Approved for SSDI today

piano97 · Nov 17, 2016, 08:51 AM

Hi I checked status online this morning (like every morning last few weeks!!)
and it is approved! First deposit will be next month, and a back payment of 8 months.

I applied in late August. It went to a 'quality review' on the 20th of October. I think they are using an onset date of August 2015. I didn't work from then until this march, then didn't last long at that job and had a manic episode.

This is the first time I applied and am really pleased with outcome in less than 3 months. My dx is Bipolar 1 with rapid cycling.

I hope this gives some hope to others. It is a big relief to have income now. My parents having been helping me get by.

I thing I will say is advocate for yourselves and never shy away from that. I sent in a ton of documentation and wrote a couple letters to explain the documents. It must have helped because it went thru so quickly.

I'm so relieved. Now I can file LTD from former employer and I don't think there's much they can say given that SSDI declared me to be disabled during the time I was still trying to work.

Thanks all, ask any questions, hope everyone is having a good day.

gayleggg · Nov 17, 2016, 09:04 AM

Congratulations. I'm sure it will be a source of hope for many. It took me six months so you did good getting yours in 3 months.

raspberrytorte · Nov 17, 2016, 09:07 AM

This is fantastic news, piano!

piano97 · Nov 17, 2016, 09:23 AM

It is a huge relief.

BeyondtheRainbow · Nov 17, 2016, 10:38 AM

I'm so happy for you!

piano97 · Nov 17, 2016, 10:45 AM

Thanks! Huge relief. Any sense of "it's all in my head. I don't have bipolar. I'm weak. etc" All of that is gone. If SS says I'm disabled, I'm disabled. It means I have time to heal without beating myself up. I was really sick over the summer. Hoping to avert depression with winter (was really bad last year). So far so good. Our weather has been sunny almost everyday for weeks, and today and tomorrow is in 70s. I've been exercising too. I was already going downhill fast last year at this time, so I think I'm on the right track. What a relief.

hopeless2015 · Nov 17, 2016, 11:12 AM

Such good news, I'm so happy for you!!

Nov 17, 2016, 11:47 AM

That a relief and a load off your shoulders I bet! Congratulation and may this help you on your journey to stability. (((Hugs)))

piano97 · Nov 17, 2016, 12:06 PM

Thank-you. I've never really had a chance to truly stabilize since Nov 2014. Long road. I rushed to go back to work every time after I was sick and now I know that actually made things worse. I did the best I could do at that time and am at peace with it all now. Thanks for your support. Wish the same good things for all others.