[LandingSanely]

I kind of fear I am going to lose my job. In the last 3 years I have lost 2 jobs, related to my depression etc. It makes it impossible for me to cope sometimes. Luckily I have always found a job again.

Does anyone know if there is any sort of disability over mental disorders or anything?

[bridgie]

Pretty sure there is call soc security they will send you paper work

[Rohag]

Hello, LandingSanely! The answer is "yes" generally. Here's the technical information for the US Social Security Administration - Social Security Online, Disability Programs: 12.00 Mental Disorders - Adult. Other countries have their own mental disorders disability programs.

Frankly, it's a complicated, often lengthy process. I've heard stories of people applying for disability and simply giving up the quest because, given their illnesses, they just don't have the focus or energy to complete the process. Others make it through the application process; the vast majority of those are turned down - or so it seems to me. (I imagine the disability bureaucrats joking with one another: "Hey, this person correctly got through the disability application process - that proves they're not disabled!") Some of those who get turned down seek out lawyers specializing in disability claims and, like magic, the majority of those claims are accepted. The lawyers take as their pay a percentage of the the lump sum you first receive from the government; if your claim is approved, you're paid from the date of the application up to a year prior, and the percentage the lawyers can take is set by law.

No, you don't have to go it alone first, you can go straight to a disability claims lawyer.

[LandingSanely]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Hello, LandingSanely! The answer is "yes" generally. Here's the technical information for the US Social Security Administration - Social Security Online, Disability Programs: 12.00 Mental Disorders - Adult. Other countries have their own mental disorders disability programs.

Frankly, it's a complicated, often lengthy process. I've heard stories of people applying for disability and simply giving up the quest because, given their illnesses, they just don't have the focus or energy to complete the process. Others make it through the application process; the vast majority of those are turned down - or so it seems to me. (I imagine the disability bureaucrats joking with one another: "Hey, this person correctly got through the disability application process - that proves they're not disabled!") Some of those who get turned down seek out lawyers specializing in disability claims and, like magic, the majority of those claims are accepted. The lawyers take as their pay a percentage of the the lump sum you first receive from the government; if your claim is approved, you're paid from the date of the application up to a year prior, and the percentage the lawyers can take is set by law.

No, you don't have to go it alone first, you can go straight to a disability claims lawyer.

Thanks. There is more going on with my emotional issues than I let on, as I hesitate to post on the internet. I know of employers doing searches and finding interesting information. I have resigned from one job that was very difficult to get, have been fired from 2 jobs, and had to quit one because of criminal activities my boss was involved in - and is now an ongoing legal thing in which I am a witness. I have a job but fear I might get fired due to saying innapropriate things - profanity etc. I have already had my boss talk to me about a complaint they received about me. I just am not coping well. And I know my ongoing "emotional" issues are a large part of it.

As I said there is more to my issues I am here for than I let on, out of fear of future repercussions that might come about from people doing searches online.

[lynn09]

Hey, ((((LandingSanely)))). I went through a lawyer who specialized in SS Disability claims; he was formerly an attorney for the Social Security Administration-Disability, so he knew the system from the inside. He handled everything - I gave him a list of my physicians, and he took it all from there. The review process takes about 6 months during which time you will probably be contacted by an SSD caseworker for interviews, and you may be sent to a SSA doctor/psych for evaluation. Once SSD is awarded, the first check is retroactive back to the 1st of the month following the date of filing. The attorney's fee was deducted and sent to him separately by the SSA; the cap for attorney fees at that time was 25% (of that initial lump-sum payment). Quite frankly, I do not know how anyone can manage to handle the initial filing on their own - I wouldn't recommend it - too much stress, and you have a much better chance of your disability being approved with the first submission of the claim using an attorney instead of doing it yourself - the attorney makes absolutely certain that all of your rights are protected in the process. There is a 2-year waiting period after the official disability date to be eligible for Medicare coverage. You have worked; you have paid into the system; you are entitled to these benefits. I understand your concern regarding the stigma associated with receiving disabiliity - but your physical and mental well-being is more important, and having these benefits can help you and your family survive until you are back on your feet again. Best of luck to you.

[billieJ]

Originally Posted by LandingSanely

I kind of fear I am going to lose my job. In the last 3 years I have lost 2 jobs, related to my depression etc. It makes it impossible for me to cope sometimes. Luckily I have always found a job again.

Does anyone know if there is any sort of disability over mental disorders or anything?

Yes. My Mental Health and Mental Retardation [MHMR] provider filled out the 6-hours of computer forms for me. Go prepared. Call SSA, but I think you need a birth certificate and SS card. Take these, along with: all the jobs you lost, dates, and reasons lost; names of all doctors treating you for ANYTHING dysfunction - thier diagnoses, names/addresses/ph #'s and the medications/treatment their prescribed. Don't exclude medical diagnoses. For each diagnosis, on the page for added comments, explain how each diagnoses makes you unable to work at any job. E. G. Depression impairs my ability to intiate, maintain and concentrate on tasks so that I can't keep up work in a timely manner; Spondolesthesis of the back makes it hard to sit, walk, vaccum and rake; forefoot pain makes walking even more difficult; tremors impair my ability to write and type, etc. Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder tend to quality, I believe, but include ALL dysfunctional medical problems. billieJ

[VickiesPath]

I actually filed my own application for Social Security Disability and was granted disability the first time. That was rare. I think the reason I was accepted was two-told:

1) I used to be a paralegal. I researched all of the SSA website to find out how they defined a disability and what documentation they need to support it.

2) I also researched the web for websites of disability advocate organizations and took their advice for filling out the forms.

When the SSA reads your application, they do not assume any knowledge of your disability. What I mean is, you have to spell out how your condition interferes with the normal function of your major life activities, such as work, school, household chores, shopping, etc. Also, you have to establish (to the best of my memory) how you are no longer able, because of your disability, to work in your chosen profession.

I cannot stress enough how detailed you must be on the application. You have to list all the symptoms of depression, for example, and how you experience those and how they keep you from doing the daily things a normal person does. In my case, I had both a mental disability and a physical disability. I had to have statements from both my pdoc and my general doc about my illnesses.

Yes, disability lawyers are helpful. When I began receiving disability, it was only a one year wait for Medicare. I'm not sure if they changed it to 2 years or not. It's possible. Also, once your beginning date of disability is established, there's a six month disqualification period. In other words, you don't get a benefit for the first six months from the date you officially became disabled.

[Mindtravler]

Originally Posted by LandingSanely

I kind of fear I am going to lose my job. In the last 3 years I have lost 2 jobs, related to my depression etc. It makes it impossible for me to cope sometimes. Luckily I have always found a job again.

Does anyone know if there is any sort of disability over mental disorders or anything?

Yes there are. First all the changes you are going through should be documented with your medical doctor, therapist and psychiatris. Should also demonstrate how long you have suffered, how many times you've been fired and you inability to perform because of you mental disorders.
They apply for social securety disability.

See what happens. But note that you may have to appeal their first decsion b/c my understanding is they do this to us all the time. Get a lawyer who will help develop your case and he'll get paid when you do.

Just try!