I Need Advice On Filing For Disability For Bipolar Disorder?

Question

Hello-
My husband was diagnosed with bipolar (manic-depressive illness) about 4 years ago. It has progressed and has gotten much, much worse. He can no longer work, perform basic daily tasks, or even talk on the phone. I need to file for disability benefits, but I am wondering the best way to do it. I've done some research and have completed the online application (although I didn't send it yet). I want to make sure we do this right. We are flat broke and can't get a lawyer. I need advice, suggestions, thoughts. Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

I am currently on SSDI, SSI and Medi-care, plus I receive SSI for my 2 kids. I am Bi-polar. I have no other diagnosis. I needed only a good psychiatrist, along with the proper documentation, to become eligible for Social Security. I would go to the Social Security office in person, rather than do anything online. You do not need a lawyer. If your husband qualifies, he may need a payee,(you ), to receive his checks for him. I am surprised he hasn't already been disabled by his psychiatrist. You are going to have to be his voice, as he cannot fight for himself. Is he on any meds? such as Lithium or Depakote? I am curious as to how this plays out. Go ahead and e-mail me if you've any more questions.
[e-mail]. Good Luck

Answer 2

Once you complete the online application, they will send you a packet of questions that are very similar to the ones you already answered. Once that is complete, and a few months has passed, you will get a denial letter. Then you need to see a lawyer (keep reading, I know what your thinking) to help you with the appeal. Yes it is possible to do it yourself, but I wouldn't recommend that. About that lawyer - you do not have to pay anything up front. If your case is approved, you will receive a lumpsum payment that is back dated to when your husband last worked minus a few months. The lawyer takes a portion of this payment. If your appeal is denied, then the lawyer gets nothing.

While you are waiting on SSD - the process could take over a year, you may be eligible for SSI. That is usually around $600 a month or somthing rediculously low like that, but it's better than nothing. That only takes a few months to get.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Oh, boy, do I ever know what that's like!
Lawyers don't take money up front for SSDI or SSI claims. They get 1/3 of the retroactive award once your husband wins his case. One-third of the total is the maximum allowed by law.
Applying is rather complicated, as the questionnaires are repetitive and somewhat tricky. Enlist the help of his therapist to sort out the questions and answers.
Just about everyone (about 80%) gets denied twice, and will have an administrative hearing before a judge. Be sure that the report from his psychiatrist is very specific about the reasons he can't work. The Social Security Administration will send him to one of their own contract psychiatrists for another evaluation. The one I got was a total idiot, examined me for 30 minutes, and claimed I could work. Fortunately, my lawyer knew he writes almost the same report for every patient, and argued this to the judge, who disallowed it. The judge read my doctor's report and based my award on it.
They also have a vocational rehab specialist who analyzes what job, if any, that he would be able to do with his education and training.
Speaking of which, get him evaluated by your state department of rehabilitation. That way, you can say it was tried, but it was not successful. The SSA typically expects a trial work period. You can talk this over with the state voc rehab case worker.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I can guarantee you that you will be turned down at least three times. Make sure your husband's records are available for the disability claims people. There are some lawyers that help you work through this process a lot better. Many times they will not charge you if they win. If you have no money, go to your courthouse and ask for the Legal Aid Department. These lawyers do this for free. That is what they are for.

You will receive many new forms from SS once you have applied. I really hope you get it because I can tell you need it. I applied five years ago for something other than depression and was turned down three times and I did not pursue it further and now have injuries that prevent me from working any longer.

Please continue to pursue no matter what.

Answer 5

First of all, you do not NEED a lawyer. I hired and fired two different ones before finally getting approved on my own. (I, too, am bipolar, amongst other things.) They did NOTHING to help me, I had to do all of the work on my own anyway and I thought that was ridiculous. I did use the help of a disability advocate...he knew the system inside and out...I went to him for advice several times. He worked at a non-profit agency that advocates for people with disabilities...his help was completely free. I would highly recommend looking into whether or not there is someone like this available in your area. I'm not saying don't get a lawyer...it is the most helpful way for a lot of people... It just did not work out that way in my experience.

If you do use a lawyer, like others have said, they do not get paid up front. They get 1/3 of your retroactive payment usually. The payment goes back to the day you apply, so apply ASAP.

It was a very long, very frustrating, very confusing process...it took me 6 years in total to get approved, despite the fact that I was clearly disabled according to their criteria and had a very long history (beginning in very early childhood) to back it up. The mental health clinic repeatedly sent them no information and social security themselves misplaced my file for an entire year (they "forgot" to send it to the main office in Albany), so clearly there was a lot of incompetence going on.

It's true almost everyone gets denied the first time. Then you appeal and often get denied again. After that it goes to the hearing, which sounds far more intimidating than it really is. They will have your husband see their psychiatrist for one maybe hour long visit, who will be completely useless in helping you most likely. I ended up seeing their doctor a total of 3 times, I think, because the whole process got dragged on for so long.

What is going to be most important are the medical records and the work history. They need proof that the disability has been going on for a while, that is makes gainful employment impossible and that it is going to last at least a year.

My advice is to stay on top of things. Call SS, make sure things are getting processed. Make sure they are getting the info they are requesting. When (if) you get denied, immediately file the appeal.

While I waited to get on SSI/SSDI, I had to go on public assistance through the department of social services. This gave me cash assistance towards rent (although the amount they give is a total joke...nobody can survive on it), food stamps and medicaid (both of which I continue to get now.) It was a very difficult and very depressing time, but I could not have gotten through the wait without it. I was approved for SSI before SSDI, but still, even that took years.

Good luck. Stick with it. The system is designed to make you want to give up, but when a person really needs benefits, they are entitled to receive them...that is what the system is there for in the first place.

Answer 6

I can't advise on the filing process, but I can empathize with what you're going through, as I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and at times, have been completely disabled by the illness.

Bipolar Disorder is the 6th leading cause of disability in the world, according to the world health organziation. On that basis, you should have a legitimate claim to disability benefits.

That's purely speculative, based on conventional wisdom. I would advise that you liase with someone from your husbands HR organization or if he's not working, your local DSS (department of social services) office.

Your husband can live a healthy life with bipolar disorder, if it gets treated properly.

Good luck to both of you.

Answer 7

First, the bad news: he will most likely be denied the first time around. This happens to EVERYBODY, so don't get discouraged! (My therapist told me this..) Aside from that, you will have to do a lot of running around before he can qualify. It is a time-consuming process, but well worth it, as the benefits are retroactive and he will get a large lump sum before the monthly payments adjust themselves. Just be prepared for that initial rejection; instructions for an appeal should be on the back of the rejection letter.

Answer 8

I have it too and got disability by going to the hospital twice and having major depression and OCD with it. I wasn't declined but once, which is normal, but had no lawyer. Good luck....Sometimes you need to find other "disorders" to go along with it and go to a Psyche ward a couple of times. Good luck.

Answer 9

I am assuming you are in the USA. If so call Social Security and ask them, that's what they are there for. If he is military retired, he may have an opportunity for benefits from them also. If that is the case, call VA.

I'm sure there will have to be confirmation from Doctors.

Good Luck.

Answer 10

You need to get a lawyer. They will automatically deny your application the first time you file it. Get an attorney.