Living with depression or bipolar
disorder can be extremely stressful. Often times many people who find
themselves dealing with mental health issues find it difficult to maintain
gainful employment. Social Security has programs available for those individuals
who meet the listing of impairments. Having an attorney who is familiar with
the list of impairments and the process of determining if a claim for
disability will meet the list of impairments is crucial.
Depressive disorder is evaluated by
five or more impairments such as, depressed mood; diminished interest in almost
all activities; appetite disturbance with change in weight; sleep disturbance;
observable psychomotor agitation or retardation; decreased energy; feelings of
guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating or thinking; thoughts of death
or suicide.
Bipolar disorder is determined by
three or more impairments such as, pressured speech; flight of ideas; inflated
self-esteem; decreased need for sleep; distractibility; involvement in activities
that have a high probability of painful consequences that are not recognized;
or increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation.
In addition to the initial listing of
impairments you must also meet one or marked limitation of two of the following
areas of mental functioning limitations. The ability to understand, remember,
or apply information that has been presented to you, interacting with others,
concentration, persistence, or maintaining pace during work, and adaptation or
management of oneself during work.
If you have been diagnosed with
depressive disorder or bipolar disorder and have medically documented history
for over a period of at least 24 months, you may also qualify for benefits. If
you have supporting evidence of both medical treatment, such as mental health
therapy or a highly structured setting that is ongoing; and marginal
adjustment, meaning you have minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your
environment or demands that are already not part of your daily life, these
would be considered more extreme circumstances requiring strategic
representation and production of evidence to help you obtain a favorable
decision.
The Law
Office of Jonathan W. Cole
is able and ready to assist you with your disability claims. If you are ready
to file for the first time, we are efficient in filing out claim forms and
submitting vital information to support your claim. If you have already been
denied, we are able to assist you with appealing your initial decision. Should
you need to request a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), we pride
ourselves in our organization and punctuality of preparing you for your hearing
and we are ready to appeal unfavorable decisions in the court system.
Should you believe you meet these
listings or qualify for Social Security Disability Income please contact our
office at your earliest convenience to schedule a free consultation with one of
our attorneys ay (708) 529-7794. We will be happy to take time to sit down with
you and help you determine if applying for benefits is for you.
