Most people, including those who have been diagnosed bipolar, don’t like to think of themselves as disabled, especially given the fact that people with bipolar disorder often tend to be over achievers. During severe episodes of depression or mania, however, dealing with the illness can make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to hold down a job, at least until you’re able to achieve some mood stability.
During these often debilitating mood episodes, it doesn’t hurt to have some disability pay flowing your way – in the form of Social Security disability payments – to tide you over. You may wonder, however, whether you qualify for social security disability. Here’s the five-step process that the SSA uses to determine whether a person is disabled:
From SSA’s Listing of Impairments: Mental Disorders (Adult), Affective Disorders
Affective disorders: Characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life; it generally involves either depression or elation.
The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are satisfied.
A. Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one of the following:
- Depressive syndrome characterized by at least four of the following:a. Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities; orb. Appetite disturbance with change in weight; or
c. Sleep disturbance; or
d. Psychomotor agitation or retardation; or
e. Decreased energy; or
f. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness; or
g. Difficulty concentrating or thinking; or
h. Thoughts of suicide; or
i. Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking; or
- Manic syndrome characterized by at least three of the following:a. Hyperactivity; orb. Pressure of speech; or
c. Flight of ideas; or
d. Inflated self-esteem; or
e. Decreased need for sleep; or
f. Easy distractibility; or
g. Involvement in activities that have a high probability of painful consequences which are not recognized; or
h. Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking; or
- Bipolar syndrome with a history of episodic periods manifested by the full symptomatic picture of both manic and depressive syndromes (and currently characterized by either or both syndromes);
AND
B. Resulting in at least two of the following:
1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or
2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or
3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or
4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration;
OR
C. Medically documented history of a chronic affective disorder of at least 2 years’ duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:
1. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or
2. A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate; or
3. Current history of 1 or more years’ inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement.
To find out more about how the Social Security Administration determines who qualifies and does not qualify for disability, you can check out its publication 64-039: Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (also known as the Blue Book). This publication “has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health professionals with an understanding of the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration. It explains how each program works, and the kinds of information a health professional can furnish to help ensure sound and prompt decisions on disability claims.”
Information about how to apply for disability benefits is also available on the Internet at the following address: www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.html.
Related Posts
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
From Psych Central's Dr. Candida Fink & Joe Kraynak:
» Filing for Social Security Disability Benefits - Bipolar Beat (November 18, 2008)
I was fired from 4 jobs in two years after being able to work successfully my entire life. My bipolar became debilitating and I applied for disability and WON. It took four months which I hear is a miracle because so many people are denied, need attorneys, and can take up to 2 years. I am lucky. Don’t give up if you need disability. That money is yours…you put money into social security and you deserve it.
Hi, I’m a former disability examiner for social security and I just wanted to add something to this regarding the statement “If you are working and your earnings average more than $900 per month after allowable deductions, you generally will not be considered disabled.”
This refers to something known as SGA or substantial gainful activity. This amount does serve as an eligibility cutoff (gross monthly earned income); however, the amount actually changes each year. It was $900 in 2007, but it changed to $940 for 2008 and $980 for 2009. Just to clarify in case someone reads this years from now and thinks the amount is still $900.
In my last job, I met two people that told me that it is hell trying to apply for disability benefits. “Everyone, regardless of disability, gets denied on the first go around.”
For one of my former colleagues whose wife has multiple sclerosis, has been battling the social security office for 5 years and counting. They just keep denying her saying that she does not have multiple sclerosis.
I applied for BP1 SSDI by myself no lawyer. Law firms take 20% of backdated award and first month’s check and you still have to do an awful lot of the work yourself.Many firms won,t take you unless you’ve been denied first time around. Approved Got first check in 14 weeks. Plus check of almost $30K for 2 years’ backdated disability. Current check is $1923.
Everything you need to know on ssa.gov website. Say 5 times to self. Read and study, study POMS. Their definition of severe and impairment and how to specifically give examples to make your case - but only will work if 1) Work History supports, 2) Dr’s Letter supports. Then it is yr turn. After you have qualified on work history parameters.
SSA not interested in how sick you are per se. Interested in whether or not condition keeps you from working.Say 10 times to self.
