Improving Your Chances For Obtaining Social Security Disability Benefits
Its particularly important to see a psychologist or psychiatrist who can document the progression of your illness because this can sometimes be the only official record of your depression, mania or bipolar disorder. If you live with or frequently see family members or friends, ask them to document how your behavior has changed over time as well. While manic periods can occasionally be pleasant, its very important that you follow any course of treatment that youre given noncompliance can lead to a denial of benefits.
Contact Us To See If You Can Obtain Ssdi For Your Depression Or Bipolar Disorder
The SSDI lawyers atKrasno, Krasno & Onwudinjo understand how difficult it can be to live with a depressive or bipolar disorder.
Our highly experienced Social Security Disability lawyers work with your doctor to obtain the necessary information for your case. We fight to get your claim for benefits approved so you can get the financial and medical help you need.
To make an appointment, call us now at 243-4836. Consultations are free.
What Do Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder Look Like
Patients with bipolar might apply for bipolar disability benefits because they have trouble dealing with ordinary life events. Their ability to perform their job, maintain positive interpersonal relationships, or keep up with academic requirements can become affected. One of the most challenging tasks for these patients is maintaining a healthy social life.
There are many different treatments for bipolar, and the disability can often be offset through medications and talk therapy. But if the condition doesnt improve with treatment and this precludes someone from living a healthy life, then bipolar can be disabling.
There is no cure for bipolar disorder. Common symptoms of the condition include:
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Thinking about, planning, or attempting suicide
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
Formerly known as manic depression in the medical community, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition in which the most prominent symptom is mood swings. These mood swings are vastly different from typical mood changes. The changes can vary significantly from states of mania to depressive states. An individual with bipolar disorder can go from one extreme to another in a short time.
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Types Of Bipolar Disorder
The insurance company may also want to know what type of Bipolar Disorder you suffer from. Health experts classify bipolar disorder into four types:
- Bipolar Affective Disorder 1: This type is diagnosed when you have had at least one manic episode, which could be followed or preceded by a major depressive or hypomanic episode. Individuals with Bipolar 1 experience full-blown mania. Symptoms may include high energy, insomnia, racing thoughts, extreme talkative behavior, hallucinations and delusions.
- Bipolar Affective Disorder 2: Sometimes referred to as Swinging Bipolar, you may be diagnosed with Bipolar 2 if you experience at least one depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. Unlike Bipolar 1, those diagnosed with Bipolar 2 arent known to have psychotic episodes. They can, however, suffer badly from depression.
- Cyclothymic Disorder: Cycolthymic Disorder is characterized by at least a two-year history of periods of both hypomania/mania and depression, but not to a major extent. Your manic and depressive episodes can go back and forth over a period of time, but not enough to meet full criteria of major depression. Those diagnosed with Cyclothymic Disorder do have trouble functioning at times.
- Bipolar Affective Disorder NOS : This type is diagnosed when you experience some characteristics of bipolar disorder, but none of which can be classified as one of the three other types.
How Do You Qualify For Disability Benefits Based On The Bipolar Listing
To qualify under the SSA’s official listing for bipolar disorder, you must have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and your medical records must show that you have at least three of the following symptoms:
- unnaturally fast, frenzied speech
- quickly changing ideas and thought patterns
- inflated self-esteem
- distractibility
- involvement in risky activities with painful consequences that you don’t recognize, and/or
- increase in physical agitation or in “goal-directed activity” .
You must also meet Social Security’s “functional” criteria to show that you have a loss of abilities due to these symptoms. Just having a diagnosis isn’t enough for the SSA to find you disabledyou’ll need to show that your bipolar disorder causes an “extreme” limitation in one, or a “marked” limitation in two, of the following areas:
- understanding, remembering, or using information
- interacting with others
- concentrating and maintaining pace in performing tasks , and/or
- adapting or managing oneself .
Proving these limitations can be tricky because terms like “marked” and “extreme” are subjective and not well defined. To help the SSA understand how you meet these criteria, it’s a good idea to ask your treating psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, or therapist for a medical source statement. Having multiple providers who can provide evidence that your limitations are medically disabling strengthens your claim.
