I applied for SSA for Bipolar 1 rapid cycling in August 2016. I got approved earlier this month, and back-dated to last September even though I worked about 4 months between that date and when I filed.

I have now applied for long-term from working, dating back to when I first was diagnosed and unable to work (November 2014). I used FMLA often, ran out, when on medical leaves, eventually resigned, tried another job, failed, etc. If my elimination period started in November 2014, I met it by September 2015, which is when SSA found me disabled.

I read my LTD policy and it has a 12 month limit on 'mental' disorders. I wrote a letter and said I challenge it. I just did that today.

Has anyone else ran into this?? I read some things online that sometimes you can challenge it and win. Some states don't allow the insurer to limit mental claims.

ALSO, they told me I didn't file in time to have a valid claim and June 2016 would have been the deadline. I was manic then and obviously couldn't file. After I recovered some, and everyone was telling me to file SSDI, I did so in August 2016. So I filed as soon as I could.

Let me know any insights, thanks