[manicdepressive07]

If anyone is willing to share, I'd love to know more information on getting disability for bipolar disorder. How much do you receive, what is the process/how hard is it to actually get benefits?

Reason being... I'm really starting to wonder if I'm EVER going to be able to hold down a legitimate job. I've never held the same job for more than 6 months... either because I got fired, or because I changed jobs in fear of being fired soon. I just started a new job, and 3 days into being on my own, I already got a write up. (For something incredibly stupid I might add) None the less, it went into my file. So basically I only have one "left" because the 3rd write up, you get fired.

It's starting to make me super depressed and I'm just not sure I'm ever going to be able to keep a job. Idk what to do

[Charrlee]

I wish I could answer for you but I can really empathize! I've never kept a job longer than 6 months either, besides my current one where I've been for 14 months. In the past two weeks I've gotten two write ups though, and my mood and personality have been brought up more frequently. Being constantly fired or fearing a swift axe around every corner makes it even more difficult to function in a work environment. It sounds like we share the hopelessness of feeling like no place will take us, no matter our willingness to work

I hope someone else can help you.

[Speed3]

In my late 30's my bipolar disorder reappeared after 20 years without symptoms that interfered with my life.

I was working for a large organization, with a high level position. As part of my benefits package I paid into long term disability. I chose the option to receive 80% of my salary if I were ever to need it. But I never thought I would.

I tried many things to keep my job, but ultimately I had to go on disability.

The benefits department of my employer did all the set up for me to receive my disability.

One of the conditions of receiving the disability from the private organization was that I had to apply for SSDI. Which I did and received. The total payment between the two equaled 80 % of my salary at the time I went out.

I had worked 18 years in fairly high level positions always paying into Social Security. What you can or will get from SSDI is based on this. That is how long you worked paying into SS and how much you were making.

Because I was already receiving private disability it was easier to obtain SSDI.

I don't know exactly what you do just to get SSDI. I guess the first step would to be to contact your local Social Security office.

Good Luck

[wildflowerchild25]

Well it varies from state to state. I was on disability when I was young (19) because I had seven hospitalizations in ten months. I stayed on it until I could get it together enough to go to college and get a job. I was not denied my first try because of the severity of my illness at that point. But I know people who have been denied the first time around and had to appeal with a lawyer more than once. One person said it took her three years to get it. From what I hear if you get denied, get a disability lawyer and appeal until they approve you.

As for benefits, I got $750 a month, but I had no dependents. I also didn't have to pay rent or a mortgage or anything. But once you're on Ssdi in my state you are also eligible for food stamps and Medicare.

You have to be willing to go through the whole process which is difficult to do when your're depressed.

[dragonfly2]

Contact your local Social Security office. They can tell you if you have enough credits to qualify for SSDI or if you would need to apply for SSI instead. SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance, and is based on how much you have worked and how recent that work is. SSI is Supplemental Security Income and is need-based. So children and people who have either never worked or don't have enough credits would get SSI if found to be disabled. SSI is based on household income, so if there is any other income coming in to anyone in your household, you may or may not qualify for it, even if found to be disabled. SSDI has no limits on how much you can receive - it's all based on how much you have earned in the past and is not dependent on household income.

Nowadays you can apply for SS online. I'm not sure how that works, as I was awarded my disability over 10 years ago. Talk to your pdoc about it as well and make sure they are on board with supporting you in your application. If not, find someone who is. It can take a while to get, and there are many people who are denied at first, but keep at it. And don't feel like it's the end of your ability to ever work again. There is an elaborate system in place for people who want to try to work again after being on disability for a while. But it's there when it's needed. Good luck.

[Victoria'smom]

My husband has been trying to get ssi for 3 yrs unsuccessfully. He's only been able to keep a job for 2 months at a time and takes 6 or more months to be well enough to start looking for work. He gets incredibly depressed each time he gets fired or a denial letters. He's unable to get food stamps and only able to get medical because I am disabled and have a child.

[cool09]

I'm 49 and been on SSDI twice (1993-1997, 2004-present). If you have work and Psychiatrist documentation that you are not functioning and can not hold a job due to symptoms associated with BP you should get SSDI. Everyone gets turned down after applying then you have to appeal and go to court (takes 6 mths). Get yourself a good lawyer. I had an excellent lawyer in Phila PA from Princeton. He told me that he would rather take a mental disability case than a physical disability case (ie. back injury) because the latter is usually harder to prove.

SSDI benefits are based on your age and your average earnings during your working years.

[jadedbutterfly]

I didn't get rejected the first time I applied. But then I was so "gone" that I had a DMH worker who did the paperwork for / with me. I receive SSD and SSI because I didn't work long enough to be on full disability. I got lucky I guess because I was able to get into subsidized housing and no problem getting food stamps.
I cannot work. when I did I rarely made it a full month because of my psych issues. If you have a T and a Pdoc maybe they can find someone to help you through the whole process of applying... like a case worker.
Wishing you luck

ssa.gov is the official social security website and is a great resource. i am no expert on the matter but am familiar with applying and i helped my boyfriend (he has bipolar 1, like me) apply. PM me if you like. i don't have professional advice to share but i'm here to support and i do have direct experience with the process.

Me, I am on SSDI/disabled since 2009. i'm an attorney but cannot work anymore. i was diagnosed in 2006 and have been in treatment the entire time for bipolar type 1 (and some other stuff, mainly anxiety).

i applied online for disability/SSDI directly thru the social security's website. i was approved 3 months later. it seems more common for people to have to go thru a longer process, appeals, etc.

Now I am experiencing the reviewal process to determine if i still qualify to get benefits. it is nerve-wracking, but routine.
my pdoc told me at my appt this week that i am too sick to work. i am still waiting to hear back from social security to see if my benefits will continue/if they still consider me disabled. of course, no disability = no benefits. keep your fingers crossed.

i know i am disabled. my financial survival and health insurance and rx insurance is all riding on this because i cannot work anymore. i am a single mom and financially have no one in my life to lean on (which is ok, just no cushion).

weird how life turns out. never thought i'd be where i am today in life. puzzling, but i accept it. good things have happened along the way - bipolar, divorce after 16 yr marriage, becoming poor again, and not being able to pursue my professional work due to illness...well, they haven't been the good things. lol oh well.

[deelooted]

Me, too... have never held a job longer than 6 months, maybe a year max....fired from every single one.

I have a friend who got disability for bipolar 1, took her about 9 months for the whole process...she is about to be housed, too! after being homeless for about a year. I wish you the best, blessings and prayers to you.