area I had, so fast! I'm slowly coming to realize that the trucking community is comprised of so many awesome people! I'm just weeks away right now from finally starting this career (already got my learner's permit), and I just am doing everything I can to become a part of the community and do the best work possible out there on the road..:)

Thanks Again, -Lee

I don't know about now days with new FMSCA Rules after Feb 7th. But in 2019, when I started this adventure, all I provided was 2 letters from people that known me 25 and 55 years stating what I was doing when not working for a company, but myself. All they really wanna know is you weren't in Afghanistan learning to make bombs n such lol. Never had em give me grief over "unemployed"

As far as your past medical issues, depends on application questions. It's a "need to know" privacy issue I'd say..."If they don't ask, don't volunteer info"

Thanks for the reply Travis!

So it sounds like saying i had a disability won't make up for employment gaps (and it sounds like trucking companies really do care a lot about employment gaps).., So maybe I shoudn't even bring up the former disability, and just try my hardest to find a company that will hire even with a massive employment gap... --sigh-- But... I bet with enough perserverence it can be done. Certainly hope so :)

Anyways, Thanks Again!

(As for the SSDI, i'm actually not worried about losing it, I'm already making more than the limit, which is why it will run out later this year (they let you make over a certain limit for up to nine non-consecutive months). I've reported all my wages to SSA, and am happy for benefits to end. I'm just trying to get out on the road! :)

I'm only dipping my toes in to get started so I'm only relaying what I've run into so far. I haven't gotten super far into any employment process so you may have more luck.

As you're working currently and that will be part of the 9 months trial you will have some work history so that may help you. I don't see how you're not gonna be able to mention disability though. Unless you plan on waiting a full 3+ years so your current job fills out the required amount of history they're probably gonna ask "ok, you have this last year to present worked, what about the rest?" "I had income" probably won't cut it lmao.

I'd wait for others with way more experience on and in the hiring process to answer. Those were just my $0.02

Thanks for the reply Travis!

So it sounds like saying i had a disability won't make up for employment gaps (and it sounds like trucking companies really do care a lot about employment gaps).., So maybe I shoudn't even bring up the former disability, and just try my hardest to find a company that will hire even with a massive employment gap... --sigh-- But... I bet with enough perserverence it can be done. Certainly hope so :)

Anyways, Thanks Again!

(As for the SSDI, i'm actually not worried about losing it, I'm already making more than the limit, which is why it will run out later this year (they let you make over a certain limit for up to nine non-consecutive months). I've reported all my wages to SSA, and am happy for benefits to end. I'm just trying to get out on the road! :)