Bipolar Type II Support Group

I have been fighting for SSDI for four years. I have filled out a thousand sheets of papers, a million forms and a hundred phone calls. Two years ago I retained an lawyer and finally had my hearing 6 weeks ago.

He told me it would be three months or more before I heard anything from the hearing. 4 1/2 weeks later the judge issues SSDI to me. He has stipulated that since I had just started a job that I needed to be reviewed in 6 months to see if I could retain it. If I can..... no SSDI. IF I can't SSDI will continue.

So I have several questions. First I asked my lawyer a lot about my job retention options and he "went light" on his feet about the whole issue like any thing he said could and would be used against him. He did suggest that if I up an quit at review time I would look poorly on my report.

Third I have worked my whole life around keeping a job and getting in the "I need to get fired" mind set is just a little weird......

I have started a journal the last two weeks on my job. My boss is a total ass in every possible way. The problem is everyone knows it even up to the VP .... she has even taken to talking to me about it .. we are slipping into becoming friends.

I have been there 8 weeks up to the point of the case the company made it very clear you can be let go at any time for 90 days. Time is running out! They still jab me with it but a little less since the VP have started to like me.

So I look to anyone for assistance and advice.

First what is your real life experience about navigating into SSDI and "passing" your first review?

Second short of becoming and screaming loony in the lobby how to I create a manner of termination the represents what SSDI would expect to have discovered. Would they call the employer about me being fired with a ton of questions that seems like an invasion of my privacy?

Lastly if all you want to do is attack me for being honest and open about "how to play the system" m and secure my future for myself and my family .... phone a friend and get angry. I have discussed this with several friends and all they can do is get angry with me or even considering progressing to the next stage that I have pursued for so long.

Odd they they don't struggle with all the medications ups and downs. They don't fight the mood swings that drag you like a truck. They are not there for the 3 hour calls in the night for the prevention line. But like striking a match when it comes to me being on SSDI it will be the worse thing I ever did....... Yeah it has made me step back and think QUITE a bit about them and where have they been or what they saw me go through the last ten years.

I can say that 3 have never wavered and still stand behind me no matter what .... that might be more then you can ask for in life!

I would really appreciate you concise comments and thoughts.

I'm sorry, but I don't know much about SSDI, but I want you to know I'm here to support you. I would also post this in the regular bipolar group also. I believe there are more people on SSDI there also. I hope things work out. It's a very supportive site here and I think you will really like it. Things for us are hard and people just don't understand because they can't. They don't experience it. I'm sorry you have people that get angry at you. We are here for you though. Welcome to the group!

If you have a child or children your SSDI will be more. I know what you mean about people getting angry at you. My dauger asked why I even qualify. It's hard for people to understand. The first thing people think is your trying to get a free ride. I have worked 36 years and certainly have not taken a free ride!!!

Thanks kind words and understanding means a lot right now! jayna

Post edited by: rosestar, at: 05/04/2012 01:53 PM

I don't think it will be an SSDI issue but more of "are you capable of retaining employment" issue. I'm thinking you should simply tell your employer. Tell them you have been diagnosed bi-polar and that you have tendencies of explosive anger, days of depression, etc, etc, etc. and ask them for "reasonable accommodations". Now, the accommodations will be the tricky part, they will have to be reasonable to request but something your employer would not do and prefer to let you go, are you catching my drift here? If you're like me you hold back every day, hide the disorder and it's a struggle, I know it...give yourself a break. Clearly the judge believes you are disabled, you are also very diligent to keep seeking employment and earning your way, it's not an integrity issue either. And who says you can't go back to work later and get off disability if you were successful in managing your disorder? Anyways, let out a little anger, call in for a week with debilitating depression...trust me, this will effect your work performance and that's what you need: documented evidence that the DIRECT effects of your disorder keep you from performing the routine of your job. This is just my opinion, I am not qualified to give legal advice in any way whatsoever. Please keep us updated and consider writing a book for the rest of us.