For some context: I am 23 and I've been staying at my dad's house for about 10 months because I was very mentally ill and burnt out for many reasons. I’ve been through a lot. I'm definitely doing a bit better now thankfully, but I'm still not exactly in working condition. Besides some pet sitting on Rover, I haven't worked since I got back. I don't regret it because I was completely burnt out and needed badly to rest and talk to somebody. I've been seeing a therapist for around 8 months and I'm getting screened as soon as possible to see if I'm autistic and have adhd. I’m quite certain I am and I do.
I live with my dad, but I have been using the money I saved up from working all last year + the pet sitting money to financially support myself. I also help my dad out with money pretty often instead of paying rent, which I'm thankful for. But I pay for all of my food, phone bill, family dog's food and vet bills, and transportation for anywhere I need to go. My dad is poor and can't do much else for me, which I completely understand.
But the thing is… I am really starting to struggle now and every last penny is going straight towards groceries because I have to eat enough food. I'm surviving, but I could use some help in the meantime. I want to be able to move out and move forward with my life. I know that if I want to do any of that, I have to start working somehow somewhere. But.. I know I can't mentally handle working a full-time job right this second, which is why I want to get my diagnosis(es?).
I've been seeing a therapist for around 8 months and I recently saw a doctor for a referral. I'm seeing a psychiatrist next month to start that process. Then maybe I can actually start a treatment plan and get the support I need. Then maybe I can start medication so I can actually function without completely exhausting myself and feeling miserable. Then maybe I can actually have a life and a long term job and friends and hobbies. Every other time I've moved out and worked full-time, I've just ended up burnt out with no job back at my dad's.
But what I'm basically wondering is…does any of this matter in the food stamps interview? Does the agent even care? I don't have a diagnosis yet to prove it because that's a time-consuming, difficult process. But I know myself and I know that I’m doing the best possible thing for myself by not working yet. Ahhh I'm so nervous. What should I have prepared? What should I say? Is there anything I shouldn’t mention?
Side note: I am applying as an independent household because I’m not living here permanently and I have been financially independent for a long time. I am just staying here to figure things out. I don’t know if I should have added my dad to the household, but I know that he doesn’t approve of that. He won’t give me his information. He wants nothing to do with this process or me financially. He’s just not like that. He doesn’t like getting involved with government stuff.