Advice from the Forum Community members about what to do if your adult child needs your assistance in order to obtain Social Security Disability benefits for manic depression.
Please be aware that this material contains the personal experiences and opinions of consumers and in no way should be construed as professional advice. To read more, please follow one of the links that precede each quote.
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from Holly, answering LoraineS
Loraine said: How does a loving and caring family get the patient calm and cooperative long enough to complete the processes for financial and medical aide? ... [my daughter's] drastic mood swings hour to hour have prevented her from working with her Doctors or her family. ... We cannot get her stable enough to follow through to complete the processes needed to get her help.
You can check this out with you local SS office, but there is a way for a representative of the patient to go through the process for them if they are not able. I do not know if this means a custodial agreement or not but it is a question for SS.
Did you know SS has a website with all kinds of info? It is http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Use one of the search engines like Ask.com and ask your questions. The engine will go out and find applicable sources.
Best source of accurate info is SS or a lawyer. The lawyer could help about any legal requirements so that you could handle the process for her.
from Sheez1
My son goes to the local mental health center in this city. They connected him with an advocate that does nothing but help fill out forms to apply for SSI. She used to work for the social security office so she knows what they look for. My son was accepted and received a response after a couple of months and now receives social security benefits monthly based on his past earnings. He also received SSDI but they stopped the payments because he made to much on his social security. Get an advocate from you local mental health department to fill out your forms for you. Forget about paying a attorney unless you have extra time and money to put on one. I don't know why there isn't more info on this for people because I hear about the years it takes and the horror stories about being turned down on multiple occasions. My son is manic depressive and is 22 years old. He receives $1,015.00 a month based on his past earnings. I would encourage all people to please call your local office for mental health and get hooked up with an advocate that knows how to cut through the red tape.........Good Luck.
More of this Feature
Part 1: Can I Get Disability for Bipolar?
Part 2: Applying for Disability
Part 3: Appeals and Lawyers
Part 4: Four Questions Answered
Part 5: Assisting a Grown Child
Part 6: Words of Encouragement
BP and Disability - Main Menu
