Bipolar disorder is a serious medical condition that many people in Los Angeles grapple with on a daily basis. The psychological effects of bipolar disorder may make it difficult – or even impossible – for you to work regularly here in California. If your condition prevents you from working, you could be eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
If you applied for SSDI benefits and received a denial, you could get help appealing your case by contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Get help on your side with a Los Angeles bipolar disorder attorney. Call (800) 794-0444 to learn more about the appeal process.
We Understand the Effects of Bipolar Disorder
Individuals who are affected by bipolar disorder get help handling their symptoms through medical interventions. However, even with proper mental health treatment, bipolar disorder may be a challenging condition to handle. You may need different levels of care depending upon the type of bipolar disorder that you experience. We understand clients who are dealing with:
Bipolar I Disorder
You may experience manic episodes lasting a minimum of seven days with Bipolar I Disorder. You may also experience depressive episodes that last a minimum of two weeks. You may also require hospital care if you are dealing with Bipolar I Disorder.
Bipolar II Disorder
Individuals with Bipolar II Disorder demonstrate less severe manic episodes. However, you may still deal with hypomanic and depressive episodes if you were diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder.
Cyclothymic Disorder / Cyclothymia
Medical professionals define cyclothymia as the presence of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years. These symptoms are not severe enough to be considered a hypomanic episode or a depressive episode, however.
You May Receive Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder
Many people living in Los Angeles are unsure if they are eligible to receive disability benefits for the effects of a mental illness. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does provide SSDI benefits to individuals with mental illnesses, if:
- The individual worked in an eligible job for a certain amount of time
- The individual’s illness is appropriately diagnosed by a medical professional
- The Individual’s illness prevents them from working their previous job OR
- The individual’s illness prevents them from working in a different job
However, in order to secure benefits, you must meet all the eligibility criteria established by the SSA. This may be difficult to accomplish, especially as you may be unfamiliar with these requirements. A Los Angeles bipolar disorder lawyer may be able to help you review eligibility criteria while helping you demonstrate that you qualify to receive benefits after an initial denial.
For a free legal consultation with a Bipolar Disorder Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
SSA Qualification Requirements for Bipolar Disorder
The SSA has provided clear instructions regarding eligibility for benefits for people who are dealing with bipolar disorder. In order to get disability benefits, a medical professional must provide documentation that you experience at least three of the following conditions:
- A lowered need for sleep
- Increased distractibility
- Difficulties related to speech
- Difficulties holding onto ideas
- An increased sense of self-esteem
- Psychomotor agitation or goal-directed activity
- Taking part in activities that could have painful consequences
Additionally, individuals must also demonstrate extreme limitation of one of the following abilities, or lesser limitation of two of these abilities, involving:
- Managing one’s own behavior
- Interacting with other people
- Concentrating or maintaining their pace
- Understanding or remembering things
However, if you have a serious and persistent case of bipolar disorder, you may be eligible to receive benefits even if you do not meet all the above qualifications. You must have received medical care for at least two years for the SSA to consider your condition to be serious and persistent.
Los Angeles Bipolar Disorder Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Compensation Offered Through the SSDI Program
You may apply to get SSDI benefits in Los Angeles if you have bipolar disorder that prevents you from working. Note that you may only be eligible to receive these benefits if you worked a job that required you to pay into the SSA agency.
In this situation, you could be awarded disability benefits to cover part of your “normal” paycheck. However, you may not receive 100% of your previous level of compensation with SSDI benefits. This compensation could continue until you recover enough to return to work. You should be aware that you must generally be unable to work for at least five months before applying for SSDI benefits.
After you have received SSDI benefits for a certain period of time, you could also qualify to receive Medicaid benefits in Los Angeles. However, your application for SSDI benefits must be approved before you receive any compensation.
Additionally, you may be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in some situations. These benefits are offered based on your level of need and they are not tied to your previous work history.
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Get Help Appealing Your Disability Claim in Los Angeles
Many SSDI claims are denied every year in Los Angeles. It may be more difficult to get a claim approved if you are dealing with a mental illness. However, an initial rejection may be appealed with the help of a Los Angeles bipolar disorder lawyer.
Your lawyer may review the reasons that your claim was denied here in California. In some cases, handling your appeal may only require your lawyer to provide additional evidence regarding your medical condition.
Here at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we are not afraid to take on tough appeals. Contact us right now so we can review the basis of your initial SSDI denial and begin working on an appeal to secure your disability benefits.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Contact the Office of a Los Angeles Bipolar Disorder Attorney Today
Take steps to appeal an SSDI benefits denial in Los Angeles by reaching out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We may be able to help if you are dealing with bipolar disorder and are seeking SSDI benefits. Find out more by calling the office of our bipolar disorder lawyers in Los Angeles at (800) 794-0444 or completing our online contact form.
Focus on beginning the appeal process today with a free consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form