Is Bipolar Considered a Disability That Qualifies for Social Security Benefits?

In 2021, it was estimated that 37 million people were living with bipolar disorder globally.   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bipolar disorder is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. But is bipolar a disability in the eyes of Social Security?

In this article, we’ll discuss bipolar disorder, how the Social Security Administration evaluates it, and how you can build a strong case for the disability benefits you deserve. 

What is bipolar disorder? 

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood and major changes in energy and behavior. People with bipolar disorder experience emotional highs, known as mania or hypomania, and emotional lows, known as depression.

Mood episodes may happen often or only occasionally, and each episode can last for several days or longer. These mood swings can affect a person’s sleep, energy, activity level, judgment, behavior, and ability to think clearly.

There are several types of bipolar disorder, including:

• Bipolar I disorder
• Bipolar II disorder
• Cyclothymia
• Other types, including those caused by medications, substance use, or other medical conditions

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, treatment such as medication and therapy can help manage symptoms. However, treatment isn’t always enough to prevent symptoms from interfering with daily life, which leads many people to wonder whether bipolar disorder qualifies as a disability.

Is bipolar a disability? 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes bipolar disorder as a serious medical condition that can qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Additionally, bipolar disorder is typically covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, neither of these facts guarantees you will receive disability benefits for the condition.

Therefore, if you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, the SSA considers specific criteria when evaluating these SSDI claims, which can make approval challenging for many applicants. 

To be eligible for SSDI for bipolar disorder, your symptoms must make it impossible to continue working gainfully and interfere with your ability to support yourself.

Your condition must also meet other medical requirements listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. We explain these requirements in more detail below.

How to qualify for SSDI with bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is classified as a mental disorder in the SSA’s list of qualifying impairments, also called the Blue Book, and is listed under Section 12.04 for Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders. 

The SSA applies strict standards to all mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. 

To qualify for disability benefits, you must show your condition is severe, long-lasting, and prevents you from doing substantially gainful work. Additionally, you must meet the criteria in Section 12.04A (paragraph 2), plus the requirements in either Section 12.04B or Section 12.04C.

Under Section 12.04A, you must have thorough medical documentation of three or more of the following:

• Talking very fast and compulsively
• Experiencing thoughts that race quickly from one idea to the next (flight of ideas)
• Feeling unusually confident or overly important
• Needing significantly less sleep
• Becoming distracted easily
• Involving yourself in activities that could put you in danger or have a high risk of a painful consequence, without acknowledging or recognizing the risk
• Having psychomotor agitation or being frequently  driven to do goal-driven activities

To fully qualify for disability benefits, you must meet the following criteria in either Section 12.04B or 12.04C. 

To qualify with Section 12.04B, the SSA will consider four key abilities to determine how bipolar disorder affects you. You must have one “extreme” or two or more “marked” limitations, such as:

• Understanding, remembering, or using and applying information
• Interacting with others
• Staying focused and keeping up with tasks at a steady pace
• Adapting to changes or to managing yourself appropriately 

Please note that the SSA defines an extreme limitation as the inability to function independently, effectively, and consistently. A marked limitation means you can function, but your ability is significantly limited or inconsistent.

Under Section 12.04C, you must be able to prove that your condition is “serious and persistent.” This means that you must have at least two years’ worth of medical documentation outlining the existence and severity of your bipolar disorder, and there is evidence of both of the following:

• You’re getting ongoing, structured treatment to help reduce your symptoms. This can include things like therapy, psychiatric care, or treatment from specialists
• You’re mostly unable to adapt to changes in your environment or to new demands that aren’t already part of your daily life

Other types of support may also count if they help you function day-to-day. For example, the SSA may consider whether you rely on family members for help with daily activities, live in a group home or other supervised housing, or take part in a rehabilitation program that provides social and emotional support.

Your chances of approval may improve if you have additional qualifying conditions related to bipolar disorder, like anxiety, PTSD, or a personality disorder. 

Submitting a complete and detailed application with all the necessary records can help prevent delays, as the approval process can take several months or longer.

What evidence can help your claim?

To build a strong case to support your bipolar disorder disability application, you can start by reviewing the SSA’s specific criteria and directly linking your symptoms to the requirements listed in the Blue Book. Then you’ll want to gather extensive evidence showing your symptoms meet the SSA’s criteria.

Medical evidence can include:

• Medical history reports
• Clinical findings (such as the results of physical or mental status exams)
• Lab results or test results
• Emergency room visit summaries
• Diagnosis
• Treatment prescribed based on response and prognosis
• A statement from a medical professional on what work activities they believe you are capable of doing despite your condition
• Any treatment information
• Info about your daily activities and capabilities 

Submitting thorough medical evidence to support your diagnosis and keeping a personal log detailing how your symptoms impact your daily life and ability to work can also help support your claim. These details add valuable context and make your claim more compelling.

How long does it take to get a disability decision?

When considering how long a disability claim can take, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. 

The time it takes to get a disability decision depends on several factors, like whether the SSA needs more information to process your claim. On average, the wait for an initial SSDI decision is about 6.3 months, or roughly 193 days. 

According to the SSA’s 2024 Annual Report, about 18% of applications were approved at this stage, meaning nearly four out of five claims were denied.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re denied. You can appeal, but be aware that the appeals process can add another six months or more to your wait.

How do I appeal a decision if I was denied?

If your SSDI application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. According to the SSA, approximately 80% of SSDI claims are rejected at the initial level, often due to insufficient medical evidence, limited work history, or other technical issues. Because the appeals process can take time, it’s important to act quickly – you only have 60 days to file your appeal. 

While appealing a denial is always worthwhile, it doesn’t guarantee approval, as many applicants are denied even after multiple appeals. However, working with an experienced disability lawyer can help strengthen your case and improve your chances of success.

How Woods & Woods can help

Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.

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