Part 1: Can I get Social Security Disability for my Bipolar Disorder?

Advice from the About Bipolar Disorder Forum Community members about applying for and getting Disability payments for manic depression.

Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.

Quotes may have been edited by the Guides for spelling, grammar or clarity.

Question from Tazmond57
I used to be able to work without any problem. Then I injured my back and then became diagnosed with BP.

After previously being able to stay in high stress, people packed LONG TERM employment, I can no longer do that. I have trouble dealing with people and am becoming more and more isolated. From 1987 to 1995 I only had 2 jobs. Since my injury and diagnosis I've had at least 8 and have trouble lasting more than 7 months. The stress of dealing with people is too much for me even though I used to love working with people. I also have problems staying professional and even tempered under stress, and that used to be my forte. Others always appreciated my coolness and clearheadedness during stress. I'm not working now because it was too much for me, but I have a son to get through college. Does anyone know what I need to do to get disability or if I even qualify?

Answer from Way
I believe the first thing that would benefit you is to talk this over with your Psych doc or your therapist to find out what the first step would be. They are the ones who would provide paperwork on the dx present and future to whatever state program you'll need. Also call your state's disability office and ask for a pamphlet on state disability and Social Security Insurance (SSI?). In this manner you'll be a mite wiser about procedures or what you can expect. I've been on SSI for 3 years now.

Answer from Holly
The truth is that SS disability is a long process, but your best ally will be the staff of SS and you doctor. Call the local social security office and talk to a representative, make an appointment, and compile your documents if you have any. An initial interview will be done with a SS representative. This begins the process which will probably be long. Most everybody is denied the first round. Usually this automatically leads to an appeal. However, in my case, my lawyer filed a request for preliminary review before an actual court hearing. My case was approved for benefits without going to a hearing before a judge, but this took two years.

SS will also pay up to $4000 (I think) in legal fees. Interview lawyers and don't limit your search to you own area. I lived in rural NM while this process went on and my lawyers were in Boston. As is all too often the case, the name on the letterhead matters. If you don't have any other sources, I can supply you the lawyers who worked with me. (My biggest problem with them is how young everybody was, but then that more and more the case everywhere).

Also key is your dr and his/her willingness to answer promptly inquiries and responding in writing to SS required reviews. This is very important.

More from Holly
Wherever you live, there has to be a legal aid or Legal Referral service, maybe the state office, etc. Use the phone book. Talk to anybody listed as an SS advocate, just don't make a commitment (i.e., sign anything) until you completely understand what is going on. Also, you are the best judge of the people involved; do you like/trust them? Ask for references and then CALL THOSE REFERENCES. It is critical to follow through.

From KS
Yes, you can get SSDI for bipolar disorder. It is a long, difficult process that takes months or even years. You usually get denied the first time and then have to proceed to a hearing. It always helps to retain an attorney and to have a psychiatrist knowledgeable in these proceedings to fill out the necessary paperwork. Getting SSDI is not a walk in the park, but it is possible.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/experience/a/sfe_ssdi_can.htm

Part 2: Applying for Disability/Filling Out Forms

Advice from the About Bipolar Disorder Forum Community members about applying for disability and tackling those sometimes bewildering government forms that have to be filled out as part of your application.

Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.

Quotes may have been edited by the Guides for spelling, grammar or clarity.

Applying for Disability

from Jerry
Though some lawyers may say it doesn't matter, it does matter that one get a good social security specialist, ask around for a local one (don't accept advertising as the truth), find people who have used local attorneys, check NAMI or other mental health organisations.
If you write well, have good back-up from your psychiatrist and therapist (having both really help, serve to corroborate one another), and maybe a psych hospitalization or two under your belt, you may be able to do it yourself with no legal fees.

When I was looking and started applying, the best attorney for disability issues in my area said he only took the cases once they had gone through the local review process. Many states and/or local agencies perform the first and second level reviews for SS Administration. If, on first pass, the state agency approves, you are in ... short delay, no fees. The second pass by the state is called a "review," not appeal. Again, if its ok'd here, just a bit more time and no attorney fees. One warning, some states have a several month period between the first review and the second on your request. It may help if you can get a hold of the person who does the second review, it probably can't be done the first time around since these things tend to be randomly assigned at the last moment.

If you have a spouse or significant other living with you and having to put up with your rants and bad ways (we have them, so 'fess up), be sure she/he includes what I will call a "sob" letter about how the illness affects you, your ability to work, how you fail to function in social and community life, how your illness has impacted your relationship with parents, siblings, her/him, and children, if any. Include the family pet if it now makes a wide circle around you on its way to the food bowl (kidding, but many reviewers are pet lovers and can be swayed).

