Get Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Bipolar Disorder

Winning Your Case

To receive a favorable Social Security and SSI disability benefits decision for your bipolar disorder, you must demonstrate you satisfy Social Security’s –

1. Non-Medical Criteria, and
2. Disability Criteria.

Satisfying the disability criteria means –

1. You are aware how Social Security assesses bipolar disorder (evaluated on this page);
2. You meet the Social Security Bipolar Disorder Listing (also evaluated on this page) or you have disabling Functional Limitations (evalauted on the next page); and
3. You Submit Winning Evidence (evaluated on the next, next pages).

How Social Security Examines Your Bipolar Disorder Disability

Bipolar-disorder, also known as manic-bipolar disorder, is a psychiatric disorder that causes manic and depressive episodes. It is a common Social Security & SSI disability case. You will need to submit to Social Security several types of evidence to win.

First, you will need to provide to Social Security evidence of your diagnosis. There are two types of bipolar diagnoses, bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is the more severe diagnosis of the two and concerns manic or depressive episodes that are longer and more severe than Bipolar II. Social Security finds your bipolar diagnosis and treatment more credible (believable) if it is done by a psychiatrist or a psychologist instead of a primary physician or mental health counselor because Social Security finds psychiatrists and psychologists more qualified.

Second, you will also need to provide Social Security with your medical record information showing your ongoing treatment (individual or group talk therapy) with a mental health professional and typical symptoms which include the following:

1. Mania,
2. Depression,
3. Mood swings,
4. Unusual shifts in energy levels,
5. Erratic behavior,
6. Panic and anxiety attacks,
7. Isolation,
8. Anger, and
9. Crying spells.

Third, you will also need to provide evidence of your bipolar disorder medications. The most common of which include the following:

1. Aripiprazole (Abilify),
2. Clozapine (Zyprexa),
3. Carbamazepine (Tegretol),
4. Divalproex (Depakote),
5. Lamotrigine (Lamictal),
6. Lithium,
7. Olanzapine (Zyprexa),
8. Risperidone (Risperdal), and
9. Valproic acid.

Some claimants undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which has very limited success. Because this is a more severe form of bipolar therapy, you will certainly want to provide Social Security with this information.

Step 3 – Bipolar Disorder: The Social Security & SSI Listing

The listing for bipolar disorder is Adult Listing 12.04 and Child Listing 112.04. Adults and children must meet points one and two or points one and three.

1. Bipolar disorder with three or more of –
   1. Anxious speech patterns,
   2. Poor concentration,
   3. Grandiose feelings of self-worth,
   4. Reduced sleep requirements,
   5. Becoming easily off-track,
   6. Engagement in endeavors with a strong likelihood of harmful effects, or
   7. Increased goal pursuits or behavioral changes.
2. One extreme or two marked restrictions in dealing with –
   1. Information,
   2. People,
   3. Your activities, and
   4. Your own needs;
3. Your bipolar disorder is “serious and persistent” for two or more years, and both –
   1. You are getting medical care that minimizes your bipolar disorder, and
   2. You have limited capability to handle additional life challenges.

A Bipolar Success Story – The Power of Medical Statements

Mrs. Johnson’s was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In April 2016, she filed a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Mrs. Johnson’s SSDI claim was denied at the initial and reconsideration levels. She requested a hearing on December 2016. Counsel began representing her after this point. In June 2018, Social Security finally scheduled a hearing.

Counsel prepared for her case by obtaining her medical records from her treating mental health counselor and her primary doctor, two statements from the Washington state disability services, and a statement from her treating mental health counselor. She had not received treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist as her treatment was limited to her primary medical provider. Therefore, counsel arranged a consultative examination and written evaluation with a private psychologist. The psychologist reviewed about 40 pages of Mrs. Johnson’s medical records counsel emailed to him, conducted a two-hour interview with Mrs. Johnson, and wrote a four-page report including his findings. He diagnosed her with bipolar disorder II and that she suffered a marked degree of limitation in several areas of social and cognitive functioning. The cost for the medical records review, evaluation, and report was about $500 which Mrs. Johnson was able to pay. We also obtained a statement from her previous employer who stated that he fired Mrs. Johnson because she suffered panic attacks, depression, and erratic moods in the workplace, and she had difficulty interacting with other co-workers and customers.

Her hearing was held in Seattle, WA. At the hearing, Mrs. Johnson gave emotional testimony that she suffered frequent mania, depression, erratic moods, isolation, difficulty getting along with others, and anger outbursts. She also testified about the difficulties she had at her last job. Additionally, her mother testified that Mrs. Johnson was unable leave her home about five days per month.

The administrative law judge (ALJ) agreed with the findings of the mental health counselor and consultative psychologist and found Mrs. Johnson unable to engage in work activities 20% of the time (off-task behaviors). The vocational expert testified that based on Mrs. Johnson’s age, education, work experience, and the inability to engage in work 20% of the time, there would be no jobs in the national economy that she could perform. Three months later, Mrs. Johnson’s claim was approved with a written decision, and she was approved for both Social Security disability and SSI benefits.