Social Security Disability And Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by extreme changes in mood periods of depression and periods of being extremely happy or being irritable. People diagnosed with bipolar disorder often experience both mania and depression. Common symptoms during the manic phase include: poor concentration, poor judgment, poor temper control, little need for sleep, and reckless behavior. Common symptoms during the depressive episode include: sadness, difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions, eating problems, fatigue or lack of energy, loss of pleasure, feeling worthless, thoughts of death or suicide. If you are unable to work as a result of your Bipolar Disorder, or any other condition, Social Security Disability can provide essential benefits. At Disability Advocates Group, we have successfully assisted many clients suffering from Bipolar Disorder to get the Social Security Disability benefits they need and deserve.
You Meet The Requirements In The Blue Book Listing Of Impairments
Affective disorders are included in Section 12.00 of the Social Security Administrations Blue Book Listing of Impairments which covers mental disorders. You may satisfy the requirements for an affective disorder pursuant to a specific listing if one of the following is true:
In order to qualify for benefits pursuant to any of these listings, you must also prove that one of the following is true:
- You have an extreme limitation in one, or a marked limitation in two, of the following four areas of mental functioning: understanding, remembering, or applying information interacting with others concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace and adapting or managing yourself.
- Your affective disorder is serious and persistent. That means that you have a medically documented history of the disorder for a period of at least two years and there is evidencethat despite ongoing medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support, and a highly structured setting that diminishes your symptomsyou still have a minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or demands that are not part of your daily life.
These are tough requirements to meet and you may be unable to work because of your disabilityeven if you do not meet the technical requirements in the Listing of Impairments.
Ssi And Bipolar Disorder
Applying for and receiving Social Security Disability benefits based on your Bipolar Disorder can be challenging. The signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are often misunderstood. If you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder and are no longer able to work, you should contact an attorney specializing in Social Security Disability to improve your chances of receiving SSDI or SSI benefits.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Three Stages Of Schizophrenia
What Do I Do If The Ssa Has Denied My Disability Claim
It is not uncommon for the SSA to deny claims, particularly for mental disorders which are more challenging to prove with medical documentation. Fortunately, you have the right to appeal the decision, so long as you act within 60 days of receiving your letter of denial.
Our disability lawyers can help. At Lunn & Forro, PLLC, we have dedicated our practice to helping those living with disabilities obtain the benefits they need. We have experience handling disability claims at every level and we will fight to win you what you deserve.
For questions about qualifying for disability benefits or for help with an appeal, call our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation:
Qualifying For Disability Based On Reduced Functional Capacity
If you don’t qualify under the SSA’s requirements for bipolar disorder, above, the SSA must next consider to what extent your bipolar symptoms impair your ability to work . The SSA will give you a rating of the type of work it thinks you can do . This is called your mental residual functional capacity .
If the SSA finds that you cannot perform even unskilled work , the SSA might grant you benefits under a “medical-vocational allowance.” But if you didn’t meet the official listing above, it’s likely the SSA will find that you can do at least unskilled work. And since there are so many unskilled jobs in our economy, it’s unlikely that you’ll be granted disability benefits unless you are 55 or older and have no more than an elementary school education. For these reasons, most claimants applying for disability benefits for bipolar disorder either qualify under the official listing above or they don’t qualify at all. However, if you have a physical impairment in addition to bipolar disorder, your physical RFC combined with your mental RFC can rule out so many unskilled jobs that there aren’t any left you can do.
Also Check: Can Panic Attack Cause Blurry Vision
Experienced Ssdi & Ssi Help From Handler Henning & Rosenberg Llc
If you or someone you love is suffering from bipolar disorder and youre interested in finding out if you qualify forSocial Security Disability, youve come to the right place. AtHandler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC, we have decades of experience dealing with Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance applications andappeals in Pennsylvania. We know how these federal programs work and understand how to deal with state agencies as well, such as the Pennsylvania Bureau of Disability Determination , which is responsible for determining if applicants meet the SSAsdisability qualifications.
Bipolar disorder is a serious condition that can affect your ability to work and make a living. Fortunately, you could be entitled toSSDI or SSI.Our attorneys can help you explore your options.
Basic Eligibility For Benefits
The SSA must see that you meet basic eligibility requirements before further reviewing your application for benefits. This basic eligibility includes having:
- A formal diagnosis of a potentially disabling condition
- A diagnosed condition that will disable you for 12 months of longer
After the SSA confirms that you meet basic eligibility, they will then move on to review your medical condition in detail and verify that you meet all program requirements for SSDI and/or SSI.
You May Like: What Is The Phobia For Bees
Can I Get Social Security Disability For My Bipolar Disorder
Disability claims based on bipolar disorder can be approved if the medical evidence substantiates the severity of your alleged symptoms
Does Social Security consider bipolar disorder to be disabling?
