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

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

#211

Post by Madmallard »

aws_ls wrote: post #206

You say you have problem solving competence. Then if you can do 3 easy to medium algorithmic coding problems in 1.5 hours, you do stand a chance at some remote work companies like Toptal. You may have to brush up your skills to do a mock project as well. Example React for UI and a backend language (Python/Java/Go anything really). Also you can work part time via this, its not necessarily full time. Edit: Wish you goo…

I can solve hard algorithms questions. I've worked at FAANG.

It's just not the problem unfortunately. I cannot actually work consistently due to my disability and because of the way disability is setup I cannot really work and get a 1099 or W2 or I risk losing coverage which is just entirely unacceptable right now.

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

#212

Post by Madmallard »

a_humean wrote: post #124
Neil44 wrote: post #5

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.

I think the risk here is that the nature of the disability is that they might suddenly be unable to continue working or keep up a reasonable pace of work. Many conditions are cyclical - meaning that you could be productive for a period of time, and then suddenly disabled again. It might be very difficult to get back on disability benefits after they go above that limit. This is a common trap with many disability bene…

Hit the nail on the head.

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

#215

Post by Madmallard »

dennis_jeeves1 wrote: post #112

I feel for you. Besides the obvious fact that you have a disability it also seems like overall society has shunned you . I have an acquaintance in a similar situation who can actually still code and has been out of the market for around 20 years. Nobody wants to employ him. For those who are worried about a similar fate happening to them ( yes, I'm worried). I'd say that you have to form long term alliances with cons…

I think if I wasn't so sick that it's probable I could make a living off my own software creations.

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

#216

Post by dennis_jeeves1 »

Madmallard wrote: post #215
dennis_jeeves1 wrote: post #112

I feel for you. Besides the obvious fact that you have a disability it also seems like overall society has shunned you . I have an acquaintance in a similar situation who can actually still code and has been out of the market for around 20 years. Nobody wants to employ him. For those who are worried about a similar fate happening to them ( yes, I'm worried). I'd say that you have to form long term alliances with cons…

I think if I wasn't so sick that it's probable I could make a living off my own software creations.

I presume you are indicating a business. It's not easy to pull of a software business or even contract if you have been out of touch for say 5 years. A business/contract is difficult for even healthy people if they are out of touch.

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

#217

Post by Madmallard »

dennis_jeeves1 wrote: post #216
Madmallard wrote: post #215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think if I wasn't so sick that it's probable I could make a living off my own software creations.

I presume you are indicating a business. It's not easy to pull of a software business or even contract if you have been out of touch for say 5 years. A business/contract is difficult for even healthy people if they are out of touch.

Yeah I just mean I've already had leads with multiple things like mobile game ads (SIPS, MIPS, SIP generator), NFT mint sniping (Solana), and videogame bots that I've made when desperate for money while disabled. Just seems like if I was able to put 40 hours a week on these things I'd easily be making enough to survive. But yeah of course I could be wrong about how difficult it is.

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

#218

Post by dennis_jeeves1 »

Madmallard wrote: post #217
dennis_jeeves1 wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I presume you are indicating a business. It's not easy to pull of a software business or even contract if you have been out of touch for say 5 years. A business/contract is difficult for even healthy people if they are out of touch.

Yeah I just mean I've already had leads with multiple things like mobile game ads (SIPS, MIPS, SIP generator), NFT mint sniping (Solana), and videogame bots that I've made when desperate for money while disabled. Just seems like if I was able to put 40 hours a week on these things I'd easily be making enough to survive. But yeah of course I could be wrong about how difficult it is.

I think, the obvious thing to do in such a situation if you're fairly confident,( I know you said you weren't) is to engage another underemployed coder and then share the profits. I see that you have put your contact information on your profile, hopefully someone will contact you.

By the way, speaking about this subject, I'm reminded about the War Apms : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_Amps

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

#219

Post by guhsnamih »

chrischen wrote: post #204
guhsnamih wrote: post #25

In early 40's with outdated skills, I am in the same boat except a physical disability. While development only roles have gone out of reach now, I have been able to find QA, documentation, support, generalist roles at a non-profit, academia, and an early stage startup in that order. Reached advanced interview stages with employers looking for outdated skills (Perl scripting) or in-office positions, so you might want…

Please contact me chris@instapainting.com (I also offered OP) if still looking for a job.

Thanks! I have one for the time being and I wish you good luck with your work. Best
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