Bi-Polar Disorder Disability Benefits

Bi-polar disorder is one type of mental disorder that can be disabling for many people. There are various levels of disability associated with this particular condition. To determine if an individual with bi-polar disorder can qualify for disability benefits, it is critical that the individual properly present the case to the Social Security disability board for consideration. Although not required, the aid of an attorney can make this process more successful.

Qualifications For Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration offers a detailed Listing of Impairments which it uses to determine if someone qualifies for disability benefits. In terms of bi-polar disorder, section 12.04 addresses this particular disorder and similar mental conditions. Within this document, the Social Security Administration defines qualifications as "characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by full or partial manic or depressive syndrome."

In order to qualify for disability benefits, individuals must meet specific qualifications. Those may include the following:

• The individual must display pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities, sleep disturbance, decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, delusions, paranoia, or psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Hyperactivity, decreased need for sleep, flight of ideas, pressure of speech, easy distractibility, inflated self esteem and involvement in activities leading to painful outcomes.
• The individual has a history of episodic periods that include a full range of symptoms from depressive to manic.

If the patient has these conditions, he or she must also have restrictions on activities surrounding daily life, difficulties with maintaining social function, inability to concentrate or keep pace or repeated occurrences of decomposition.

If the individual does not qualify under those aspects, according to the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration, he or she may also qualify if the patient has repeated episodes of decomposition. Other qualification methods include a history of at least a year in which the individual is unable to function properly in a supportive living arrangement.

Like many other mental health conditions, qualifying for disability for bi-polar conditions can be difficult. There are numerous stipulations that must be met, including doctor approval and documented history.

Hiring An Attorney

In order to ensure that the application for disability through the Social Security Administration is successful, consider hiring an attorney. An attorney can ensure the application is completed properly and presented according to the rules of the board. In addition, an attorney can help individuals to provide the most complete presentation of the facts. If problems arise in obtaining the disability, the attorney can offer additional help.