How exactly does Social Security evaluate a disability claim based on bipolar disorder?
Step 1: Non-Medical CriteriaStep 2: Severe ImpairmentStep 3: Medical ListingsStep 4: Past WorkStep 5: Other Work
Wondering If You Qualify?
Find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in just seconds with our free evaluation.
What Do You Need To Know About Bipolar Disorder
The adult listing asks that you have a two-year history of bipolar disorder and you receive treatment for the condition. You will also need to show certain symptoms specific to the condition. For children, the listing requires observation of a number of symptoms fitting Major depressive syndrome and Manic syndrome.
Don’t Miss: Does Pristiq Help With Anxiety
Does Bipolar Disorder Qualify Me For Social Security Benefits
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be extreme enough to prevent an individual from working. If this is the case for you, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression. There are two main types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and each may have slightly different criteria for diagnosis.
Bipolar I is characterized by distinct periods of mania and depression, though some individuals will also experience symptoms of hypomania, a state of mania where symptoms are milder. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar I, manic symptoms must last at least one week and occur for most of the day every day or result in hospitalization. Approximately 30% of individuals diagnosed with Bipolar I experience severe symptoms.
Bipolar I is most commonly diagnosed around age 18. Individuals with Bipolar I are often diagnosed with additional mental health conditions, such as anxiety. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar I, individuals must also experience a period of significant depression.
What Is The Lowest Disability Payment
Concurrent SSI and SSDI Benefits It supplements. For example, if an approved disability claimant receives SSDI monthly benefits in the amount of $400, an SSI award could be used to guarantee that the claimants total monthly benefits equal the minimum SSI amount, which is currently $783 per month.
Read Also: Does Pristiq Help With Anxiety
Can A Person With Bipolar Disorder Get Social Security Disability
These benefits, called Social Security Disability benefits, are available to those who meet certain requirements and successfully complete the application. An adult or child living with Bipolar disorder can benefit from understanding the entire disability process in order to gain the financial support deserved.
Bipolar Disorder As A Disability Under Ssa
When it comes to living with a disability, Social Security provides both Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income .
If youve received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the SSA has a 5-step evaluation process to determine if you qualify for benefits.
Youll be asked:
- Are you currently working? As of 2021, earning an average monthly income of more than $1,310 often prevents you from collecting disability.
- Is your condition severe? This means that for a period of at least 12 months, bipolar disorder prevented you from performing basic work tasks such as lifting, sitting, walking, or standing.
- Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? Yes, bipolar disorder is included in the list.
- Can you do work youve done previously? SSA will assess your residual functional capacity , or how your condition has affected your work abilities.
- Can you do any other type of work? Being unable to work one type of job doesnt always exclude you from other forms of employment.
Read Also: What Is The Meaning Of Phobia
Avvo Review Get Er Done Gantt
I was very satisfied with David Gantts expertise and knowledge in all aspects handling my case. He dealt with all the paperwork and contacted all necessary providers to get my medical history it was extremely hassle free! He communicated and counseled me on what to expect being very forthcoming !
Ways To Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits Due To Bipolar Disorder
If the Bipolar Disorder is constant and impairs most abilities to function in a work environment, the Claimant may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits if he/she meets the evaluation criteria listed in the Social Security Administrations Blue Book, and has received a medical vocational disability endorsement based on the persons residual functional ability, education and age. These requirements are also known as meeting the Listings and are fairly rigid in evidentiary proof.
To meet the Listing, a Claimant must have a history of consistent manic or depressive episodes, or a combination of both. The Claimants Bipolar Disorder should result in two of the following three restrictions:
- Severe limitation of daily activity,
- Inability to interact with others in a normal way, or
- Recurring episodes the condition worsening which last for an extended period of time.
A second and easier method of proving Social Security Disability involves evidence of an overall reduction in the Claimants remaining functional capacity, based on age, education, and prior work efforts. If the mental residual functioning is very limited and the person is incapable of meeting the demands of basic routine repetitive activities, the Claimant could be determined disabled under this general assessment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY QUESTIONS
Recommended Reading: What Is The Cure For Such Disorders Beatings
Qualifying For Disability With Bipolar Disorder
Becoming approved for Social Security Disability benefits with bipolar disorder alone is rather quite difficult. This is due to the fact that many mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder are hard to validate and can be controllable through medication and/or psychotherapy. Generally people who are approved for benefits with bipolar disorder also have other disabling conditions such as schizophrenia, clinical depression, PTSD, etc.
