| Millions of Americans suffer from bipolar disorder and | | | | counseling sessions, fill your medication prescriptions, |
| other mental health conditions that interfere with their | | | | and do everything else advised by your psychiatrist or |
| ability to work. However, it can be very hard to win | | | | other medical expert. |
| approval for bipolar disability benefits from the Social | | | | 5. Don't Rely on Your Diagnosis: It is not enough to |
| Security Administration, compared to a person who | | | | simply have an official diagnosis of bipolar disorder |
| has an obvious physical disability. Don't give up. It is well | | | | from an accredited medical practitioner. You will only |
| known that bipolar disorder can make employment | | | | win Social Security Disability for bipolar if you |
| impossible, but you will have to work harder to prove | | | | document how your illness impacts your ability to work. |
| your case. | | | | Use your paperwork to show the connections. For |
| Use these 8 winning strategies and get the benefits | | | | example, because of your bipolar disorder you often |
| you need and deserve: | | | | miss work, cannot concentrate and make mistakes in |
| 1. Never Give Up: Don't hesitate to appeal a refusal. In | | | | your work tasks, or get into arguments with |
| fact, the number one tip from most disability experts is | | | | co-workers. |
| Appeal, Appeal, Appeal! Around 75% of claims are | | | | 6. Stay Organized: Never hand over an original |
| denied on the initial application, but most claims are | | | | document unless you have a copy of it. Keep a |
| granted on appeal. Sadly, most applicants don't | | | | complete mirror file of all your completed forms, |
| understand this and 50% give up after their first try. | | | | records and any other paperwork. |
| Beat Social Security at its own game and get that | | | | 7. Be Nice: Yes, the process is difficult, slow and |
| appeal in within the 60 day deadline. | | | | stressful, but the folks at Social Security are stressed |
| 2. Learn the Language: Most applicants for bipolar | | | | too! They have a job to do and you will get nowhere |
| disability are stressed and just want to get the | | | | by losing your cool. Always be calm and polite. If the |
| process over with. This can lead to a lack of research | | | | process sounds overwhelming, then think seriously |
| and cutting corners when filling in forms. To win Social | | | | about our final tip: |
| Security Disability for bipolar you MUST understand all | | | | 8. Get Expert Help: The cost of a professional disability |
| the official definitions and terminology. Make sure your | | | | attorney or other expert representative is regulated by |
| case looks exactly like what the Social Security | | | | law. Usually it will be 25% of back benefits, up to a |
| Administration expects for this type of disability claim. | | | | maximum of $5,300. The average costs are usually |
| For bipolar disorder, this means problems concentrating, | | | | around $2,500. Of course, most people cannot afford |
| thinking clearly, dealing with co-workers, excessive | | | | to spend thousands of dollars. The best solution is to |
| fatigue, poor work attendance, and similar issues. | | | | leverage the expertise of the professionals and use a |
| 3. Don't Delay: Some people think you must be out of | | | | DIY Social Security Disability kit created by an expert |
| work for a year to be eligible for bipolar disability | | | | that takes you step by step through the process of |
| benefits. This is not true. | | | | preparing a bullet proof case for bipolar disability. |
| 4. Get Regular Medical Treatment: The Social Security | | | | Public understanding of bipolar disorder is improving all |
| Administration will not be satisfied unless you can | | | | the time. Follow the 8 strategies above and build a |
| demonstrate a consistent record of medical treatment. | | | | cast iron case for winning Social Security Disability for |
| You must attend your doctor's appointments, | | | | your bipolar. |