It is not easy to qualify for bipolar disability – but it certainly is possible.
It is a tragedy that so many deserving Americans are deprived of their legal entitlements to the cash and medical benefits that they need because of a complex and confusing system.
Don’t give up! Help is available.
The fact is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies approval to over 60%-70% of the people filing their initial applications.
However, most of these people CAN go on to getting their claims approved, once they get the facts, guidance and support they need. The problem is SO BAD that many of the US’s leading disability legal experts say their #1 SUCCESS TIP is “APPEAL! “APPEAL! APPEAL!”
Win your Social Security Disability Claim!
Social security disability for bipolar requirements
Reminder
To qualify for disability, your bipolar disorder must be constant, or come and go persistently despite all your treatment – AND – it must impair your ability to function.1
The Social Security Administration provide a Disability Starter Kit to help you get ready for your disability interview or online application.
These official kits provide information about the disability program and the SSA’s decision-making process. This can help take some of the mystery out of applying for bipolar disability.
Each Disability Starter Kit contains a:
1. Fact sheet that answers questions most people ask about applying for bipolar disability benefits.
2. Checklist of documents and information required, and
3. Worksheet to help you gather and organize the information you will need to claim bipolar disability.
Also see this Overview on Bipolar Disorder Disability and other Social Security Benefits from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Disability requirements – the 5 steps
STEP 1 – is the individual “working”? The SSA definition of working is “engaging in substantial gainful activity”. Earning more than $860 a month as an employee is enough to be disqualified from receiving Social Security disability benefits.
STEP 2 – is the disability severe enough to significantly limit the individual’s ability to perform basic work activities needed to do most jobs?
STEP 3 – does the the disability meet or equal a medical listing? For a bipolar person this will mean satisfying the requirements of Section 12.04 Affective disorders. (There is more on this further down the page.)
STEP 4 – Can the individual perform work he/she has done in the past, despite the disability? If SSA finds that a person can do his/her past work, benefits are denied. If the person cannot, then the process proceeds to the fifth and final step.
STEP 5 looks at age, education, work experience and physical/mental condition to determine what other work, if any, the person can perform. To determine disability, the SSA follows vocational rules, which vary according to age.
Should I hire a disability expert?
This is an individual decision that varies according to personal circumstances. If you feel overwhelmed by the very idea of trying to organize all your paperwork, or if you feel the stress involved would make your condition worse, then maybe you should consider it.
The cost of hiring expert help will be less than the amount of your overall benefits.
Statistics show that people with professional representation are 3 times more likely to win their bipolar disability claim.2
The amount you may be charged by an attorney or specialty firm like Allsup is regulated. Usually it will be 25% of back benefits, up to a maximum of $6,000.
Ten social security disability tips
1. Expect to have to put some effort in. There is is still a lot of ignorance around bipolar disability and this makes it harder to get approval from the SSA, compared to someone with an an obvious physical disability. You can walk, talk and fill in forms – so “what is your problem?” – Yeah, right!
2. Persist. Most people succeed eventually, but not on their first attempt. Remember what Dr Susan says: “APPEAL! APPEAL APPEAL!”
3. Involve your psychiatrist or other members of your medical team. The SSA will not approve your claim for bipolar disability without medical support.
4. File as soon as possible. The process is slow – 3 to 5 months – and even slower if you need to appeal.
5. Keep lots of documentation such as all your medical records. It helps if you are seeing your doctor regularly. A big factor is being able to demonstrate how your bipolar disorder impacts on your moods and
ability to work so other records such as your Bipolar Mood Charts may be very useful.
6.Ask your doctor to complete an RFC form for you. However, remember that you cannot get bipolar disability just because your doctor considers you eligible. It is the SSA who decide.
7. Stay calm and be
polite. The process can be very frustrating but will only be worse if you lose your cool. The folks at the SSA are just doing their jobs and everything will go smoother if everyone can stay nice.
8. Copy everything! Never give an original document unless you get a copy of it of first. Keep a complete mirror file of all your completed forms, records and any other paperwork.
9. Consider using experts like Allsup or Binder and Binder to guide you through the process. Allsup only charge you if your claim is granted, and their success rate is an incredible 98%.
10. Appeal! Remember – most initial claims for bipolar disability are denied, but with the right help, most appeals are (eventually) granted.
References:
1http://ibpf.org/article/how-apply-social-security-disability-bipolar-disorder
2https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/disability-work/bipolar-disorder