The Social Security Administrations Blue Book lists the requirements for specific disabilities to qualify for disability benefits. Listing 12.00 deals with mental disorders and section 12.04 of the Blue Book lists the requirements necessary for an individual with an affective disorder to qualify for Social Security Disability. An applicants bipolar disorder must satisfy requirements A and B or must satisfy requirement C.
Requirement A
1.) Symptoms of depression at least 4 of the following:
- Appetite disturbance in addition to weight change
- Difficulty thinking, focusing or concentrating
- Loss of interest in the majority of activities
- Psychomotor retardation or agitation
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Sleep disturbance and inconsistency
- Performs activities with a high probability of painful results
- Delusions, hallucinations, or paranoid thinking
Requirement B
Applicant has at least two of the following:
If an applicants disorder doesnt meet requirements A and B, he or she may still qualify under requirement C.
Requirement C
Q: I Live In Lancaster And Suffer With Severe Bipolar Disorder What Steps Can I Take To Increase My Chances Of Obtaining Social Security Disability Benefits
Bipolar disorder is a serious brain disorder that affects nearly six million adults in the United States. The disease is characterized by debilitating mood swingsalternating between mania and depression. While many people can be successfully treated with medication and therapy, others suffer with the illness to the point that they are unable to work.
Although bipolar disorder is a serious illness that qualifies for Social Security Disability, those suffering from the disorder are often denied benefits after the initial application. Following are some tips for mounting a successful Lancaster Social Security Disability case:
Bipolar disorder can be crippling and seriously affect your ability to hold down a job. Unfortunately, Social Security Disability benefits are often denied for those suffering with bipolar disorder because there are no obvious physical symptoms. If you have been denied benefits for bipolar disorder, a compassionate and skilled Lancaster Social Security Disability lawyer at Schmidt Kramer can help.
Our compassionate attorneys focus on Social Security Disability law and know how to put together a winning appeal. Give us a call today at for your free case evaluation. We are on your side!
Recommended Reading: Phobia Of Puking
If You Have Symptoms Of Mania Such As Hyperactivity And Distractability That Affect Your Functional Abilities You May Be Able To Get Disability Benefits
By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney
Bipolar disorder, also known by the name of manic depression, is a psychotic mental disorder involving both depression and mania . In bipolar disorder, there is an expansive and elated mood that may cycle with depression a less severe form is known as cyclothymia. Some people have “rapid cycling” of manic and depressive episodes, but for others a manic or depressive episode can last for weeks or months.
To qualify for disability benefits for bipolar disorder, your condition must be severe enough that either of the following are true, even with proper medication:
- You meet the specific requirements for bipolar disorder that the Social Security Administration has set out in its impairment listing on mood disorders .
- You can’t function at a high enough and consistent enough level to hold a basic, unskilled job.
Get Help Before Applying For Social Security Disability
Most initial Social Security disability applications are denied. These denials often include many applications that should result in Social Security disability benefits. However, any slight mistake on the application or the failure to provide necessary evidence could result in a denial of benefits. If this happens to you, then you will need to appeal before you can receive Social Security disability benefits.
Our experienced Social Security disability lawyers dont want this to happen to you. Instead, we want you to get the fair benefits that you deserve as quickly as possible. Call us today to find out how we may be able to help you and to learn more about your rights.
|
Related Links: |
Recommended Reading: What Is A Phobia Of Spoons Called
Disability Benefits For Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a condition that causes extreme changes in an individuals mood. Thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with this condition every year are unable to work and hold employment due to their symptoms. If an individual is unable to work because of bipolar disorder, he or she may qualify for either Supplement Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance .
What You Need To Prove
Generally, you will qualify for benefits if you have received an air-tight diagnosis of bipolar disorder and have problems in two of the four main areas of functioning. Specifically, you, and your lawyer, will need to prove that you have marked deficits in at least two of the following areas.
- Daily living skills: getting dressed and cleaning and grooming yourself independently without reminders or help from others.
- Social functioning: acting and speaking appropriately in social and employment situations.
- Concentration: completing tasks in a timely manner.
- Episodes of decomposition: keeping your temper in check and remaining engaged in a situation.
Read Also: What’s The Phobia Of Long Words
Disability Benefits Program Options
You will most likely be applying for one of two main disability programs offered by the Social Security Administration: Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income .
SSDI is for disabled workers and who have paid Social Security taxes from their paychecks. You will asked for a job history when you apply, which will show that you have worked for long enough to qualify for SSDI. This makes SSDI more suited for working adults. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/ssdi/qualify-for-ssdi
SSI is another benefit program similar to SSDI, but is intended specifically for elderly and disabled individuals. Instead of a job history, you will be asked to demonstrate that you meet the SSAs strict financial limits. This makes children good candidates for SSI, since they will not have had much experience working. In the case of applications for children, the Social Security Administration will ask a parent to submit part of their finances for evaluation as well.