Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
My doctor has already said he is writing me a letter recommending that I do so and I didn't want to do it but I think I have to now. Last week I only showed up to work twice and this week out of 5 work days, I showed up 0. That's right ZERO. Outside looking in, I'm sure it looks ridiculous! I've not told anyone outside my immediate family because I don't want them to know. I told my father and even though I expected ridicule (under the guise of "helpful" advice), he was actually compassionate and supportive (I'll mark that down in my calendar).
My doctor suggested that I also see a psych doc to get a letter from them as well but I don't have health insurance and I seriously doubt I could even afford one visit. My father said I should consider starting to go to the health department for the pysch doc and my reg doc to save money. I like my current doc but I'm pretty much broke and don't see how I could afford to keep seeing him after my next visit.
I am going to get more information from my doctor next time I see him but wanted to ask you guys since some one you have either been through it already or know someone who has.
Do I need to file myself or use someone like Allsup?
Allsup and others say that they don't charge unless you win and get on disability but I can't find anywhere what they will charge if you DO get on it.
Do I have to get copies of my medical records to send to them or just sign something giving them permission to get them from my doc?
I had other questions but I'm so scatterbrained right now, I don't remember them
My doctor suggested that I also see a psych doc to get a letter from them as well but I don't have health insurance and I seriously doubt I could even afford one visit. My father said I should consider starting to go to the health department for the pysch doc and my reg doc to save money. I like my current doc but I'm pretty much broke and don't see how I could afford to keep seeing him after my next visit.
I am going to get more information from my doctor next time I see him but wanted to ask you guys since some one you have either been through it already or know someone who has.
Do I need to file myself or use someone like Allsup?
Allsup and others say that they don't charge unless you win and get on disability but I can't find anywhere what they will charge if you DO get on it.
Do I have to get copies of my medical records to send to them or just sign something giving them permission to get them from my doc?
I had other questions but I'm so scatterbrained right now, I don't remember them
I loved ALLSUP!!!!! They took over everything!!!! All I had to do was go through a couple of phone interviews with them.
Once I signed up with them, they told me if SS contacted me at all, in any way, refer them to ALLSUP.
They have a 98% success rate and they won't take your case unless they think it has a good chance of being approved.
They take 25% of your backpay when you get it, with a cap of $6,000. (That was the cap in 2009. I don't know if it's the same now. This is information I got off their site -- which provides a lot of good information on how applying for Disability works!!
Have you been to their website? ALLSUP.com
The page that tells you the fee they charge is at
http://www.allsup.com/allsup-representation/fees.aspx
Good luck!!! I hope it all goes smoothly for you. I'm sorry you need it, but am glad it's there for you!!!
(((((Hugs)))))
Documentation, and hospitalizations I feel, is what got me on disability so quickly. So my advice......see a pdoc and tell them everything, be up front and very honest in what you can and cannot do, don't minimize anything.....good luck!
I think I'm going to try to file myself first and if I get denied I will appeal with a lawyer or allsup. My father, usually a rather uncompassionate man, agreed to help me figure it all out, get applied, and figure out what to do with the rest of my bills in the mean time. I don't know if I just seem some broken that he can't help but feel sorry for me or if it is the hand of God because HE knows I can't do this alone.
I think I'm probably going to get my telephone and cellphone disconnected because I can no longer afford them. Trying to figure out what else to sacrifice. I thought about selling my car and dropping my car insurance but that will only save me 30$/month and my car probably won't get me much so I think I'll probably keep it. Since I'm not working, I might need some way to get out lest I go stir crazy and tailspin further into despair.
Last night I only slept in 2 hour increments and around noon today I couldn't go back to sleep so I just laid there staring into the darkness for the rest of the day.
I am keeping a 'how I feel today' journal. It started out as a pain journal for my Fibro but I write much more about by BP problems than my pain.
very soon. brand new with SSDI and learning as i read.
been unable to work for about two years this month i think.