Joe’s correct in what he published, but 1st scroll up on SSA site and read about duration of work and recency of work to onset of disability. Then get your SSA Earnings Report. Don,t stress over medical issues until and unless you find you are eligible to apply. Many denials are due to folks not being work-eligible. Then be brutally honest does yr current pdoc really want you to get SSDI??? The letter from the “Treating Doctor” is absolutely key in BPD. No labs, scans, surgeries, procedures, biopsies, chemotherapies etc. Some pdocs favorable to SS some not. May depend on their own age, or sex, race, class prejudices also thoughts about “welfare”. SSD not welfare It’s the FICA on yr paycheck. Change MD ASAP. Without a very strong, detailed, letter by a pdoc who knows what SS is looking for - your chances are slim to none. Supporting letter from PhD ok, other therapists won’t count for much usually. Study POMS for weeks before you write yr application. Do not rush through it. No matter what the social worker, welfare office, your mom says. If SS wants a phone interview first - get the form beforehand fill it all out, take your time. Set a time that’s good for you, Practice,Your answers are being permanently recorded. You will get a copy afterward. It’s not a casual conversation. And you don’t want it to contradict your actual full-blown app. I’d get a paper app and copy it may times to work on the various sections. Take as many extra pages as you need to answer each Q completely. Work History section yours should correspond to SSA’s. They will not contact yr supervisor.
It probably will be emotional and overwhelming process. so be kind to yourself and take it in chunks. But this is not the time to put a good face on things! If you are socially isolated, can’t take or give supervision, have run out of the workplace in a panic attack every wk, If you’ve been fired, demoted, denied promotion, placed on disciplinary action, tell them about it. Use brief sort of unemotional responses throughout, like a resume.tell them. Substance abuse discussion by you or dr are an automatic denial in some jurisdictions. Q Need for new dr? No, I have never abused substances - just passing along info. Only you can say, But read up on it in POMS. A SSA Work History described above counts infinitely more than 6 hospitalizations and 4 serious suicide attempts, terrible med SE, hideous divorce, dysfuctional kids and so on. I’m not being mean. These are the SSA facts of life. I’ve had the latter myself - but didn’t go into - knew SSA not interested,
After 3 1/2yrs, I got an 8 item questionnaire to fill out - which means, I researched this thoroughly, that SSA had determined I had less than 1.5% chance of no longer being disabled. Got a letter back, recertifying disabled. No phone call, no office visit, no dr exam - another reason why the 1st application is everything. Treat it like getting a job or making the most impt investment of yr life. It’s really, really hard. and costly to try to fix it later.
The cherry on the cake is Medicare. Never, ever get discouraged. don’t believe what you read on disability dot com sites. They want your 20%. Being able to buy a decent car for cash, pay 6 month rent&get decent apt (no credit), wake up in the am and know my bill are paid, and along with medigap - no health care bills is worth 3, or is it 30 pharmacies of meds. I am only taking 3 now, not 8 and the doses are lower.
SSI has the same disability determination process, but is a federal-state program for people who have no or not enough work history for SSD. Recipients are supervised by the tlocal welfare dept, there are tight asset limits, household earning limits and monthly payments about $650 I think. Peron does get medicaid. But an 18 going to work can make household ineligible. If the program someone qualifies for because of work history,is SSI, then what about yr assets? Then what about total household income? Is $650/mo worth all this if you still qualify? And you’ll be under income limitation for earning income also. And dealing with state and co social services. I’ve worked with peoples that where all wired up about getting disability, but when she found out it would be SSI for her and her young adult child would have to move out, and even if she won, it would be $650, she didn’t go forward. Different people, different choices,
Title IVI then have think are your SSD payment is what your retirement payment would be if you retired right now,and just like seniors’ SocSec no asset limits, and no gov’t interference in yr daily life.
Remember, if you don’t win on the 1st try, you could wait 2,3, or more years all the while not being able to earn more than $970/month. If you have another truly severe listable condition, put it down, along with dr’s names contact info. Have pdoc mention it. If it’s really severe s/he shld know anyway. Usually it won’t be investigated any further, if what you have (unfortunately for you) is the real deal. The kind of condition a layperson’s reaction is “ohmygod”
The older you are the better. The more your SS work history reflects the impact of BP the better, high earnings falling off, being fired, unemployment compensation, cycling in and out job market, progressively lower status jobs. Making $126K/yr - then $8/hr. Fired 11xin a row. This is the “DNA evidence” for any condition SSA is really looking for.
