| My experience with Social Security has been a rough | | | | thing I had to do was to fill out a request for a |
| one. In the beginning, my family and I did not want | | | | hearing, so a judge could decide my case. When I |
| to consider it because we thought it would be easy | | | | saw the judge, he could see how nervous I was, and |
| for me to get a job. However, it was not so easy. | | | | at the hearing the judge agreed that I should get my |
| The first time I went to their office I had to wait a | | | | Social Security Disability benefits. |
| long time for the clerk to give me an application. The | | | | I feel this whole system is ridiculous and unfair to |
| long lines were terrible and so overcrowded. | | | | those who suffer from a disability. To go through this |
| After I finished with the application, I sent it to Social | | | | struggle every time Social Security reviews your case |
| Security and within weeks received an answer. It | | | | can damage a person's mental health even more. |
| stated that although I have difficulty in stressful | | | | If I had a book that would have helped me at that |
| situations; based on my age and education I could | | | | time, I probably would have received it the second |
| have done a job with simple tasks. What Social | | | | time around, if not the first. I probably would not |
| Security does not comprehend is that there is a need | | | | have to get a lawyer either. However, the book was |
| for accommodations in order to get a job and keep | | | | not available at that time. |
| it depending on the severity of a person's mental | | | | Today, there is a book on how to help people with |
| illness. They do not realize how stressful job | | | | Bipolar Disorder or other mental illnesses to win Social |
| interviews are, why disclosure is so difficult, and how | | | | Security Disability Benefits. The book is called |
| hard it is to maintain a job with today's technology. | | | | "Bipolar's Guide to Winning Social Security Disability". |
| After the first rejection, I filed another application | | | | Although it is a specifically geared toward people with |
| form for reconsideration. This time Social Security | | | | Bipolar Disorder it can be used for other mental |
| realized that I have Bipolar Disorder, which has given | | | | illnesses too. It is an excellent book to get and I wish |
| me difficulty concentrating and relating to people, and | | | | they had such a book in my time, it would have |
| they still felt that I could work doing simple tasks. | | | | made things a whole lot easier. |
| How could they say this to me when they know I | | | | For those of you who have Bipolar Disorder or any |
| have a serious mental illness? How can a person | | | | other mental illness, I strongly recommend that you |
| work when there are issues and problems that the | | | | buy this book, especially if you are applying for |
| mentally ill are facing? For instance, stigma, | | | | Disability. Do not worry how much this book will cost, |
| discrimination, etc. | | | | it is for your benefit if you have not found a job yet |
| I thought my battle with Social Security was a lost | | | | and will help you get some income for yourself and |
| cause until I was advised to see a lawyer. The first | | | | be more productive and independent in your life. |