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Can You Get Disability For Anxiety And Depression
Answer. Depression and anxiety can have a profound and marked impact on a persons life and career. However, to qualify medically for SSDI or SSI benefits on the basis of depression and anxiety, you must show Social Security that your mental condition is severe and precents you from living a normal life.
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How Hard Is It To Get Disability For Bipolar
Getting disability benefits in the united states can be a challenging process and this is especially true in cases such as mental disability. Getting disability for bipolar is difficult and can take a lot of time and effort in order to get approved. For first thing to do is to determine if you qualify for disability in general. There are certain requirements that you should meet in order to be considered disabled according to the Social Security Administration . If you can meet the requirements, then you are next required to contact the SSA and apply for disability. You will then be scheduled for an interview with a doctor from the SSA. During the interview, you must state why you are disabled and why you are unable to work. You must also be able to prove that your disability is long-term and permanent..
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What You Need To Prove You’re Disabled
In order to prove that you have bipolar disorder, you should get a statement from your doctor or psychiatrist about your condition. Your doctor’s report will be most influential if the doctor has been treating you for a while.In addition to a doctor’s report, it’s helpful to provide some or all of the following documentation:
- letters from employers and former employers explaining how your disorder affected your job performance
- notes from friends and relatives explaining how your disorder affects your daily life, and
- letters from a therapist explaining that the effects of bipolar continue despite treatment and your attempts to manage your disorder.
Can You Get Fmla For Bipolar Disorder
Find more info at http://www.workplacefairness.org/employer/discrimination/fmla-disabilities The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for a newborn, newly adopted or newly placed foster child, or for a seriously ill spouse, parent or child. This law covers employers with 50 or more employees at a necessary worksite within 75 miles. A 50 employee employer is one that has at least 50 employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that in 2009, family leave coverage was provided to about 60 million employees. Employees are eligible for FMLA leave if they have worked for a covered employer for more than 12 months and if they have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months preceding the start of their leave. Employees who take FMLA leave are guaranteed their jobs will be held for them when they return to work, although they are not guaranteed to return to their exact job..
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Receiving Disability Benefits For Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder was once known as Manic Depressive disorder due to periods of extreme euphoria, followed by bouts of severe depression. Bipolar disorder can be considered a disability under the Social Security disability program if you meet the work and medical requirements. Specifically, you must have 40 work credits to receive SS disability benefits, 20 of which were earned over the past 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. Once you meet the work, resource, and income requirements, you must meet the medical requirements outlined in the SSA impairment listings.
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million adult Americans. The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years, although the illness can begin in early childhood, or as late as the 50s. More than two-thirds of those with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness, indicating a genetic component.
We are particularly skilled in telling your story. Your story clearly shows the impact your impairment has had on your ability to work as well as your ability to handle normal, day-to-day activities. Once we ensure you meet SSAs five-step review process, we will begin crafting your story to give you the very best chance of receiving the disability benefits you need and deserve.
The five-step review process includes:
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed
The symptoms of bipolar disorder are difficult to prove and diagnose. Due to this difficulty of diagnosis, individuals with bipolar who apply for disability benefits are often denied initially. This is because the symptoms typically come and go in waves and there are times when people with bipolar disorder have no symptoms at all. The symptoms also need to be clearly out of the individuals normal range of mood and behavior. Doctors who diagnose individuals with bipolar disorder use one of the four basic types listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Bipolar I Disorder: Individual has manic or mixed episodes that last longer than 7 days as well as depressive episodes that last at least 2 weeks. Manic episodes can get severe enough for hospitalization.
Bipolar II Disorder: Individual has episodes of hypomania instead of mania along with full depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes except that they are not as intense and dont tend to last as long.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified : Individual shows symptoms of bipolar disorder but technically doesnt meet the qualifications for bipolar I or II.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Individual has episodes of hypomania and periods of depression. These periods of depression are not severe enough to be considered full depressive episodes.
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Is Bipolar A Disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a law that helps people with disabilities get equal rights at work. Bipolar disorder is considered a disability under the ADA, just like blindness or multiple sclerosis.
You may also qualify for Social Security benefits if you cant work. The Social Security Administration has two programs that provide a monthly income and health insurance to people who cant work because of a disability:
- Social Security Disability Insurance is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income is for people with a limited income.
Read on to learn how the ADA and Social Security might benefit you.
