Several years ago, when my wife was recovering from a major manic episode, she turned over the task of paying our bills and managing the checkbook to me.

We were just looking for ways I could help, and that was an easy one. The other day, however, I came across an article by Ginnie Graham published on the Tulsa World website entitled “Bill-paying program helps mentally ill avoid becoming homeless,” and it made me realize that missed payments could lead to major problems for those with bipolar who don’t have someone who can take on that task, especially during a major mood episode or during recovery.

May 25, 3pm EST, Social Security will present a 90-minute Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinar tailored to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries who live with mental illness.

The webinar, entitled “Ticket to Work for Beneficiaries with a Mental Illness – Support on Your Journey to Employment,” will provide Work Incentives and Ticket to Work program information and resources.

Register Online.

If you think you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, consider taking the following steps to pursue a claim:

1. See a doctor for your condition if you have not done so already. Without documented medical evidence, you have little chance to qualify as disabled.
2. Apply for disability at your local Social Security Administration office or apply online. If you’re currently unable to do it yourself, get a close friend or relative to assist you. This should take about three to four hours.
3. If you’re denied, contact an attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability benefits.

Do you qualify as disabled?

One of our readers recommended that we include a link to the Social Security and Disability Resource Center. We checked it out, and it seems to contain some valuable content. Here’s a description of the site from our reader:

The Social Security and Disability Resource Center website provides answers to questions concerning how to apply for disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made by applicants filing for either SSD (social security disability) or SSI (supplemental security income) benefits.

Specifically, she thought our readers would find the article “Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?” relevant.

We’re also adding the link to our Blogroll (on the left), so you have convenient access to it on return visits.

Photo by First Baptist, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

We have three cats. Since our dog passed away several years ago, I’ve been the one holdout in the family in our decision to get another dog. I like the freedom of being able to take off for a couple days without having to figure out “what to do about the dog.” Besides, bringing a clueless dog into a house with three crafty, conceited cats seems to me to be borderline animal cruelty.

In Part I of this series, I highlighted the challenge of returning to work with bipolar disorder and provided some practical advice on how to smooth the transition back to work after experiencing a major mood episode. In this second part of the series, I provide some more in-depth information and recommendations on obtaining additional assistance with your back-to-work efforts:

Many people with bipolar disorder are able to successfully return to work once they’re on an effective treatment regimen, which typically includes one or more medications. In Bipolar Disorder for Dummies, however, we recommend that you avoid mood stressors and triggers – and returning to work, especially a demanding job, can be loaded with stressors and triggers. In this two-part series on returning to work with bipolar disorder, we offer some suggestions on how to ease the transition back to work.

Steve Asks…

As a police officer diagnosed with bipolar illness two years ago, and due to a recent episode that resulted in hospitalization, I am currently on sick leave. I will be applying for disability with their blessing. The question is whether police work in general, and working nights for many years will be qualifying for a disability. I hope to find a less stressful career but after many years on the force, what, I don’t know. Anyone? Has anyone had the same diagnosis in a similar profession?

Syndicated from the Bipolar Blog

When you have bipolar disorder, you hear a lot about what a psychiatrist and psychotherapist can do for you, but you rarely hear about and may never even consider consulting an occupational therapist (OT). And why would you? OTs are trained to assist people with physical disabilities, right? People who are visually or hearing impaired, confined to wheel chairs, paralyzed, and so forth?

Syndicated from the Bipolar Blog

An intense period of mania or depression can make you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. You may feel exhausted. You may be unable to concentrate or remember certain details. You may become intolerant of colleagues and others you must deal with on the job. Your family life is also very likely to be chaotic and stressful.