This may be TMI - but if it helps one person out there get what they deserve., it’s been time well spent.
It is not true that everyone is turned down the first time around over 30% are approved. I wager that if applicants a) were work qualified, had a listable condition that their treating dr certified was severe for that condition and followed the advice I’ve given for how to write your application and had a SSA Work History that is to SSA the proof that yr condition is severe and is totally and permanently disabling. I believe the approval rate of applications would be at least over 50%. Comments
It is immaterial whether you like the SSA rules, just as it is immaterial whether you like the IRS rules. Read and study them, they are all in the public record. If you don’t fit the work criteria, whining won’t make it happen. Whether the disease meets the severe category can be objective, lab tests, etc, treating md.d.’s opinion. enough of each of the criteria the SSA has set forth and the work and everyday effects which the SSA says are impt and you very specifically write about. While to the ordinary person MS and BP are both bad conditions, not every case is severe. Thank god. Neither is cancer. Mrs. Betty Ford had breast cancer in 1975 and is alive and never had it again. Same for Mrs. Reagan. Yet other women have a terrible time as we all know. According to SSA just because you’re in a wheelchair does not automatically mean you are disabled. Lots of people in wheelchairs work.
If you are 32, and have had a decent career say as system engineer or school teacher, with 10 yrs steady employment and pay increases every year but have not worked the last 6 months due to BP, you meet the work duration and recency tests, but it.s hard to see how your work has been affected permanently. Unless you were continuously psychotic despite any and every med. I’m just giving this extreme to make a point.
Peace be upon us all the days of our lives,
And may we discover healthy and fulfilling ways to live those lives.
“Success is never final,
“Failure is never fatal,
“Only Courage counts.”
Winston Churchill
My daughter is bipolar. We think she may be bipolar affective. We are still in the appeals process after the first denial. I have heard that people generally get denied about 3 times. Most of her doctors seems to think she may get approved. The doctor that sees people to determine eligibility for the social security seems to think she is bipolar affective.
I applied online for SSD and was approved within 5 months. I had a long work history, but recently I had gone on leave, returned, and went back on leave for BP. I had more than a dozen hospitalizations and several suicide attempts. My doctors, psychiatrist and psychologist, felt I should not be working. I never had an interview by SS, nor was I required to have an evaluation by their psychiatrist. I filled out the paperwork, and boom, I was found eligible.
To Whom It May Concern:
I suffer from BP Mood Disorder. Thank God that I was approved for SSD benefits, however the 3 year recertification is approaching and I am nervous. With the economy the way it is and the many years I have been unemployed what am I to do if I do not become recertified? Can anyone help me and drop me a line at outsiderraw@aol.com. Please, if you have any experience with the recertification process, let me know about what happens? I am 40 years of age and my case will be reviewed for recertification in June/July 2009.
Thank you for your time.
Michael Joseph
I too am soon due for a continuing disability review. I am also nervous about it. Actually it was due about 2 yrs ago but I will get reviewed at some point. I continue to be in need of benefits. Any knowledge or past experiences that you’d like to share would be much appreciated. scribeprince@aol.com
Thanks
My daughter is 24 year old. She was on ssi as a child, with a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder. She stopped collecting her benefits at 18 and went to work. She is currently not able to work due to her condition, which is worsening. What are her chances of getting her ssi back?
I am a 51 yr old female that has been diagnosed with Atypical Bipolar II/anxiety disorder. I applied by myself for disability benefits and got it in 2 months. I was fired from 3 jobs in the last 3 yrs. So i know how debilitating this disease is. I have gotten progressively worse over the last 10 yrs. The key for me is having a good Psychiatrist to document my illness. That is what they are looking at to qualify.
not sure of wat section of bipolar i would fall in but i havent been able to hold onto a job for nomore than 7 months. i am 28 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar and depression earlier this year…… my mood swings worsen by the day and i just know that my hubby hates being around me. i cant sleep at night i toss and turn i catch myself getting up 3 or 4 times a night making sure my doors are locked cuz i feel like someone is watching me at all times….. alot of the things i feel my hubby dont knw anything about cuz i hide them….. i hope im not going crazy. i do not see a pshyciatrist but i do see my regular dr. often . do u think i would qualify for ssi benefits
Copyright © 1992-2009 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 22 Nov 2009
|
