Applying for disability for bipolar disorder

[Zooie]

A coworker of my neighbors needed to know how to apply for disability with bipolar disorder. I just spent over an hour compiling all of this and thought somebody out there may need the information, so here it is:


Read it slowly, you're dealing with the government, it's just not going to be easy.

I applied in 1995 but didn't get it until I finally hired a lawyer (they highly recommend that, but I've also heard of people with bipolar disorder getting disability their first try, on their own) after I had done all the work (by law they get 25% of the first check you receive and that's their entire fee only).

First of all, you can do it one of two ways (both on your own-no lawyer). You can go to the Social Security office and get all the forms you need to fill out, or you can go to the Social Security web site and do it that way. I went there and it seems easier than the way I did it. But even if you don't, the Steps page is critical in telling you what you need to tell them. Here is their web site:

http://www.ssa.gov/

When you go there, click on "Disability Benefits" in the middle of the page.

Scroll down to the check list of things you will need to have to apply. You can print this page by clicking on "Print" at the top of the page, so you will have it to go by.

This is very important. A word of caution...if you leave ANYTHING out that they need, they will deny your application and you have to start over, correct what was missing, and it will take another three to five months to hear back from them.

On this "to do" list, click on and do each of the following:
Step 1: Doctors, medications, all other information, etc. It tells you what they need.
Step 2: Fill out the online application
Step 3: Adult Disability Report (medical and work history)
Step 4: Authorization form to disclose information to the Social Security Administration

Mail all this or take it to the SSA office in your town.

Note: Three of the steps were temporarily unavailable 'cause of the Memorial Day holiday so I don't know if you can type in the information on the forms on your computer then print it out, or you have to print it out then fill it out. You may want to just go to the closest SSA office and get all these forms.

PLEASE don't be intimidated by all the paperwork they require. One form I filled out said it would take 40 minutes...hell, it took me over 3 hours!!!

Be very thorough. List ALL your doctors, all your medications, your medical and work history (I think you also have to supply a W2 form) and all the stuff they ask for. Keep Tylenol nearby for the headache you will get.

*****GREAT SITE:
Another thing I'd like to add. You are applying for disability for a mental illness (bipolar disorder). The following web site is an incredible "cheat sheet" in getting disability for having bipolar disorder. You can follow some of the underlined links for additional advice. God I wish I'd had this years ago!

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/win-ca ... order.html

(Also, just for your information there is a place at SSA online that lists the criteria for bipolar disorder. This has to be met. It's 12.00 Mental Disorders, then scroll down to 12.04.A3 for bipolar disorder criteria.)

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilit ... .htm#12.04 Affective Disorders


I would also let them know what it has been like for you to try to work. At my hearing with my lawyer in front of the judge, my lawyer also had an occupational therapist present. He told the judge that I was qualified to do many kinds of jobs (I even have an RN license!!!) but because of this illness, I either got fired, or I got mad and walk out on my job, and other awful stuff that made it impossible for me to hold a job for any length of time. This, it turned out, was the deciding factor in my getting disability. And if you ever have been in a mental hospital for this, make sure you list that too under the "Steps". They want to know how "ill" you really are. Oh, also my lawyer had me keep a daily diary of my thoughts, how I was feeling, my moods, etc. It really helped too.

Finally, this next web site may answer any questions you have. It is 3 pages, 60 topics. To go to the next page, upper right, click on the "page" arrow, click on 2 (or 3) and then on "go" to see all the topics. It may be a bit overwhelming so you can skip this one, just thought I'd add it.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa ... age_foot=1

Now, get out your pen, or go online, and go for it! GOOD LUCK!