Hello. So, I live in Canada. For those in the states, this is our long term disability option.

So, I'm thinking of applying. I have Bipolar type 2, Borderline Personality, and some form of OCD.

I have been hospitalized 4 times. Been off work since December. Thing is, my short term disability ends June 20th. After that, I would have no money coming in. Our family cannot afford for one of us to not have any money brought into the household.

Now, if I apply for CPPD, I would have to wait months for a decision. And, the decision would probably be no, on the first try. Then I would have to re-apply with either new information or ask for another's opinion.

I don't know if it's the meds I'm on or just the nature of the illness, but my cognitive abilities have gone way down. I have huge trouble thinking of words, I can't remember where anything is in my kitchen, I was confused looking at the grocery list this morning, have almost taken the wrong amount of pills, can't spell for the life of me, etc. etc.

Now my question is, if anyone has kind of been in the same boat, have you gotten approved? I'm only 35 so I really don't know if they would approve me. I used to do administrative work, but going back to work scares the life out of me. I would definitely not be able to perform at near the level I was before I left. I would feel so stupid because of my cognitive decline.

So, any help/suggestions?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I haven't been through the Canadian system but the US system also usually has long delays and initial denials. I applied certain that it would take a few years and that I would depend on my mom for all that time (and eventually would give her all my back pay) and instead I was approved in just over 2 months since I sent in the first form. There is some percentage of people approved the first time and you don't know if you are one if you don't apply. In my case I was selected by a computer program that scans the information submitted and if there is someone who there is no chance that they will not be approved they just approve it without doing a big review. That's a small percent of cases and even smaller for mental illness but it does happen; I'm living proof. It helps (here) to be sure when you fill uout the forms to emphasize that you can only do _______ with ____ assistance or that doing _____ requires 3 days of rest after completing it, etc. Don't highlight what you can do but what you are unable to do and why. Cognition was a big reason I couldn't go back and I was afraid it would be too hard to explain that but either my paperwork showed exactly how bad it was or my dr's notes did because I did get approved so fast. And I am so grateful for that; I know there are people who applied when I did 3 years ago who are still waiting. I can't imagine that; I would have been bankrupt by now and my mom would be working instead of retired just to support me (which would be awful as she was really ready to retire and did so within hours of my approval).

It's hard but if you really think you can't work it's worth trying the application and seeing what happens.

[BipolaRNurse]

Count me in as another person who got approved on the first try (I'm in the US as well) and didn't wait long. I didn't even have to see their psychiatrist, just a medical doctor who checked me over to see what I could do physically (which isn't much). I guess my own pdoc's documentation and hospital notes were sufficient for the SSA. I'm sure it also helped that I am over 55 and no one wants to hire people in my age bracket.

I think if you are totally disabled you will get payments. Wishing you the best of luck.

[Skitz13]

Hi there

I'm Canadian and am on CPPD. It took me almost 3 years to get on. I ended up having to go to the Tribunal. It can be a very lengthy process.

Oh ya and by the way. If you do get approved you need to know that you have to pay taxes on it.

If you want to talk more, you can pm me