Every job has its demands, but living with bipolar disorder can add another layer of difficulty. The fluctuating symptoms you experience often put your job at risk. If bipolar disorder is making it challenging to maintain employment, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
Is bipolar disorder a disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes bipolar disorder as a disabling condition. However, you must pass the SSA’s evaluation and stringent requirements to qualify for benefits. The SSA will assess various factors such as how much you are able to earn with your condition, the impact it has on your performance, your ability to perform basic tasks and if you can execute other kinds of jobs.
Having bipolar disorder does not necessarily mean a person cannot work. If the SSA determines you can hold other occupations, you may not qualify for benefits.
On the other hand, you could be eligible for financial assistance if your symptoms prevent you from pursuing most or any job. Medical documentation and records of how bipolar disorder disrupts your work and daily life may help move your case forward.
Establishing the severity of your bipolar disorder
To strengthen your SSD claim, you must demonstrate how bipolar symptoms affect your employment. The following are some crucial documents that may help support your claim:
- Residual Functional Capacity: A medical examination that checks for physical and mental limitations and ability to work.
- Personal medical journal: A detailed log of the symptoms you experience and how they limit or affect your daily life and work.
- Disability letter: Documents from a doctor that validate the severity of your condition.
Applying for SSD benefits with bipolar disorder can be a slow and difficult journey. You will have to gather and complete numerous documents and wait for a long time before hearing back on your application.
If you are considering SSD benefits, working with an attorney may help improve your chances of success. They can help strengthen your case, make the process more manageable and support you until your application is complete.