Bad news, all this work will not help many applicants for social security disability and may not help but a very few going for SSI. For some reason, Social Security Disability Insurance is protected by the states as though it was their own money, coming direct from the state treasury. I haven't looked into the matter and maybe someone is more informed, do the states get funds for keeping the lid on SSDI payments? I mean, for over 25 years I contributed at close to the maximum from my paycheck to Social Security. I doubt that my starting to draw my disability at 48 will ever give back to me even 75 % of my contributions. But, then, I'm messing with the actuaries. Its all based upon us starting to draw, on the average, at age 65, so I'm cheating by 17 years.

My own story is brief. I got my disability without having to appeal to the SSA. My application went to the second level review at the South Carolina office in Greenville, SC. As I was about to move back to Texas, I called and found out who was reviewing my case, spoke to her, and found she had not started the review. It was near her deadline for doing so, but she wanted me to reapply in Texas ... a good way to close one of her cases. Convinced her not to and strongly suggested she read all supporting material, especially the letter my wife wrote. Apparently, that made an impression, I got my award three months later, along with an $11,000 check and without attorney fees. The money helped us buy our home ... equally great because home price in the Houston market were 75% and less than in Greenville so we were able to find a much larger home for the same amount we had been paying in rent.

Filling Out the Forms
from Holly

The SS disability application forms ask questions and supply a space for answers. Since there is a space, one would think that the answer should be put in that form. Not necessarily so! I used an attachment referring back to the question, and cross-referencing in the space provided.

I believe that this more careful approach helped me get benefits. I used my computer for this, but you could just as well use plain paper in a CLEAR HANDWRITING. Make it as easy as possible for the reviewer to read the information and to understand you need. On the form I entered, "See page 1, attached, for Question 1" or whatever the correct connection would be.

The answers will go though several versions. A dump first with everything you can think of. Put it aside for a day or so before going back to fill in holes and cut out unnecessary words. I pulled together reference materials for particular questions. By now you're on a second or third version of your answers. Go through the answers over and over, each time making your presentation clearer and clearer. After you decide you are happy with your answers, ask someone you trust to review the answers. Even your doc can be of help here. Having him/her read your answers can also help make sure his/her responses to SS inquiries [will] correspond to what you are telling them.
Try to have the final attached pages, with their references to the questions, attached and in the correct order. These answer should be as free of mistakes as possible before you submit them to SS. These people work hard, and they see lots of forms, many of which are almost useless to their evaluation, because the directions were not followed or the handwriting cannot be read. Make their jobs as easy as possible with complete information: names, addresses, phone numbers, correct dates, and clear, simple responses to their questions. This is the old "your best foot forward" approach. It works.

from Jerry

The space on the form, which can be very intimidating in itself for those not familiar with governmental forms, is very limited and, as we all know, we could write books about just two weeks of our bipolar lives. The more information about each question you give, the better your chances. I tried the fill in the blank method and gave up after the third question. Typically, I averaged a page to page and one-half for each question. That may sound long, but give yourself credit, its your illness and who knows it best?

As one who spent twenty years in government, writing government grant applications and fulfilling reporting requirements, enough cannot be said about making sure each question on the disability application is answered to its fullest. Don't think these things are decided by scale weight and never read. Some of the thinnest get funded, the heaviest are thrown out. Content is important, but I also think that early application approval has as as much to do with the sincerity of the person when answering the forms. The folk reviewing the applications ain't stupid. Some might not care much, but they can see holes. If you can work, but don't want to, you had better be a very good writer and bullshi---. I've spent enough time reviewing and checking out applications of a similar nature to tell you it doesn't take much time in the job to begin to recognize crap. Besides, its [those] folks who make it so difficult for those who really need the assistance. That especially holds true for SSI benefits. Those dollars are very precious resources and, when stretched tight, benefits tend to get reduced. That includes both monetary and medical benefits.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/experience/a/sfe_ssdi_apply.htm

Part 3: Appeals and Attorneys

Advice from our forum members about submitting more information during the appeal process, and what to expect and demand from your attorney and his/her assistants.

Please be aware that these responses constitute the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.

Quotes may have been edited by the Guides for spelling, grammar or clarity.

Appeals
from Jerry
As for providing more information, I don't believe there is a time limit for that. Unfortunately, the process is designed to discourage one from persisting with the appeals. If your case is at the Social Security Administrative level, you may want to check to see if there is a time limit for the hearings. Even with a time limit, you will probably find that it can be waived, and most are...

