Ask HN: Disabled and out of work for years, but need some side income

I've been disabled since 2018, and my skills in software as such have largely become outdated. I have high problem solving competence in general, but most modern technology stacks people are regularly using seem to be past my time. I'm willing to put some work into correcting the difference, however due to the circumstances I'm in, it would really have to quickly and effectively pay off. It can't be a "maybe useful" kind of scenario.

I've come into a situation, largely due to how awful the rent situation is in the United States, where I pretty desperately need to maximize the amount I can earn under disability (which is around $1200 a month) without losing it.

I have 8-10 years of overall experience, and regularly program as a hobby, but I have not been employed for years.

The last job I worked I primarily wrote python scripts for automating things like data entry into a CMS and other basic front-end web development features using older technology.

What can I do to actually be able to get some side income in the software space here in 2023? I've talked with a couple companies in my situation and the answers usually are along the lines of "well we can just hire a new graduate with up-to-date experience and they can work 40 hours a week for us no problem."

I'm in my early-to-mid 30s for reference. I'm not really able to get off disability as the condition is severe.

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edit: I've already reduced expenses pretty much as much as I reasonably can do of course.

I've explored other options already as well. For things like Fiverr or being hired contract-wise on websites they seem to be races to the bottom so if I'm trying to earn $1200 a month I'm really having to work quite a lot harder and more hours than I'm really currently able to do.

I have some applications I've written that generated some interest, however if I want to make any decent money off them I would have to put an extraordinarily large amount of effort into marketing and post-release diligence which may well be past what I'm currently capable of doing.

I do tutor students as well intermittenly but it doesn't get me very much.

I've written some scripts and other little projects for people I know here and there for small amounts, but it is extremely inconsistent availability even though they trust what I deliver.

It seems like finding other leads in that regard is really my only option.

Depending on the rigidity of your conscience you could whip up some buzzword laden project with "blockchain" written all over it.

Some suckers will throw money at that if you give it a colourful website with plenty of vague promises that you never have to deliver.

It's easy for me and I don't know your situation to say but try not to be so fixated on the $1200/mo. Seems to be that a solid job with Python skills could make the $1200 look small very quickly.

Replace blockchain with AI

You don't say what your disability is (or how it impacts your ability to work), so it's hard to be specific. But my general advice would be just to talk to more companies. Not every company will be open to this, but some will and you just need to find those companies. Get in contact with companies that are hiring for roles that require the kind of skills you have even if the working arrangements they're advertising aren't what you'd want.