Social Services Administration Plays Dirty

The rate of applicants who are ultimately approved, however, has remained slim — averaging just 36 percent for claims filed from 2004 to 2013, according to the report. About a quarter are awarded benefits on their initial claim, while another 2 percent are approved on appeal and 11 percent at hearings. "The reality is, more often than not, you'll be denied," said Stephen Dunn, a staff attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group, which provides free legal services to low-income New Yonkers. In fact, waits for a hearing can stretch the process out for a year or longer, he said. (Per Social Security Administration data, 28 percent of final medical denials in 2013 were because the impairment was considered "not severe," and another 31 percent because the applicant was still considered able to do other kinds of work.) "If you do get denied, you have to act on requesting an appeal quickly, within two months." -Stephen Dunn, staff

Mental illness is no joke @ssantos31991 it takes over u, i would know. but suicide is never the answer. thats very sad, he was a attractive man! fly high with them angelss, one more guardian angel to loveee :) rip   RIP Dave Mirra Dave Mirra Husband, Father, Athlete,14 x X-Games Champion, 24 X-games medals, Ironman, RallyCar Bronze, USA Boxing Victory, 2x David Letterman

What if your bipolar becomes so severe that you can no longer work? Here's what you need to know about getting disability benefits. When you hear the word disability, chances are you think it applies to a physical injury rather than a mental illness. But does bipolar disorder qualify as a disability? Can you get the financial help you need if you are unable to work because of your bipolar symptoms? According to Stuart Gitlow, MD, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, the answer to both questions is yes. Read More