[Crook32]

So I know have a pdoc, primary care dr and three therapist all think I should go on disability. However 2 lawyers say there is no way I would qualify. I know people with bipolar have gotten it. I am not sure I want to take the chance even though it might be better for me. But the lawyers say I need to quit my job and make $1200 or less a month. That is scary.

[Soupe du jour]

Hi Crook. It's a shame that you can have a large number of healthcare professionals recommend disability, yet the US government make it difficult to get it. I'm not quite sure what to recommend, but I have heard of people being awarded SSDI while working. Not many, though, and usually after some appeal(s). Also, not lately. It's possible that some future change in "attitudes" in the government could make it easier, but I can't be sure of that.

If it gets to the point where you can't manage at work anymore, is there somewhere you could stay that would allow for a much lower income for survival?

[bpcyclist]

If they were disability lawyers, they probably know what the issues wld be, as that is what they do.

My disability was approved aftwr an exhaustive review that took forever. But I had had back-to-back serious S attempts an multiple hospitalizations. Was completely psychotic when filling out paperwork. Ugh. Anyway, it does seem to take a pretty compelling story much of the time. They do make it hard.

Hugs.

[*Beth*]

There are 2 types of disability. SSDI and SSI. SSDI is for people who have worked, but are unable to continue working due to a disabling condition.

SSI doesn't have anything to do with work, it's just for someone who is disabled.

I applied for SSDI in October of 2018 and was denied. So I hired a lawyer, did every single step of the whole process on time, stuck with my mental health providers and with my treatment. I had a hearing a few weeks ago and was approved for SSDI. The approval was for bipolar disorder and for PTSD.

I'm not sure what the heck people are supposed to live on during the long approval process. Savings of some sort? I'm married, have zero savings, so have been squeaking by on my husband's pretty small income, Medicaid, and food assistance.

I strongly suggest that (if at all possible) you begin the application process asap, because it takes a long time. But time passes anyway, and if you're approved it's well worth the work and patience.

[Crook32]

Both lawyers said I was too young and to try again when I am 50. They also said I make too much money and if I can you a broom I won’t qualify. I acted like if I am not in bed drooling don’t bother filing. On top of everything I am in the 1% that lost my security clearance because of my mental health and the lawyer said it doesn’t matter. So one hand of the government strips my clearance but another part of the government says I am not disabled.

[Moose72]

I applied and got SSI first thing out of the gate. I had a lot of hospitalizations in my records though.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

The application process at first isn't that hard. You can do it without a lawyer. The social security people request all your records; you don't have to. If you don't get approved at first then talk to lawyers again. But I would try just to see. I was approved in 11 weeks and I did it myself. My plan had been to apply myself and if it failed hire an attorney. The lawyers are the experts and may very well be right but it doesn't hurt to try.

[bpcyclist]

They told me IP stays were important in the calculus, but I dunno.

[BadGirlBlues]

I have had rampaging bipolar for two decades, EIGHT IP stays of various lengths, two serious suicide attempts, and was on the verge of homelessness.

I BARELY squeaked through and got disability.

It is a whole new world, even your psych professionals might not be aware of what it takes to get approved these days.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Crook32

Both lawyers said I was too young and to try again when I am 50. They also said I make too much money and if I can you a broom I won’t qualify. I acted like if I am not in bed drooling don’t bother filing. On top of everything I am in the 1% that lost my security clearance because of my mental health and the lawyer said it doesn’t matter. So one hand of the government strips my clearance but another part of the government says I am not disabled.

Age seems to be a thing with SSDI. Over 50 must score points.

The thing with making too much money - that applies to SSI, not to SSDI. Thet more money you make, the more money you'd get from SSDI.

Do you have consistent relationships with your mental health providers?

[Aviza]

I was working and got approved but i am repaying for the months i was working. Apply and see what happens. I've never used an attorney in the application process. My case manager helped me though.

