Disability questions (SSDI & SSI)

I’m currently dealing with an appeal for my disability claim. I was denied then I got a lawyer to help with the appeal process. My disability is for bipolar disorder.

Anyone here on or know someone who is on disability?
What for? (I’m told it’s harder for mental health)
How long was your wait or process?
And after you got approved, how long until you got a check?
What is the review process like? I’m told you have to review yearly after getting disability benefits.
While waiting how did you deal with bill pile up?

I’m not working and the bills are adding up. I’m just barely getting by.
Thanks for any feedback.

I'm on SSDI for bipolar. I was approved in 11 weeks which is really fast but happens occasionally. I got a check about a month after approval I think; I don't remember that very well. Reviews are done either every 3 years (typical) or 5 (rare with mental health). I was very fortunate to have family help while waiting for approval. I don't know what would have happened if it took longer. I did have a long time without insurance but was able to use charity care to see my pdoc and get the medical care I needed.

I hope your request gets approved

I got approved pretty quick for other disabilities....

I was approved after a few months. I hear voices though. Took 6 months to get a check. Than I got back pay.

Sometimes it can take up to 2 years to get approved. Also, I think this administration is trying to cut off people from disability. I think it's especially hard with mental health. My brother is on disability and undergoing the review process right now. I'm not sure what all is involved, as my dad does the paperwork.

It took my husband a little over 5 years from start to finish. They denied him just long enough that he only qualified for SSI and not SSDI. He missed the cutoff by 30 days. Once he was approved he got his first check within 6 weeks then the rest of his backpay came in about another 3 months. I think his checks for the SSI started the month after he was approved.

I was a mess when I was approved, my pdoc had me fill out papers and my doctors filled out papers and I was approved fairly quickly.

Not according to the Social Security Administration:

The SSA doesn't expect bipolar disorder to improve.

the 1st time applied, i was promptly denied. the 2nd time, it was a psychiatrist's idea for me to apply. he worked at a community/state-funded outpatient mental health clinic. 2nd time...I had my dad take me down to the local social security office, had some face to face interaction with some (surprisingly nice and professional) people, then it was approved.

i was reviewed every.single.year for....3, 4 years. kinda forget, now. it was unnerving, let's put it that way. after the last review i think somehow i got reclassified to be reviewed a bit less often, thank goodness.

I've heard that Trump's Presidency is making it worse for those on disability or applying for disability. You were wise to get a lawyer.

sorry about your situation.

i work for a homeless shelter and from what I see the following is true.

It can take a long time - 2-3 years with about 2 appeals.

MI is easier. I've have folks with MI get abPproved 6 moths, but people with major organ failure die without approval. I actually had one case where the man had a stoke and was on a ventilator get denied. He died 3 fDays after getting denied the second time.

Using SOAR speeds thing up considerably. Although the process is geared towards case workers the step an documentation can be used by anyone. Here's the link SOAR Technical Assistance (TA) Center | SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Check out the application tool box for resource

I've been on SSDI since 1997, but my claim with them took over 2-years, 10-months, 3-weeks and 2 days to settle. I basically lost everything I had and my wife worked 2 jobs to "just get by." You've contacted an Attorney, if the Attorney you contacted does not work on a contingency basis, find one that does immediately! Let the Attorney fight it out in Court. My Attorney fees totaled 33.333% of the total award from SSDI along with filing fees and other court costs. Your award from SSDI will take a long time to settle, as the Attorney's for SSDI are extremely hard core to not let you get anything from the Government. You will also need to contact a therapist about counseling for yourself and anyone who is in your immediate family who's helping you. Good luck.

I had been in-patient for 7 months when I had to make the switch from private long term disability insurance from my employer to SSDI. The hospital social worker put completed paperwork in front of me to sign. I signed it. According to the person legally designated to make financial decisions for me at the time, the SSDI claim was approved in 3 weeks and the first check arrived 2 weeks later. She said there was a back amount between the overlap of my two insurances. I was on SSDI for 10 years. With the help of an amazingly patient and encouraging psychiatrist I went back to work in my professional field in 2008. Returning to the workforce was one of the greatest achievements of my long treatment. Disability insurance doesn't have to be forever.

How are you doing, Chococat626? Did your request get approved? I hope things will get better soon for you. Is there anything we can do to help you? Please let us know. Remember that we're here for you. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

i was on ssdi for 7 years in the 80s to early 90s. I got it in one try and received it for myself and my daughter it was rough living but i got off it and went back to school and was able to work from 1994 till about 2011. I was encouraged to apply for ssdi again and was accepted right away with the help of my psychiatrist, cardiologist and pulmonologist. They all filled out forms and wrote letters and it really helped it along.
I think having your doctor involved really helps, it doesn't take much of their time to help you out and get the results you need.
It must be hard to have to go thru appeal after appeal.
Good Luck to all of you applying, Tams