From disability to finding work again

[osric]

Any suggestions on how to make the transition from being on disability to getting back to work?

I've been out of work for three years due to major depression, anxiety and a neurological disorder. HIV joined the mix last year and the depression got really bad again. My head is in a better space now, so I'm finally ready to deal with my dire financial situation and start working again.

My psychiatrist recommended that I find a "recovery job" to kind of ease me into working and see how much I can tolerate.

I'm over 40 and I have a huge gap on my resume. I have no idea how to explain going from a management position to not working to looking for a retail job.

I could really use some help figuring this out. Are there any resources folks here can recommend? Any web sites or free job counseling organizations that are useful? Any tips on how to land a low-paying service job? Maybe I should just go to a temp agency?

Thanks for any suggestions...

(If I posted this in the wrong place my apologies... I put it here since it's disability-related.)

[BT65]

Osric, I would look up "Vocational Rehabilitation" in your area.  That is an organization who helps people with disabilities get back into the work force.  They can also put you in touch with a benefits counselor, that can assist you with keeping your benefits if you can only work part-time. 

You can also go to Social Security's website and on the search engine, search for "Redbook."  That is their guide as to how much money you can make to keep benefits etc. 

I went back to work after being on SSDI for 15 years.  It helps to start back part-time to see if that works well.  In fact, I started volunteering with a couple organizations before returning to work part-time, to see if I could hack it.

Good luck!
Betty