Your Rights Under The Ada
Many people with bipolar disorder are able to maintain a job. Bipolar disorder is one of the many conditions covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act . This law is designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in hiring, job assignments, promotions, pay, firing, benefits, layoffs, and all other employment-related activities.
The ADA only applies to businesses with 15 or more employees.
People with bipolar disorder may want to consider that when looking for employment or considering changing jobs.
Your spouse is also protected by the ADA. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that “The Act also makes it unlawful to discriminate against an applicant or employee, whether disabled or not, because of the individual’s family, business, social or other relationship or association with an individual with a disability.” For example, if your husband has bipolar disorder, you are protected if he requires emergency hospitalization and you must be away from work without warning because of this. The ADA is administered by the EEOC.
Other employees may not understand the rights a person with bipolar disorder has under the ADA. Often people think of disability only as physical impairment. Everyone should learn how the law applies so they know why accommodations may be required.
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How To Apply For Ssdi Benefits For Bipolar Disorder
The fastest way to file your application for SSDI benefits for bipolar disorder is on the SSA’s website. You can fill out the online application from anywhere and at your own pace, stopping and restarting as often as necessary. If you’d prefer, you can apply by phone at 800-772-1213 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. . Or use the SSA’s office locator to apply at your local Social Security office.Before you begin your application, gather as much of the following information as you can:
- your birth certificate or other proof of birth
- the name, Social Security number, and birth date of your current and former spouse
- your marriage and divorce records
- your work history for the past 15 years
- income information for this year and last year , and
- any medical records you have including doctors’ reports, inpatient and outpatient treatment records, and recent test results.
SSA representatives can help you gather any documents you don’t have. So don’t delay filing your application because of missing documents. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or having trouble getting started or completing your application, you might benefit from working with a disability advocate or lawyer. Having an expert in your corner can ensure your application is filed correctly and has the best chance of winning your claim.
How Do I Prove My Disability Due To Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can be extremely distressing and disabling. It is a condition that can ruin your career and relationships alike. However, you should never assume the insurance company will understand how your individual symptoms impact you and your job. To increase your chances of claim approval, you must explain why each of your symptoms prevents you from performing your job duties.
For example, during a depressive episode, you be unable to get out of bed due to your severely depressed mood and fatigue forcing you to call in sick. You may be preoccupied with your debilitating symptoms and unable to focus, concentrate, or pay attention during an important meeting or telephone call with your biggest client. Or your lack of interests, low energy and feelings of hopelessness may make routine tasks seem overly stressful or cause you to procrastinate and miss a strict deadline.
During a manic episode, you may decide to blow off work for the day. If you do make it to work, your heightened energy may cause you to speak rapidly and scare off a potential client, or fail to put your best foot forward during a presentation. Your irritability may lead to fights with co-workers, disruptive behavior in a meeting, or an inability to accept criticism from your boss. Your racing thoughts and easy distractibility may cause you to miss an important piece of information from a document, which is particularly troublesome if your job requires attention to detail.
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% Va Rating For Depression And Anxiety
The 0 percent rating is reserved for a very mild presentation of psychopathology. If VA awards a 0 percent rating for depression or anxiety, it has determined that the veteran has a qualifying diagnosis, but the symptoms do not result in functional impairment or require medication. Importantly, a 0 percent disability rating is non-compensable, meaning the veteran will not receive monthly payments for that condition.
What Are My Chances For Eligibility
To get protection under the ADA, you have to prove that a disability like bipolar disorder severely limits your ability to work. The ADA covers companies with 15 or more employees.
Getting Social Security benefits can be trickier. You need to have a disability and be a part of a low-income household or have worked for a certain number of years.
Not everyone with bipolar disorder qualifies. About two-thirds of applications for disability benefits are denied at first.
To get Social Security benefits, the SSA will ask you to show that:
- youve lived with bipolar disorder for at least 1 year
- your condition is severe enough to prevent you from doing your job or any other job
- your disability will last for more than a year
To qualify for SSDI, you need to have worked at a job where you paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years.
The older you are, the more years you need to have worked. A 42-year-old must have worked for 5 years, while a 30-year-old only needs 2 years of work.
To qualify for SSI, you need to earn less than a certain amount of money. That amount varies by state. You also cant have more than $2,000 in assets .
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