My suggestion to you is to obtain an application form, go through the form, answer each question with as much truthfulness and in detail as needed, and call Social Security to make sure you can submit new material. Along with the information (you shouldn't even need to submit the application, just the information, and leave out the name rank and serial number stuff), talk to your shrink and therapist, asking for additional documentation to shore up your application, especially if anything has changed, such as new hospitalization(s), problems with medications, condition worsening, change to a more rapid cycling type of behavior, suicide attempts (don't make any just to get disability), and whatever. Also, back-up information from loved ones, if any are left :), about how your condition continues to interfere with your life and ability to hold a job (that should also be included in any information provided by your doc/therapist), and especially how your condition interferes with the family will help.


Attorneys
more from Jerry

I wouldn't worry too much about the para-legal handling things, they usually do in law firms handling lots of SSDI cases. Lots of times that's to your advantage. A good SSDI para-legal tends to keep up with changes in the law and the way appeals are handled in his/her area. The only time to worry comes if you sense nothing is happening and, upon request, you cannot get a face to face meeting with the attorney. I don't care how busy they are, a good attorney will meet with a client about his/her case.
Keep in mind, though, that this is your life, your SSDI application, and will be your income. The more you do to help yourself, whether through your actions are and advocate working for you, the better off you are. In Texas, the state mental health agency even encourages its clients to seek out SSDI and SSI, knowing that financial problems lead to many other difficulties for those of us with mood disorders. I don't know that they offer much help, but at least they provide the information that the assistance is out there.

Answers from a Forum Community member to four questions asked by another member regarding bipolar disorder and Social Security Disability.

Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow the link at the beginning.

This post has been considerably edited by the Guide to present the answers in a clearer order than was originally written, and for any necessary spelling/grammar changes as always, but the content remains otherwise the same.

from Jerry, in response to questions from Tigerfish

Does it matter what type of bipolar disorder you are applying for SSDI for?
No, what matters is that it prevents you from working.

I have been diagnosed with BPII, I described a full manic episode to my doctor more than a year ago at a time when I have been off meds.

My new pdoc told me that I was having a mixed episode about 1 month ago.
Reading the DSM-IV, I now know that my diagnosis should be switched to BPI since I have had a mixed and full manic episode. I have also always had a rapid cycling specifier which indicates poorer prognosis. Does SSI take this into account?

Social Security reads the doctor's records and support letters. As for reading the DSM-IV, while I'm a great believer in obtaining as much information as possible about one's illness, its not always a big help. Even shrinks disagree with the descriptions and most are general enough that your can fit yourself into several. As far as whether its better to be BP I or BP II from SSA's viewpoint, I doubt it matters. It's the supporting documentation in regard to your ability to work.

Anyone else out there with a second diagnosis of ADD or ADHD?
I am ADD, it may or may not help, depending if it contributes to your not being able to work. ADHD, in particular, can easily be shown as making it difficult for one to work, but not always, just like BP.

How does SS decide when the age of onset is for BP? This determination helps decide if you are eligible for SS as well as SSDI. The DSM-IV says it generally appears during adolescence. I have record of a suicide attempt at 16/17. Would that determine age of onset? Would my doctor give an age (guess)? Or do I just give it myself?
Age of onset is not a concern for SSA. It's whether, for SSDI, if you have worked enough documented quarters. For SSI, if your mental illness prevents your working, then you usually are eligible to apply.

I was 48 when I made my claim. It does seem to matter if your are in your 20's or 30's and don't have much in a documented history of the disease affecting your ability to work. Also, it's cost containment, though I'm not sure that's always true. If I had made my claim the first time I had 40 quarters, my monthly payments would probably be 40% of what I get now.

You can provide the information, but have a doctor back it up, either by stating it as self-reported or as being the doctor that attended you then (the latter is the stronger case). The more information you provide (truthful, that is) the better, it helps you and your attorney if you need one.

Does anyone else have little documented in the way of hospitalizations, suicide attempts, and manic episodes?

While all of these make for a stronger case, its not an absolute in getting disability. Persons who either have major depressive disorder or Bipolar, depressed type can get disability if your documentation from medical sources, therapist, etc., are strong enough.

In general a lot of my manic episodes/suicide attempts have not been documented. After the suicide attempt my mother told me to lie and say that I was experimenting with drugs. That would be considered "normal."

My hospital records say drug overdose and cite difficulty at home. (Bentyl) Do hospitals usually mention suspected suicide attempts in reports? Or could my mother have asked the doctor to not mention that in the report?

My mother/family were in denial and I had no one in my life that realized that my behavior was abnormal let alone have me admitted.

I know that the ER doctor told her that any one who had taken that many pills, wanted to die. She always attributed to cries for attention. To this day she won't mention the word "bipolar."

