Bipolar 2, Total Knee Replacement Revision: Apply for Disability?

Hi, @amberpep -- glad you are here with us now. As far as qualification for disability with your bipolar 2, I thought we should touch base with a few members who might have some thoughts on that, like @johnbishop @jimhd @stressedmesseddepressed @jmmb.

Just talking about this with a neighbor, coincidentally. I got SSD with MDD and GAD but they (mistakenly?) thought I had bi-polar as I talked then a lot (anxiety) but I've heard they usually give the SSD to bi-polar.

But I honestly don't know about Bipolar 2, that's what I may have, too, not sure.

I won because I have an AMAZING lawyer. And good medical records, doctors' reports. Find out who is the BEST So Sec Disability lawyer in your area and use him or her. Make sure, get great references. I asked an attorney I know who works FOR Social Security and he said _____________ wins a lot, so that's who I used and that's probably why I won. GET A GREAT LAWYER!!!! Good luck!

Hi @amberpep -- I've have no experience with what a person has to do to qualify for disability but I did find a few government links that may be helpful.

Benefits Planner: Disability | How You Qualify | Social Security ...
-- https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/qualify.html

What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability or SSI ...
-- https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/what-conditions-qualify.html

There may be some help from your state also.

John

@amberpep

Qualifying for disability for me meant being unable to do the daily things to function. My wife had to do everything. It also meant being unable to do my job.

I just filled out the application form Social Security myself.

Jim

Thanks everyone for the help. I can't afford a lawyer, as it is I live in low-income housing now. I just don't want to do anything, until it gets so bad that it screams for "doing." Right now I have 5 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, and a sink full of dirty dishes waiting to be put in the dishwasher. I'll do them, eventually, but only when I absolutely must. My 2 girls down here have been very sweet, I see them about once a week ... I can't expect more because they have lives too. I pretty much just stay home all the time, watch movies, and sleep. I am adopting a dog, which will make me move more and give me something to focus on. Unfortunately my X lives down here too, about 20 miles away and he is "the best" when it comes to grandparents. It stands to reason as he's been down here far longer than I have and has a very large 2 story home on about 3 acres of land. He knows the grandkids really well and they know him ..... I'll never get to that point with them, and although this sounds awful, I don't much care. Still have no church ..... and only have gone a few times since I left MD. There I was going every week. I'm Western Orthodox. My daughter wants me to go to church with them on Easter .... there is no way I'll do that since my X, and their father also go there. They don't understand what's going on with me, and it's so complex I don't even try to tell them anymore. Somehow, my moving down here was to have made everything all right. It didn't, and probably made everything worse.
Thanks for listening.
abby

@amberpep You can afford a Social Sevurity Disability lawyer. They take a percentage of the amount awarded to you. From what I understand you must be denied twice by the social security office and then see a lawyer. I am just starting the process myself. I am in the middle of my online application. If you don't want to do it online, you can go to the SS office and they will help you.

@amberpep

I agree with what Jen, @sandytoes14, said. If you apply and get denied you need to get an attorney who specializes in this and they will help you get it through. Disability is usually always denied the first time you apply (unless the impairments are very obvious and serious). The attorneys will take a percentage of what you get, but usually you do not have to pay them up front. Call a few attorneys in your area who have this specialty and see what they say. I think you will find that what Jen said is true about their fees, etc.

Teresa

When I applied for ss disability I was denied, then I appealed, then denied and then had a hearing. It is a very long process. I was very fortunate however. My long term disability company through my job offered this company that helped tremendously with all of it. They did the paperwork, told me what to do. I really didn't have to do much. They provided the lawyer for the hearing. I only paid if I won and that came out of the lump sum from ss. The name of the company is called The Advocator Group. I would definitely check it out. If you have any other questions just ask.

@amberpep @sandytoes14

I filled out the application myself and was approved the first time. It isn't a difficult form. Just lots of questions that are straightforward. Some attorneys specialize in disability and pretty much guarantee approval, and they want to do the first application, and may turn down those who've applied themselves and been turned down. Of course, not all attorneys have the same requirements. My sister told me the name of a disability attorney who's very good, but I don't remember the name. I'll ask my other sisters. (The sister who told me the name died a few years ago, but she used their services and gave them a good recommendation.)

Jim

The attorney group's name is Allsup. Allsup.com.

Jim