So I found out about a paid medical study on body dysmorphic disorder. I have this disorder, and I have no income while I wait forever for my case to process. Long story short is that I just got off the phone with someone from the study. They told me the details of the study and asked me if I had any questions. I asked her if my participation might interfere with my SSI case, but she wasn't really sure how to answer.

Basically, here's what the study entails: It's a 3-month study with the chance to make up to $257. First, I'd have a 2-hour Zoom interview with a mental health provider. Then I'd do quickie mental health surveys four times a day. One month on, one month off, then one month on again. It might take 30 minutes a day or less once I get the Zoom meeting out of the way.

My question is this: Would my participation in this study jeopardize my SSI case? I don't want a judge or whoever to find out i did this study and say, "Look at her! She can obviously work! If she can do medical study, she can do a job!" I personally don't think that 30 minutes a day on my own time even compares to 4 hours a day on a set schedule, but obviously the judge won't think that way. And I know they're going to look at my bank records and see the checks from the study. (The study gives you a series of checks rather than one big check at the end.)

Thoughts?

Edit for clarification: I haven't actually started receiving SSI yet. I am still in the application stages. Just sent them a work history report and impairment report.