I got on SSDI despite being young and having a work history, couldn't get SSI because I had more than $2k in the bank at the time. SSI is based on what you have in assets, SSDI is based on your current income.
I say apply and talk to the lawyers again if you get denied. Most people get denied the first time around (although I didn't). I mean, you have multiple MDs saying you should be on disability, it's worth a shot.

edited out something I could have remembered incorrectly.

[*Beth*]

My vote is for you to apply and if you are (most likely) denied, then contact a lawyer who works specifically with SSDI and appeal. Go from there.

[Innerzone]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Age seems to be a thing with SSDI. Over 50 must score points.

The thing with making too much money - that applies to SSI, not to SSDI. Thet more money you make, the more money you'd get from SSDI.

Do you have consistent relationships with your mental health providers?

Over 50 does help, but not all that much. The money made *does* matter with SSDI. The more you *did* make in the past is helpful for your benefit amount, but if it's currently any more than the total Crook gave, they say you are just fine, even though you are broke af. Also, IIRC, that amount is before taxes. They pretty much make the living thing impossible unless you've got savings or support from someone. And it's VERY hard to get it working even that small amount. This I was told by someone well acquainted with many relevant people.

And yes, hospitalizations help. And yup, if you can push a broom, they also say you're just fine.

They make it extremely hard. It's also quite arbitrary. I had providers that had clients less worse off that got it and I fought for 4 or 5 years. It was very demoralizing, especially when you are doing badly (which I very much was at the time). I hope my current good streak stays forever, because I never want to go through that again.

Sorry to be such a bummer, but that's how it can go sometimes.

[Tucson]

If a person is able to work a full time job, why would they be awarded SSDI? The whole point is that due to their illness, you cannot hold down a job. This even includes moving a mop around. Your lawers are correct.

Also if the amount you end up earning is a small fraction of what you are currently making, I do not see how in a realistic way this would effect what you end up getting from SSDI.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Over 50 does help, but not all that much. The money made *does* matter with SSDI. The more you *did* make in the past is helpful for your benefit amount, but if it's currently any more than the total Crook gave, they say you are just fine, even though you are broke af. Also, IIRC, that amount is before taxes. They pretty much make the living thing impossible unless you've got savings or support from someone. And it's VERY hard to get it working even that small amount. This I was told by someone well acquainted with many relevant people.

And yes, hospitalizations help. And yup, if you can push a broom, they also say you're just fine.

They make it extremely hard. It's also quite arbitrary. I had providers that had clients less worse off that got it and I fought for 4 or 5 years. It was very demoralizing, especially when you are doing badly (which I very much was at the time). I hope my current good streak stays forever, because I never want to go through that again.

Sorry to be such a bummer, but that's how it can go sometimes.

I was just awarded SSDI last month after working for 22 months to be approved. My lawyer and the hearing judge payed a lot of attention to my age (57; they mentioned age being significant multiple times). Of major significance was that I've been with the same mental health providers for almost 3 years. I have not been working for 5 years; although part of the reason I got SSDI is for bipolar disorder and PTSD, I also really cannot push a broom without significant pain.

It seems to me that the type of work one does is a determining factor. For example, I worked for 15 years in a cafe. The work was very physical, on my feet at all times (usually no opportunity to take breaks). My body is beat from the hard work and I truly can't "work at my usual job."

The bottom line it seemed was that the judge gave most of his attention to documentation provided by all of my health providers. I did have one 5150, almost two years ago.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Tucson

If a person is able to work a full time job, why would they be awarded SSDI? The whole point is that due to their illness, you cannot hold down a job. This even includes moving a mop around. Your lawers are correct.

Also if the amount you end up earning is a small fraction of what you are currently making, I do not see how in a realistic way this would effect what you end up getting from SSDI.

Actually, those are good points.

[neverending]

When I applied for SSDI I filled out the paperwork myself. It was approved 3 months later. I just happened to be back in the hospital again when the approval came through. I never needed a lawyer.

But that was many years ago.