Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Are thinking about applying for Social Security Disability benefits? We know you may want to know how much disability you can receive for bipolar disorder, but the disability amount is independent of your specific condition.
The monthly amount of benefits granted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not determined by an individual’s condition. Therefore, if you suffer from a mental disorder like bipolar disorder, this will not affect how much you receive in disability pay.
The determinants in disability pay are related to whether you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Complete this free evaluation to find out if you are eligible for disability benefits.
What Determines Your Disability Pay for Bipolar Disorder?
The SSA will first review whether your medical condition qualifies for disability benefits. After completing this process, the amount of disability benefits you will receive is based on your financial need for SSI or work history for SSDI.
In other words, your disability pay is not determined by your disability or its severity. Instead, pay is determined by:
- Income and assets if receiving benefits for SSI
- Social Security work credits if receiving benefits for SSDI
Additionally, changes in your condition will not affect the actual amount you receive. However, changes in your employment situation or your overall finances can affect the amount of your SSI and/or SSDI monthly benefit payments and eligibility.
SSI And Bipolar Disorder Disability Pay
Because SSI is needs-based, the SSA will pay close attention to your current assets when determining how much they pay you each month. The disability payments you receive from SSI depend on various factors:
- Your income (if any).
- Things you own.
- Resources that can be accounted for.
- Your spouse’s income if you are married.
Your eligibility for SSI will depend on your monthly income and assets. Your assets can only be worth $2,000 or less. If you are married, they would need to be worth $3,000 or less. Also, the amount of money you can make each month and still qualify for SSI will be different depending on where you live.
Assets that the SSA will count when determining if you qualify for SSI (and continue to qualify for SSI) include the following:
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Stocks and bonds
- Property besides the home you live in
Overall, how much disability pay you can receive for bipolar disorder from the SSI program will depend on your financial situation.
SSDI Qualifications
If applying for SSDI, the amount of your SSDI benefit will be based on work credits. These are credits that you earn through the wages you paid in Social Security taxes before becoming disabled.
The credits are based on your total wages and self-employment income. Typically, you can earn four credits in one year, and the number of credits is necessary to meet the requirements for age-based earnings tests.
To receive disability benefits from SSDI, you must satisfy these two earnings tests:
- A recent work test, which is based on your age at the time you became disabled.
- A duration of work test, which shows how long you worked under Social Security.
Other factors that affect your disability pay are additional payments from
worker’s compensation and income received from other public disability benefits. Find out more about how to calculate your SSDI benefit.
Not sure if you are eligible for SSDI? Contact a Disability Apply representative today to discuss.
Consult With Disability Apply Today
If you have questions about disability requirements, monthly benefits, or the application process for a bipolar disorder, contact Disability Apply today.
It is helpful to seek the counsel of a disability representative that understands how the process works and can help you with your claim. We have years of experience and many satisfied disability applications. Contact us today to get started or fill out this free evaluation form to find the support you need applying for disability benefits!