[tieco72]

This is my first post, hello to all and please excuse my urgency but I am desperate for some help. My husband was placed on disability in 2009 for Bipolar I, and severe social anxiety. He received a Notice of Continuing Disability Review (form SSA-454-BK) in the mail sometime last week, which I just found today. I am at a loss as to how I should answer these questions. I know truthful, but there in lies the complications. He was doing fair with the meds and therapy at first and then a combination of life events caused him to escalate into a hypomanic state in early 2012. At that time he refused to take his medication and began to miss Dr visits which he eventually quit going to altogether. He drained the bank account, on one of his five day escapades to God only knows where. There was absolutely no reasoning with him. And then in 2013 his father died and he became worse and disappeared for over a month. If I even mention "the hospital" or that he needs his meds he becomes irate and irrational. This has been going on for the longest time and I am wore out. I dont know how to get him any help and now SS wants a review and there is no current medication list and no Dr visits or therapy over the last 3 years. If he looses his disability then all hope is lost because if I get him into the Dr then there is no way to pay for the visit or the meds. I just dont feel that SS has a deep enough understanding of the intricacies of Bi-polar disorder to help me in anyway. He needs his disability more than anyone I know, I love him with all of my heart and I have no idea what to do. Please, Please help me help him. Thanks to all in advance and pls excuse my spelling and grammer.

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by tieco72

This is my first post, hello to all and please excuse my urgency but I am desperate for some help. My husband was placed on disability in 2009 for Bipolar I, and severe social anxiety. He received a Notice of Continuing Disability Review (form SSA-454-BK) in the mail sometime last week, which I just found today. I am at a loss as to how I should answer these questions. I know truthful, but there in lies the complications. He was doing fair with the meds and therapy at first and then a combination of life events caused him to escalate into a hypomanic state in early 2012. At that time he refused to take his medication and began to miss Dr visits which he eventually quit going to altogether. He drained the bank account, on one of his five day escapades to God only knows where. There was absolutely no reasoning with him. And then in 2013 his father died and he became worse and disappeared for over a month. If I even mention "the hospital" or that he needs his meds he becomes irate and irrational. This has been going on for the longest time and I am wore out. I dont know how to get him any help and now SS wants a review and there is no current medication list and no Dr visits or therapy over the last 3 years. If he looses his disability then all hope is lost because if I get him into the Dr then there is no way to pay for the visit or the meds. I just dont feel that SS has a deep enough understanding of the intricacies of Bi-polar disorder to help me in anyway. He needs his disability more than anyone I know, I love him with all of my heart and I have no idea what to do. Please, Please help me help him. Thanks to all in advance and pls excuse my spelling and grammer.

The long form CDR is similar to the initial application process. SS might decide to send him for a Mental Evaluation or they may not. It could take several months before SS makes a decision.

In a situation like this, SS takes the view that if a person stops treatment than their disability has improved. So, he needs to be prepared that in all likelihood his benefits will be terminated.

If that happens, he will receive two more months of monetary benefits as well as Medicare from the date of the decision. He then would have the opportunity to appeal and keep those benefits active--but, he could end up owing the monthly benefits back if his appeal is unsuccessful.

SS will only consider medical records from within the past year. So, he needs to begin being compliant with the treatment recommended by his doc/s and take his meds, asap. Even that might be too little too, too late, quite frankly.

BTW, you need to notify SS immediately that he needs a Representative payee if he is draining your bank account when he is manic. If not you, than another family member, or SS can give you a list of service providers that will handle the money going forward (they take a small percentage in return). This might also be a good wake up call to him that things are going to have to change.