Social Security Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder

Receiving Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder was once known as Manic Depressive disorder due to periods of extreme euphoria, followed by bouts of severe depression. Bipolar disorder can be considered a disability under the Social Security disability program if you meet the work and medical requirements. Specifically, you must have 40 work credits to receive SS disability benefits, 20 of which were earned over the past 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. Once you meet the work, resource, and income requirements, you must meet the medical requirements outlined in the SSA impairment listings.

According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million adult Americans. The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years, although the illness can begin in early childhood, or as late as the 50s. More than two-thirds of those with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness, indicating a genetic component.

Having bipolar disorder can definitely affect your ability to work and make a living, as well as impacting your ability to accomplish normal day-to-day tasks. It can be important to have an experienced Social Security disability attorney to assist you with your application and/or appeals as you seek disability benefits. The attorneys from Carmichael Law Group understand what you are going through and want to help you obtain the disability benefits you need. Because SS disability is what we do, we are highly skilled in every aspect of receiving disability benefits.

We are particularly skilled in telling your story. Your story clearly shows the impact your impairment has had on your ability to work as well as your ability to handle normal, day-to-day activities. Once we ensure you meet SSA’s five-step review process, we will begin crafting your story to give you the very best chance of receiving the disability benefits you need and deserve.

The five-step review process includes:

• Do you make too much money?
• Is your impairment severe?
• Is your condition in the official impairment list?
• Does your condition interfere with the type of work you did previously?
• Can you do a different job?

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a disorder of the brain that results in significant changes to an individual’s ability to function, energy levels, and mood. Those with bipolar disorder experience intense mood episodes, that can be categorized as manic (abnormally happy or irritable) or depressive (abnormally sad).

Those with bipolar disorder may also have periods of “neutral” moods as well. While all humans experience fluctuations of their mood, these fluctuations generally last hours, rather than days, and are not characterized by the extreme degree of behavioral changes.

Bipolar disorder includes bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Between 80 and 90 percent of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a close relative with bipolar disorder or depression. Environmental factors including the use of drugs or alcohol, extreme stress, or sleep disruption can trigger bipolar episodes among vulnerable people.