I have bipolar disorder on my father's side, a great deal of substance abusers in the family and an aunt who is schizoaffective (great stock, we are). Would this help my case? Although documentation might still be a problem because denial also runs in my family.

All of this is useful information, though if not labeled bipolar or another mental illness, not as helpful as otherwise. But a history of drug abuse as recorded by the ER, a family history of substance abuse and family illness of mental illness, if documented, can't hurt. Whether it helps, I don't know.

Denial is common in families, so much of your case as it concerns information from your family may need to be self-reporting and/or you digging up the facts. A family history of mental illness means little when it comes to whether the family is a good one. Like all illnesses, it doesn't always hit all family members. As for your mother, like many parents, she may need to go with you to visit the shrink and/or your therapist. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about, especially now that we know much of the problem is body chemistry.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/experience/a/sfe_ssdi_4q_2.htm

Advice from our forum members about what to do if your adult child needs your assistance in order to obtain Social Security Disability benefits for manic depression.

Please be aware that these responses constitute the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.

Quotes may have been edited by the Guides for spelling, grammar or clarity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from Holly, answering LoraineS
Loraine said: How does a loving and caring family get the patient calm and cooperative long enough to complete the processes for financial and medical aide? ... [my daughter's] drastic mood swings hour to hour have prevented her from working with her Doctors or her family. ... We cannot get her stable enough to follow through to complete the processes needed to get her help.
You can check this out with you local SS office, but there is a way for a representative of the patient to go through the process for them if they are not able. I do not know if this means a custodial agreement or not but it is a question for SS.

Did you know SS has a website with all kinds of info? It is http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Use one of the search engines like http://www.AskJeeves.com and ask your questions. The engine will go out and find applicable sources.

Best source of accurate info is SS or a lawyer. The lawyer could help about any legal requirements so that you could handle the process for her.

from Sheez1
My son goes to the local mental health center in this city. They connected him with an advocate that does nothing but help fill out forms to apply for SSI. She used to work for the social security office so she knows what they look for. My son was accepted and received a response after a couple of months and now receives social security benefits monthly based on his past earnings. He also received SSDI but they stopped the payments because he made to much on his social security. Get an advocate from you local mental health department to fill out your forms for you. Forget about paying a attorney unless you have extra time and money to put on one. I don't know why there isn't more info on this for people because I hear about the years it takes and the horror stories about being turned down on multiple occasions. My son is manic depressive and is 22 years old. He receives $1,015.00 a month based on his past earnings. I would encourage all people to please call your local office for mental health and get hooked up with an advocate that knows how to cut through the red tape.........Good Luck.

http://bipolar.about.com/library/qa/bl-qa-disability-child.htm

From About Bipolar Disorder Forum Community members, more words of wisdom, stories of successful applications for benefits, and other encouragement from people who have obtained and lived on Social Security Disability.

Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.

Quotes may have been edited by the Guides for spelling, grammar or clarity.

from Karene10
I was fired from 2 jobs for being BP.

My counselor suggested I go to my local Social Security office. They gave me the info. It took quite a while and they first turned me down, but I appealed and finally won. I am now working part time at a job I love and have the support of my fellow workers.

from Makee88
I was able to get disability starting last year. They went back to last job I was fired from in 1985. It is based on my SS contributions and my deceased husband's. They also paid for one back year. I did not use an attorney. Instead I filed with a compiled list of hospitalizations (over 15 in over 20 yrs.). Also listed all the jobs I had been fired from.

from Cathartic1
I am 46 years old and just received SSDI on my first try without lawyers (approved in 3 months). Received it for PTSD and BP. I haven't worked since 1997 because of these illnesses, and used to run a corporate graphic design department. Today I wonder if I will ever go back to work. I am having problems getting stabilized on meds and have tried numerous kinds. Have an excellent pdoc and am not giving up. I was ashamed and humiliated to be on SSDI at first, however, today I am so grateful that I have assistance. Of course, I am fortunate to have a spouse with an income, also. If you do decide to apply, have good records and a good doctor. Best wishes for your health and happiness.

from TLRK
I went on Social security disability after leaving a state hospital. SSDI isn't all bad. It gives you the time to take a break. when your ready you can still work a bit. You can earn up to $700.00 a month. After two years you are able to get Medicare ... While waiting for the two years there are programs through most "welfare" programs that will assist in paying for medications or contacting the manufacturer of the drugs you are on; most have assistance programs and will send you free medications.

from Phil
I am on SSDI ... It became necessary after I could no longer carry on my day to day life as a result of this illness ... I don't think you should be ashamed or afraid to to go on SSDI. Like cancer or diabetes, what you suffer from IS an illness ... There REALLY is no blame to place, and as long as your are taking your meds, you are doing all that you can.

It does take time to get the ball rolling with Social Security. Plan on spending some time waiting for a decision, even though it may be more than evident to you and your Physician that you qualify ... This is a big organization that we are dealing with (SS), and 9 months or so could pass before you get an answer. You might even get turned down the first time. I did, but upon the advice from my Dr, reapplied and finally got accepted.

Once you are accepted, it is tough for you to lose it, so it is worth the time you take going through the process. If you feel too overwhelmed by the whole thing, ask your counselor to help you with the details.

from Llark1
After having read through the previous 17 messages, I'd like to say that SSDI is NOTHING to be ashamed of. We are ill, and if we can't work because of it, then we are disabled. That's what SSD is there for. This is NOT welfare. If you have worked in the past, you have paid into the system, the system being exactly the same as Social Security benefits for those over 65. You have also paid tax to Medicare, so if you receive that down the road, that is certainly not a "dole." Please do not feel ashamed! And, personally, since I receive SSDI, I feel sort of criticized by some of you who think it's "giving up" or something like that.

My application was approved in 3 months, largely because of my age (55 at the time) True, it is very common to get turned down on the first try, but nearly everyone will succeed upon appeal. I know exactly what some of you say about wondering what mistake you're going to make today at work, etc. The stress of trying to make it through the work day and "faking it" is probably just making your illness worse. The best medicine by far for bp is limiting stress (second only to good sleeping). I simply could not work and stay sane. To me, SSD wasn't giving up; it was advocating for and treating myself in a positive way in order to have a better quality of life

more from Sheez1
My son is 22 and bipolar. He has spent time the the hospital on a couple of occasions and since he has not been able to hold a job we applied for social security for him with an advocate that helped fill out his application to apply. They sent me (mom) and my son a form to fill out which was very painful but, we managed to do it. This was will everyone telling us we would be turned down and he would have to appeal blah blah blah. God worked a miracle and we just found out this week his social security caseworker qualified him. This was applied for and forms sent back in may. His caseworker also informed him that he would qualify for state disability and told him to apply.

He also received his medical card this week. God does hear our prayers. I don't know if he will qualify for state disability but, the social security caseworker seems to think so. We have also been told he can get subsidized housing. This is great for someone like him so he doesn't have to worry about what would happen to him if I wasn't here. This has been such a fear for him.

from oakgiraffes
Applying for Social Security Disability is a tedious effort of just keeping up with the paper work. In my case, when I applied, I was so sick, I couldn't get dressed, couldn't get out of the house, I thought the depression and anxiety were going to kill me alone. I called social security for the paperwork. They wanted an interview at their office but since I was unable to do that, they conducted a phone interview with me. I believe the real key to obtaining SSD is answering all their paperwork as thoroughly and promptly as possible.

My husband helped me with a lot of my original paperwork. You are going to need your entire work history and mental history to share with them.

I never used an attorney and I won without an appeal. I really didn't even have the cooperation of a doctor. I was lucky enough for someone to tell me about SSD, I did not know such a thing existed. I figured what the heck, what more did I have to lose. I knew I couldn't keep working and stay sane, I kept quitting or getting fired because I was in no state of mind to be handling employment. I've never looked at a doctor's assistance for SSD, as telling them they are a failure at getting me well. Many of us have to learn different ways of living. SSD does not mean the end of your life and you have paid into it. Your illness is no less severe than anyone else that may be eligible. It is your money and you've earned that compensation!! Many people told me not to apply, that I'd trash my life in the process. Course those that told me that, hadn't been through what I had been through! Nor are these same people in my life today, enjoying my wellness and almost sound mind.

from deborah6230
I had to give up my job, and go out on SSDI, I no longer want to kill myself - I miss working but instead I take classes at the local college and university to improve my intellect and to try to keep me somewhat sharp - my income is low now so I am eligible for free tuition and free books because I am on SSDI - I am vital - I am caring - sometimes we with BP have all we can do to just get through the day - I have simplified my life.

more from deborah6230
after working from age 17-45, I had to go out of SSDI because of my BP - the transition from a good pay check to SSDI has been riveting - so many times I have felt embarrassed about being on disability - thank you for reminding me that I am taking care of myself and that it is OK to get SSDI.

from Tami
I started getting SSI and DI this past may, and let me tell you it's a pain to get. Once you get it, though, it can be an excellent tool to get back on your feet. Don't let other people or the thought of other people dictate your self-worth. You're not damaged goods, and bipolar has never made anyone a less valuable person.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/experience/a/sfe_ssdi_hope.htm