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I'm lucky enough that I'd be able to just continue to do what I currently do, and write code.

Anything on the phone and or computer.

There are also services in 1st world countries that help you get setup

Anything from Programming to helpdesk to customer service to ASMR and anything else in between is possible.

You can do it. This is good first step to ask.

If you can divulge your country and or state there may be people on Lemmy who can direct you to specific resources

You file for government disability. Hopefully during the filing process you can struggle through survival for a few years because the govt disability filing process takes a few years until MAYBE being approved, but everyone is always denied the first time, then you have to appeal and go through the several years process again. This is one reason why so many people are homeless by the way.

One of my disabled friends does tech writing. Basically takes the documents the nerds make and wordsmith it so its understandable by laymen. IDK what it takes to get into that field now though. But it is something that might help give some ideas :)

Job #1 is researching all available disability programs you can apply for.

Aight. Since you are in California, get connected with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). In a general nutshell, their main goal is to help people with disabilities get gainful permanent employment.

You will need verification of disability and from your attempt at claims you don't have any, but any disability will work to include anxiety that raises to the level of disability, depression, anything already verified by medical professionals.

They can also provide funding for college to help you get a job. They can pay for tuition, fees, parking passes, school materials.

Also I think all states have a department similar to DOR.

I feel you friend, this isn't a hypothetical for me either. That's literally just my life now. I used to work delivery, 12+ hour days walking 10+ miles per day. Buy after a dog attack standing for more than an hour a day just flat out hurts. Enough that I can't really focus on anything productive. Thankfully I can still cook and tidy up while my partner makes enough to support us.

Mostly I read. Libby was an absolute game changer for me. I spend too much time on lemmy for sure, but it is what it is. I wish I had a better answer for you friend.

What do you do to earn a living and survive?

No working anymore. I retire. Social security will take care of me.

(Things may be different in your country).

Pirate a CAD program, learn how to use it, then pay for the certification test.

After passing, you apply for CAD designer jobs or do Freelance CAD. You'll have a leg up on everyone else if you have that certification. Many of these jobs are remote and don't require college.

CAD programs may seem daunting at first, but they are actually pretty straightforward. If you can do basic math and play video games, you can do CAD.

there was a guy 25+ years ago who was drunk driving and got in a big accident. ended up quadriplegic, and killed a couple leaving an orphan behind. he devoted his life to making up for it. he got a job as a financial advisor, cold calling strangers 200+ times a day, dialing with his face, until eventually he made like $7Million at UBS.

I work in an office typing on a keyboard all day. I could easily do this job from home.

Any job that fits that description will suit you. There are quite a few of them nowadays.

Programming (React, JavaScript, Python and anything AI are hot and tend to pay well once you're in the industry), 3D Modelling, 3D Animation, Game Development, Digital Design, IT / InfoSec work (may need a few certificates to be competitive), Call Taker (these can be brutal, but good companies exist).

If you're able to walk around somewhat and can sit for very long periods of time, truck driving may be an option (again, depending on your disability specifically). Truck driving is in extremely high demand and pays pretty well, and may even hook you up with hotel rooms if you get the right benefits. You will need to be able to sit in one spot and drive for many hours sometimes though, like 12+ hours.

Writing is also an option, as is drop shipping / starting a print-on-demand company on Etsy (though these will take a while to get rolling).

It's not a mystery what you can do to earn a living. Anything that is remote desktop work is your beat bet.

This is what I would do as a EU citizen.

Step 1. Register at the unemployment office.

Step 2. Have a meeting with the unemployment office and see what they have for you.

Step 3. While they help you find work you are capable of doing. You will recieve a social benefit check each month. It's not much. But you will survive.

Step 4. Go to the interviews they set up for you.

Step 5. Repeat Step 4 until you have a job.

Work from home customer service

This can't help in the short term, I would consider learning steno. It used to cost thousands to rent specialized equipment to do it. Now with Plover (foss), the software component is free. You just need a keyboard with n-key rollover to do it.

I wouldn't actually recommend learning on a standard keyboard. I personally use an ortholinear for typing, and that's what got me into plover.

One way this would help one disabilities to make money is that with high-speed internet, you can caption internet broadcasts or remote company meetings. There are nonprofits that you would work for to find companies that need your service.

I would collect my disability check and make use of a government sponsored caregiver in a government provided apartment. No I'm not from the US.

In that situation I would try to be a vtuber.

I'm told what typically takes place is that the person ends up on disability and works a part time call center style job though.

Edit: might wanna check with your local churches to see if they have a support network you can lean on if you're ok with religion.

I continue designing and making websites.

I could continue my current job, working from home as a software developer.

Arts come to mind immediately: drawing (mainly furry porn), modelling/sculpting (3D or clay), painting (painting minis for nerds is more lucrative than painting canvases), music, writing.

Programming and web design also don't require physical labor other than you being able to type on a keyboard or equivalent.

There's also video content you could try, either as creator or editor. Video editing is a skill needed by both big time and internet creators

IT work from home. You can get certs and take courses almost completely online and you can do it relatively quickly

Edit: A degree is also not mandatory as long as you have some certifications

For me personally, either WFH UX research or teaching asynchronous college classes online.

Trick question: I am and have already given up.

There's a company that uses robots, controlled remotely by severely disabled people, to be servers in a restaurant. I'd probably do that.

That's my reality with Long Covid. But by now I can't even function at home. I moved back to my parents who provide me with food and handle my paperwork.

If you have the puppet manipulation technique you could transmit your self into a mechanical robot that fights cursed spirits - or even become a baseball server!

I lived this for years.

First, you'll want to look into government disability support. The specifics will vary wildly depending where you are, but it's probably your most useful resource. For me, along with the money, they had tailored support for finding work I could do.

They ended up finding me a part time, WFH call center job. There were incentives for the employer to take me because of my disability and assistance (including financial) for setting me up for it. It was still extremely hard but the disability support checked in on me regularly to help me through it.

Before that, there are plenty of ways to make money online. Too many to list. If you've got the basic skills, the equipment and you're still able to function enough it's worth trying.

There is also going to be a variety of various charity and government support programs for people with disabilities, low income earners, etc. with the specifics depending on where you are. The harsh reality is surviving will mean learning to swallow your pride and enduring shame. Don't just look for "disability" support, take anything you might be applicable for. Make sure to look through every level of government you might come under as they aren't unified and can be difficult to find.

Community groups can be an invaluable resource. If there are ones that might apply to you - whether it be around ethnicity, sexuality, religion, whatever - you can find a wealth of assistance. At the very least they're going to have some free food.

Programming with a handheld keyboard/mouse combo. When my depression gets the better of me, I can still get a passable amount of work done lying down in bed.

I don't struggle with disability like that, but I was job searching recently and found local job counselling to be extremely useful at helping me figure out how to approach new industries and positions when I felt completely lost doing so myself.

They would (hopefully) have good, up to date knowledge on what the local job market is like, and I would figure they'd have some insight into what would be available for someone in your position as well. Would probably be worth seeing if your city or county offers anything of the sort.