bleweyz51
01-16-2003, 05:14 PM
Hi,
I am new to this message board. I have BiPolar I, mania dominated with mixed moods, and rapid cycling. I started out with depression, moved onto panic/anxiety, and then BOOM, manic depression jump-started by Zoloft. Been a member of the BP club for 7 years.
Back to the subject of SSI disability. I applied for it on the day I left my 20 + year career because I could no longer perform my job. It was one of the saddest days in my life. I was told that I could not earn one cent in the six months it would take to determine the award of SSI. I went into shock. Leaving my job had cut our income in half, leaving us pretty strapped. I was scared to death, because we needed my salary to get by. I had created massive debt due to my spending. So, I filled out all of the paperwork, the releases for information from all of my medical sources, and a letter from my Psychiatrist. I did not know what my chances were, but had heard not expect to get it on my first try, and that you always had to get a lawyer,the second try, or you would be turned down again. Well, I waited the six months. One week before the six month period was up, I was notified that they had accepted me. I was VERY relieved, because our savings were to run out the next week. Also, was surprised, because I had never been hospitalize due to my illness, just leaves of absences from my job for med changes, etc. It really depends upon (heavily) the letter that your PDoc (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, etc.) sends to Social Security. Mine was very thorough in what he sent them, and apparently proved to them that I was not fit to work. I get very stressed, and do not do well in the memory dept. drowsy, etc. from meds.
Do not give up on it. Also, some do get it on the first try. I live in Wiscosin, and I know that some States handle SSI differently. Some get back pay to the day you applied. We do not here. Darn!
Think positively, and make sure your Doc knows you are applying, and to expect the letter from SSI, and that it really makes a great difference what he puts in his/her letter!
fawn
I am new to this message board. I have BiPolar I, mania dominated with mixed moods, and rapid cycling. I started out with depression, moved onto panic/anxiety, and then BOOM, manic depression jump-started by Zoloft. Been a member of the BP club for 7 years.
Back to the subject of SSI disability. I applied for it on the day I left my 20 + year career because I could no longer perform my job. It was one of the saddest days in my life. I was told that I could not earn one cent in the six months it would take to determine the award of SSI. I went into shock. Leaving my job had cut our income in half, leaving us pretty strapped. I was scared to death, because we needed my salary to get by. I had created massive debt due to my spending. So, I filled out all of the paperwork, the releases for information from all of my medical sources, and a letter from my Psychiatrist. I did not know what my chances were, but had heard not expect to get it on my first try, and that you always had to get a lawyer,the second try, or you would be turned down again. Well, I waited the six months. One week before the six month period was up, I was notified that they had accepted me. I was VERY relieved, because our savings were to run out the next week. Also, was surprised, because I had never been hospitalize due to my illness, just leaves of absences from my job for med changes, etc. It really depends upon (heavily) the letter that your PDoc (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, etc.) sends to Social Security. Mine was very thorough in what he sent them, and apparently proved to them that I was not fit to work. I get very stressed, and do not do well in the memory dept. drowsy, etc. from meds.
Do not give up on it. Also, some do get it on the first try. I live in Wiscosin, and I know that some States handle SSI differently. Some get back pay to the day you applied. We do not here. Darn!
Think positively, and make sure your Doc knows you are applying, and to expect the letter from SSI, and that it really makes a great difference what he puts in his/her letter!
fawn