Should I apply for Disability?

[watermelon14]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

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I struggle with Major Depressive Disorder (4 suicide attempts and 1 psych ward hospitalization), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (with Panic Attacks), ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

I'm not sure exactly how they decide who gets disability benefits, but in my opinion, I believe I should qualify: each of my disorders make it incredibly difficult to get and maintain a steady job.

Can anyone give me advice on applying for Disability? Am I wasting my time? Is there any particular information I should/should not include? Do I need a lawyer?

Thanks!

 

[TheGeekess]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

_


I struggle with Major Depressive Disorder (4 suicide attempts and 1 psych ward hospitalization), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (with Panic Attacks), ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

I'm not sure exactly how they decide who gets disability benefits, but in my opinion, I believe I should qualify: each of my disorders make it incredibly difficult to get and maintain a steady job.

Can anyone give me advice on applying for Disability? Am I wasting my time? Is there any particular information I should/should not include? Do I need a lawyer?

Thanks!

What does your psychiatrist/psychologist think about this? Have you worked the requisite amount of time to have the credits for SSDI? Have you made any attempt to find and work a full-time job?

 

[BigBenny]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

_


I struggle with Major Depressive Disorder (4 suicide attempts and 1 psych ward hospitalization), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (with Panic Attacks), ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

I'm not sure exactly how they decide who gets disability benefits, but in my opinion, I believe I should qualify: each of my disorders make it incredibly difficult to get and maintain a steady job.

Can anyone give me advice on applying for Disability? Am I wasting my time? Is there any particular information I should/should not include? Do I need a lawyer?

Thanks!

If you have everything you say, documented and you have a qualified work history in which you've paid into the system, based on your glaring description of your issues, you shouldn't have too much of a problem getting SSDI.

It would be very beneficial to you if you got an Attorney to help you apply for such benefits.

 

[Janke]

There are really two questions.

First Question: Should you apply for disability? There is no reason not to. The worst thing that could happen is that you are denied. You may learn things about yourself along the way, you may be getting the help you need and improve. All sorts of things could happen in the future. You do have some diagnosed conditions. You have had some severe symptoms. The only way you will know if SSA would approve or deny you is to apply. There are people who say you need to have all your evidence ready and cooperative doctors etc. etc. And of course, those cases may be easier for SSA to approve. But none of that should stop you from applying. The worst that could happen is that you are denied. That is the worst that could happen.

Now, I do think you should enlist the help of a competent friend or family member at the bare minimum, or interview some lawyers and hire one of them (and please, do research on lawyers before you sign a contract).

You can start the application online now. Today, well, OK, tomorrow. You would get a reentry number so you can just start answering questions. If it gets too hard, save your work and start over. Get your friend to help enter the data. Over a week or even two or three, you should be able to answer the questions and submit the claim to Social Security. If you hire a lawyer, you still have to answer these questions. The lawyer doesn't know the answers, you will have to provide it yourself. But since the questions are all about your life, you are the best source.

Second Question: Will you be approved (and how long will it take)?

There is a long process. You tell SSA where your medical evidence is (doctor or hospital). Your evidence will be read. SSA may decide they need more evidence and ask you have an exam to establish your current functioning level. SSA will pay for the exam. A decision will be made. There are statistics that could be cited here, but bottom line is that some people are approved and some people are denied and file appeals. The process can take 3-6 months or several years.

You have to go through the process to get an answer to this question. So yes, you should apply.