[buzz bee]

Does anyone collect disability for their bipolar? Im going to apply and see. Im unable to keep a job down for a long period of time (5 years has been the most). And of course all the other stuff that goes with it.

Does anyone collect?

[HALLIEBETH87]

I wouldn't say I "collect" so much as accept help while Im trying to get back on my feet. Im ashamed of it.

[jesusplay]

I get disability from veteran affairs and social security since I was 22.

I have no shame, I was doing great until symptoms started. I guess I'm bless it occured doing service because I get compensation for it.

I just bought a house.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm on SSI for CP my husband tried for BP but was denied and so was my son. I go back and forth about being embarrassed but it's medical, and food assistance that really get to me. I would love to work but I doubt that any Dr would sign my okay.

[Tucson]

I have been on disability for fifteen years. I was accepted during the appeal process without having to go to court. I now have disability for BP. I have not had one review yet. Lucky I guess. Get a lawyer.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I got it this yr. I am reviewed next yr.

[Terabithia]

I have schizoaffective disorder, but I'm pretty sure that when I applied for social security disability benefits I was diagnosed as bipolar. I had a long record of hospitalizations and was approved pretty quickly. I know many people have to go to court. I feel ashamed sometimes, especially when a person asks what I do, but I don't ever want to go off of it, because there's too high a chance of me getting sick again. It's income that we need and I have little confidence that I can hold down a job.

[cool09]

I was on SSDI 1993-1996 and 2004-Present. Long history of hospitalizations, functioning at a minimum with agitated depression (or mixed states, form of Bipolar) and dissociative disorder. I had an excellent Lawyer in 2004 and appealed twice for two yrs backpay. Judge allowed one yr backpay and his decision was overturned after the second appeal by the SSA Appeals Court. (eg. Every decision made by a Judge goes to the Appeals Council for review and can be overturned. The Judge did not look at my pay stubs for 2002 which showed that I only completed like 35% of all 8 hr days.) I'm not ashamed but the few people I've told sure do seem offended. I feel like I'm part of a witch hunt sometimes. (I only state I'm disabled if I'm backed into a corner by someone.) I'd love to work and get out of poverty and live a "normal" life, believe me.

I responded very well to Paxil in 1996 and started working FT in data entry then engineering and eventually relapsed by 2001. (First really diagnosed as BP in 2003. During the 15 yrs prior to that I had every diagnosis.)

[~Christina]

I am on disability... One for my bipolar and also for my Fibromyalgia .. It was a long process. My state is over whelmed with applications so it took forever. I did have an attorney.

I have a boat load of records and IP stays.. My pdoc and T convinced me to file. I fought tooth and nail to not do it. Eventually I realized I needed help.. The thing is you just receiving your Social security earlier than normal if you qualify.

You need your Pdoc to agree that you need this. If your Pdoc isnt behind you its almost impossible to get a favorable response from Social security.

[crubba67]

I’m on SSDI for bipolar. I was denied both at my first application and my appeal so I had to get a lawyer and go to a hearing before a judge and I was awarded benefits on the spot. The whole process took about 2 ½ years, most of it waiting for my hearing. I had a checkered job history bouncing from job to job showing a decline in skill level over time and had been unemployed for 4 years. I also had records from a hospitalization, records from 3 psychiatrists, two therapists and a court order appointing my parents as my legal guardians. The judge seemed most interested in my GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) scores, which ranged from 25-70. She also was interested in my meds, of which I take a lot, and how they affected my ability to work. And that’s the key. You can bring all the records in the world to prove that your bipolar but you need to prove that because of your condition you are unable to work, even part time. Not just in your respective field, but ANY job in the national economy.

[notALICE]

I want to go on disability. I was stonewalled by those centers that call. One said I hadn't been hospitalized, making my chances less. The other said my husband makes too much money. What does that have to do with my ability to work? I am contacting a local attorney. Moving an excess of times, not being able to keep a job for longer than 3 years, and the last two lasted weeks each.

It would help so much, although I understand it's a long process. Almost willing to check in for a better chance at it, and I know there are a few times I should have.

I wouldn't be ashamed. I'm more ashamed I can't hold it together for any length of time to function normally. Plus I am so dependent on my husband, which is not a healthy relationship ATM.

I've worked, paid taxes, SSI. Worked more than 5 years in a ten year period, but oh so not consecutively. What are the success rates or getting it?

This has been on my mind for awhile. I cannot support myself.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Its different for everyone, really. There is a caseworker on your case and they contact you for more info, etc. I was denied the first time and then I got a lawyer and was approved less than 3 months after. rare! Even my lawyer was expecting wed have to go to court. But, I have a review next fall.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by crubba67

I’m on SSDI for bipolar. I was denied both at my first application and my appeal so I had to get a lawyer and go to a hearing before a judge and I was awarded benefits on the spot. The whole process took about 2 ½ years, most of it waiting for my hearing. I had a checkered job history bouncing from job to job showing a decline in skill level over time and had been unemployed for 4 years. I also had records from a hospitalization, records from 3 psychiatrists, two therapists and a court order appointing my parents as my legal guardians. The judge seemed most interested in my GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) scores, which ranged from 25-70. She also was interested in my meds, of which I take a lot, and how they affected my ability to work. And that’s the key. You can bring all the records in the world to prove that your bipolar but you need to prove that because of your condition you are unable to work, even part time. Not just in your respective field, but ANY job in the national economy.

I think this is what most people do not understand. You should not even be able to reliably hold down a job pushing a broom.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I had all of my hospitalizations and doctors from 10 yrs. Since I was 17. It was full of GAF scores and showed a clear pattern of my swings through the years.

[lilypup]

I am on SSDI and also private disability insurance. No one ever ONCE asked how much money we had or made. I was simply disabled and could not work. I had 26 years of psych records and plenty of T records. I had been IP many times. I got them both on the first try.
I was a teacher and said "I really don't want to see hallucinations in front of my bunch of third graders. I think it might scare them." She signed right off.
You also might try the insurance and finance forum for more info.

[gubernova]

Yup, my psychiatrist helped me get disability but it's not much and medicaid or medicare I forget. The best part is I get out of jury duty.