SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI with Bipolar Disorder


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
Bipolar disorder affects about 6 million people age 18 (bipolar disorder can affect younger children as well) and older each year, or roughly 2.5 percent of the American population. Nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a near relative who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or unipolar depression, which suggests that there is a heritable component to this condition.

Studies conducted during the last few years seem to indicate that many individuals with bipolar disorder never receive proper treatment or go untreated. Individuals who suffer the ups and downs of this condition have the highest suicide rate of among all the mental disorders; recent statistical information indicates that one in three people diagnosed with bipolar disorder attempt suicide, while one in five of those who attempt suicide are successful.

People with bipolar disorder often have other issues such as alcohol or substance abuse along with their bipolar disorder (self medication is very prevalent). Even without alcohol or substance dependence, bipolar disorder may contribute to obesity (about 35 percent suffer from obesity), diabetes (people with bipolar disorder are three times more likely to have diabetes), heart disease, or strokes (they are about two times more likely to have a stroke or heart disease). Considering the increased risk of additional physical and/or mental conditions along with the depressive and manic symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is not difficult to imagine why bipolar disorder can be so disabling.

Social Security recognizes that bipolar disorder is a severe medical condition that could prevent an individual from performing work activity at the SGA (substantial gainful activity) level. The Social Security definition of disability maintains that a "disability" is any medically determinable mental or physical condition that has prevented an individual from working and receiving earnings equal to the SGA limit, or is expected to prevent the performance of SGA-level work activity for twelve continuous months, or is expected to result in their death.

The Social Security disability guidebook evaluates the severity requirements needed to be approved for disability on the basis of bipolar disorder under mental impairment listing 12.04 Affective Disorders, section A 3. The listing requires that an individual have a history of episodic periods, documented by the full symptomatic range of both manic and depressive syndrome symptoms (the current episode may be characterized by either or both syndromes). Symptoms of both depressive and manic syndromes are listed below; along with the criteria listed in section B or C of the impairment listing.

Depressive syndrome symptoms might include, but are not limited to:

  • Sleep disturbance
  • Difficulty concentrating or thinking
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Lack of energy or fatigue
  • Appetite disturbances (weight gain or weight loss)
  • Anhedonia (loss of interest in most activities)
  • Delusions
  • Paranoid thinking


Manic syndrome symptoms might include, but are not limited to:

  • Hyperactivity
  • Decreased need for sleep
  • Flight of ideas
  • Inflated self esteem
  • Pressured speech
  • Easy distractibility
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Paranoid thinking
  • Involvement in activities that are likely to cause painful consequences without realizing it


With all of these potential symptoms, bipolar disorder could easily cause an affected individual significant difficulties with daily living activities, including work activity.

Section B states that the bipolar condition must result in a significant restriction of daily activities; or severe difficulties maintaining social functioning; or repeated instances of decompensation that last for extended periods of time; or significant difficulties with persistence, concentration, or pace.

Section C states that there must be a medically documented history of chronic affective disorder (in this case bipolar disorder) of at least two years duration that has caused more than a small limitation of the individual's ability to perform basic work tasks, even with symptoms being controlled by medication or psychosocial support with one of the following:

  • Repeated decompensation episodes of extended duration
  • A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a small change in environment or increase in mental demands could be predicted to cause the person to decompensate, or a current one year or more history of a failure to function outside of a very supportive living environment with a projected continued need for the supportive living arrangement


Even if a person does not meet or medically equal the severity requirements of impairment listing 12.04 A3, B, or C, they still may be able to be approved for disability benefits.

If a person does not meet or equal the criteria of an impairment listing, disability examiners will consider the following factors: the claimant's age, their education, their past work (jobs performed for three months or more while earning SGA during the previous fifteen years), the transferability of their job skills, their residual functional capacity (what they are able to do despite the limitations imposed upon them by their impairment), and their ability to perform other types of work when their limitations are considered.

These factors are taken into consideration so that a medical vocational determination can be made. If the disability examiner finds that a person is unable to perform past work or any other work because of their bipolar disorder, or any other impairment, they may be approved for disability benefits. Note: most disability claims are approved on the basis of a medical vocational allowance and this is why it is very important to have full access to a claimant's medical and work history.















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Individual Questions and Answers


  • Qualifying for Disability - Who Qualifies for SSD or SSI benefits?

  • Medical Records for Social Security Disability and SSI Cases

  • Can a Disability Examiner or Judge make a Social Security Approval with Old Medical Records?

  • If I am Awarded Social Security Disability Will My Benefits be Cutoff Later?

  • Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Social Security Disability Fee and What a Lawyer is Paid

  • How do I request a social security disability hearing - How do I file?

  • Financial help when filing for Disability

  • How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits When You First File?

  • Filing an Appeal after a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

  • Applying for disability benefits in Missouri

  • What to do (forms to complete) if you receive a Denial on a Social Security Disability or SSI Case?

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability

  • Filing for Social Security disability- what to bring when you apply

  • If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?

  • SSI Disability - Filing for SSI Benefits

  • The Social Security Disability Approval Process

  • Does The Social Security Disability Reconsideration Have A Time Limit?

  • Peripheral Neuropathy, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • Can I Receive More Social Security Disability If I Get Another Condition Or Illness?

  • What Does It Mean If you Are Denied For Disability Because Of Other Work?

  • If I Get Denied Twice For Disability, What Do I Do?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Ohio

  • How do you apply for disability for your child or your children ?

  • What should you get from your doctor to file for disability benefits?

  • Can you file for Social Security disability for a mental disorder or problem?

  • Restless Leg Syndrome and Filing for Disability

  • Social Security Disability Attorney- do I need one to win my case?

  • When should you File for Disability benefits with the social security administration?

  • Will I Qualify For SSI, How Do I Get Approved?

  • Will An Attorney Be More Successful On A Social Security Appeal?

  • Will my disability case be reviewed after I have been approved for disability benefits ?

  • How long does it take to be approved for Social Security disability ?

  • Social Security Disability Appeal Deadlines Are Always 60 Days

  • Renal Failure and Filing for Disability

  • Can You Appeal A Decision By A Judge On A Social Security Disability or SSI Case?

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • Who handles my case if I apply for Social Security disability ?

  • How to Apply for Disability, What medical conditions can you apply for disability for ?

  • What Are The Steps To Applying For Disability Benefits from Social Security?

  • If You Get Denied For Disability Should You appeal Or file A New Claim?

  • What Happens After You File For Disability Benefits?

  • Social Security Disability Application Online
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials