Does anyone know much about mental health disability? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

meli2005 · 10-04-2006, 04:56 PM

I have a family member who has a big hx with bipolar/depression/alcoholism. He is sober now, but does not have much drive to work it seems. He says he feels good. Anyway, he's 58, big time smoker, etc. My H was talking about him with his therapist, she said he might qualify for mental health disability. Is anyone on this forum on a mental health disability and how did you go about getting on it? I'm an RN and from what I have heard it is really difficult to get on disability period. If you have any info, it would be GREAT!! Thanks!!!

liveweyerd · 10-04-2006, 08:16 PM

My bipolar friend was on SSI....it isn't enough to live on, I can tell you that!
But not how he went about getting it.
And, yes, he did need it.

daydream · 10-05-2006, 11:33 PM

I have 3 friends on it. One got approved right away because he had strong support from his doctor. the other two said it took them well over a year because the wait for a court hearing (appeal) was forever. One of them had studied up on it and said that's usually the case. Few get approved right away. Courts are tied up and most people lose everything they have before they even get an answer, and even then the answer is usually no.

SummerBreeze · 10-06-2006, 12:07 AM

Hi, I'm on SSD for bipolar disorder. Got turned down when I first applied. An initial interview was done over the phone then I was sent tons of paperwork to fill out. After the initial denial (which usually happens with almost everyone) I appealed, SSA told me the reconsideration would take at least 6 months, that's when I wrote my Congressman. He had them pull my file and asked them to make a decision. I was then approved. The process for me was only 7 months compared to some people I know who have gone all the way to court to try to get approved with some taking a year or longer. Afterwards I had to file bankruptcy but have since rebuilt some credit. I was very blessed in that I live with my boyfriend and he helped me out a lot financially or I don't know what I would have done! I would advise getting a lawyer after the denial. You usually have to have been denied before they will take the case. They get a portion of the backpay (1/3 if I remember correctly) and to definitely write his Congressman after denial if he decides to apply. I wish him the best!

meli2005 · 10-06-2006, 09:17 AM

Thanks for the responses. Knowing this person, I don't know if he will be willing to go thru all that to get disability. Plus, he wants to stay home and care for a mother with dementia. I personally don't think you should be caring for others if you are on disability, esp someone with dementia, it can be trying to care for, etc. Plus, he has no money either, no money for lawyers, etc.

BlueMoon · 10-11-2006, 10:08 AM

There are "Advocate" agencies out there that help one wade thru all of the paper work involved ... i highly recommend seeking out one of them ... most operate on a contingency basis meaning you only pay them if and when YOU get paid.

elizabeth1979 · 10-17-2006, 01:35 PM

Hi there, is he employed with benefits?

STD (Short term disability) is a benefit provided on some group health care policies, when issued through his employer....usually larger employers will have this customary but smaller businesses may not be able to stomach the recent huge rate hikes, so its not usually covered for employees of small biz's.

Just a thought...

Brickpath · 10-23-2006, 04:47 AM

This seems to be the forum for SSD. I have an appt today with SS to determine whether my son's SSD (started before 18) will continue after 18. Should I be calling an attorney to go with me? Sounds like many of you have had a pretty tough time getting the disability. Any ideas for me?

shutterbug · 10-24-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meli2005

Thanks for the responses. Knowing this person, I don't know if he will be willing to go thru all that to get disability. Plus, he wants to stay home and care for a mother with dementia. I personally don't think you should be caring for others if you are on disability, esp someone with dementia, it can be trying to care for, etc. Plus, he has no money either, no money for lawyers, etc.

Blue Moon is right...there are several great advocate groups around the country who will do all the paperwork and everything (only thing is that they get a small percentage of the initial award, but most people say it is MORE than worth that fee)

I don't know the name, but you might try contacting NAMI or DBSA and ask them...then go from there.

As for your comment about him caring for her...well it depends on the whole situation of course, but sometimes two family members are able to live and help each other in the ways they need without having to go outside the home for help....which can often be a beneficial thing.

If he DID decide to go the lawyer route instead of an advocate group...many will usually do the same way. No costs unless they get the disability approved and then they take a cut out of the initial award (same as the advocacy group, but probably much more of a fee).

I wouldn't recommend trying to get on SSI without a lawyer or an advocate...too much stress for an unstable or easily stressed person to deal with (speaking from my own experiences here).

And once on SSI...he can actually still work part-time believe it or not, but there is a percentage amount and he can NOT make more than that percentage each month or else he'll have to pay the government back some of the money when they catch on...but usually you can make nearly as much as you recieve each month. So if he got 300 a month from SSI...then he could probably bring home about $250 from a job. But that's just a guess on the amount...he would need to find out the exact amount himself.

Cheers,
Jenna

shutterbug · 10-25-2006, 11:18 PM

10-04-2006, 04:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
meli2005 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 502	Does anyone know much about mental health disability? I have a family member who has a big hx with bipolar/depression/alcoholism. He is sober now, but does not have much drive to work it seems. He says he feels good. Anyway, he's 58, big time smoker, etc. My H was talking about him with his therapist, she said he might qualify for mental health disability. Is anyone on this forum on a mental health disability and how did you go about getting on it? I'm an RN and from what I have heard it is really difficult to get on disability period. If you have any info, it would be GREAT!! Thanks!!!

10-04-2006, 08:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
liveweyerd Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 8,275 Blog Entries: 5	My bipolar friend was on SSI....it isn't enough to live on, I can tell you that! But not how he went about getting it. And, yes, he did need it. __________________ Each small candle lights a corner of the dark....Roger Waters

10-05-2006, 11:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
daydream Obsessed Pug Momma Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Probably at Wal-Mart Posts: 1,324	I have 3 friends on it. One got approved right away because he had strong support from his doctor. the other two said it took them well over a year because the wait for a court hearing (appeal) was forever. One of them had studied up on it and said that's usually the case. Few get approved right away. Courts are tied up and most people lose everything they have before they even get an answer, and even then the answer is usually no. __________________ ~~~ Love ME, Love my PUGS! ~~~

10-06-2006, 12:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
SummerBreeze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: VA Posts: 15	Hi, I'm on SSD for bipolar disorder. Got turned down when I first applied. An initial interview was done over the phone then I was sent tons of paperwork to fill out. After the initial denial (which usually happens with almost everyone) I appealed, SSA told me the reconsideration would take at least 6 months, that's when I wrote my Congressman. He had them pull my file and asked them to make a decision. I was then approved. The process for me was only 7 months compared to some people I know who have gone all the way to court to try to get approved with some taking a year or longer. Afterwards I had to file bankruptcy but have since rebuilt some credit. I was very blessed in that I live with my boyfriend and he helped me out a lot financially or I don't know what I would have done! I would advise getting a lawyer after the denial. You usually have to have been denied before they will take the case. They get a portion of the backpay (1/3 if I remember correctly) and to definitely write his Congressman after denial if he decides to apply. I wish him the best! __________________ Breeze

10-17-2006, 01:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
elizabeth1979 Acting not reacting Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: My happy place Posts: 1,790	Hi there, is he employed with benefits? STD (Short term disability) is a benefit provided on some group health care policies, when issued through his employer....usually larger employers will have this customary but smaller businesses may not be able to stomach the recent huge rate hikes, so its not usually covered for employees of small biz's. Just a thought... __________________ The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions by the application of reason. -- Marya Mannes (1904-1990) American Journalist

10-06-2006, 09:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
meli2005 Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 502	Thanks for the responses. Knowing this person, I don't know if he will be willing to go thru all that to get disability. Plus, he wants to stay home and care for a mother with dementia. I personally don't think you should be caring for others if you are on disability, esp someone with dementia, it can be trying to care for, etc. Plus, he has no money either, no money for lawyers, etc.

10-11-2006, 10:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
BlueMoon Honest, Open, Willing Join Date: May 2004 Location: trying to fill Granma's shoes Posts: 451 Blog Entries: 10	There are "Advocate" agencies out there that help one wade thru all of the paper work involved ... i highly recommend seeking out one of them ... most operate on a contingency basis meaning you only pay them if and when YOU get paid.

10-23-2006, 04:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Brickpath Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 1	This seems to be the forum for SSD. I have an appt today with SS to determine whether my son's SSD (started before 18) will continue after 18. Should I be calling an attorney to go with me? Sounds like many of you have had a pretty tough time getting the disability. Any ideas for me?

10-25-2006, 11:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,957	found a few old threads if you'd like to check them: Question about social security or SSI http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=63328 Disability Laws and the Workplace http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=41766 Reasonable accomodations for a bipolar in the work place http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=69277 36 Ways to reduce stress http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=69176 LOTS of information for friends and family of the bipolar http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=69079 All about depression http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74165 the winter blues http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74164 are u highly sensitive? http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74163 Self love and self-esteem http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74154 Feeling like you belong http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74153 Boundaries? http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74152 Finding our Enchanted self - fairy tales can come true http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74151 Poetry as Therapy http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=74147 __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).

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