Is Bipolar Disorder a Disability? Bipolar Disability Benefits Guide

Important: we updated this article in January 2025 after reviewing Social Security Administration policy and recent claim data. Mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves. But even with new medications, therapies and treatments, conditions like bipolar disorder can be debilitating. For some individuals, it may be difficult to work while managing their symptoms. But is it possible for someone to get disability benefits for bipolar disorder? Yes, but you must definitively prove your condition in an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Keep reading to find out what it takes to file a successful application for bipolar disability benefits.

Getting Disability Benefits for Bipolar Disorder: Key Takeaways

• Qualification. Bipolar disorder qualifies for disability benefits under the SSA’s Blue Book listing 12.04.
• Symptoms. Key criteria to prove the condition may include inflated self-esteem, mania, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, extreme depression, suicidal thoughts.
• Documentation. Medical records, neuropsychological testing, and a personal narrative are necessary to prove an individual’s bipolar disorder is debilitating.
• Benefits. Qualified applicants may receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits depending on their work history and income.
• Application. There is a detailed application process that applicants must follow when applying for disability for bipolar disorder.
• Representation. Having a lawyer will increase your chances of a positive outcome and claim approval within 6 months.

What is Bipolar Disorder? Symptoms and Side Effects

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where chemical imbalances in the brain cause alternating cycles of mania and depression.

Both the highs and the lows of this disorder can cause serious disruptions to your life and cognitive functioning.

The manifestation of bipolar disorder will present differently in each person, meaning there is no set pattern. However, it is not uncommon for people with bipolar disorder to experience extreme emotional highs and lows. Those mood swings may also occur quickly — without warning or any apparent triggers.

This rapid cycling between ups and downs can make it very difficult to predict when you might experience an episode. But clear changes in mood — from highly-energized manic episodes to more depressive, sad moments — are extremely common.

Most Common Bipolar Disorder Types

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. But the condition may show up in a variety of ways. As such, experts classify bipolar disorders into three primary types.

Bipolar 1 Disorder

This is the most severe presentation of bipolar disorder. Individuals who fall into the bipolar 1 disorder category experience full-blown mania.

To receive a diagnosis in this category, you must experience a manic episode for at least seven days. Periods of major depression or hypomania (less severe mania lasting four days) may or may not happen before or afterward.

A defining feature of this type is feeling unusually high-spirited or irritable for days on end. People around you will recognize a noticeable behavioral change from your “usual self.”

Symptoms must also be severe enough to cause problems handling your usual work, family, social, or other responsibilities. They may include high energy, insomnia, racing thoughts, delusions, hallucinations, and extremely rapid speech.

People experiencing bipolar 1 disorder episodes commonly require hospitalization to ensure their safety.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II disorder — or “swinging bipolar” — tends to look more like extreme depression with occasional sprinkles of hypomania.

Unlike bipolar 1, you don’t usually experience periods of psychosis. And since your depression is more severe, when a hypomanic episode hits, you may actually feel “good.”

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder — or cyclothymia — is a milder form of bipolar disorder.

It involves numerous periods where you experience hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least two years. However, those symptoms never meet the criteria to classify them as fully hypomanic or depressive episodes. Instead, your mood swings happen often, but are less severe than with bipolar I or II.

Who’s Eligible to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Anyone seeking Social Security disability (SSD) benefits should file a claim with one of two federal programs. These are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSDI is a program for disabled workers who paid Social Security taxes out of their work paychecks. When you apply for SSDI, you must show recent and sufficient work history to qualify for this benefit. You must also prove your bipolar disorder keeps you from working for at least 12 months in a row.

SSI is another benefit program similar to SSDI, but without any work history requirement. Instead, you must demonstrate you have very little income and few or no assets. Because of the strict financial limits, SSI is mainly set up to help disabled and elderly individuals. Even if you meet the income requirements, you still must demonstrate your mental illness prevents you from working to qualify. 

Is Bipolar Disorder a Disability According to the Social Security Administration?

According to NIMH data, of the 2.8% of U.S. adults with bipolar disorder diagnoses in 2024, 89.2% included a serious impairment. Owing to its prevalence and severity, the SSA includes bipolar disorder in its “Blue Book” of qualifying conditions.

In fact, out of all mood disorders, bipolar disorder has one of the highest probabilities of a successful disability claim. Mental (primarily mood) disorders made up almost 12% of disability awards in 2023.

However, all disability applicants must demonstrate they meet the SSA’s very specific requirements.

SSA Disability Requirements for Bipolar Disorder

To satisfy the SSA’s Blue Book requirements for bipolar disorder, you must meet the following criteria:

1) Medical documentation of your bipolar diagnosis. This diagnosis must include evidence showing you have three of more of these characterizing symptoms:

• Pressured speech (i.e., talking very fast in an urgent way)
• Flight of ideas (i.e., your mind jumps quickly from topic to topic and you struggle to maintain focus)
• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• You’re easily distracted
• Involvement in activities that have a high probability of unrecognized painful consequences
• Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation (i.e., you are fidgety, restless, or struggle to concentrate or stay still)

            AND

2) Mental functioning limitations. You must show extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two of the following:

• Understanding, remembering or applying information
• Interacting with others
• Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
• Adapting or managing yourself

             OR

3) Your mental illness is “serious and persistent.” This means you have a medically documented history of your disorder over a period of at least 2 years. In addition, you must provide evidence that there is both:

• Ongoing medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support, or a highly structured setting. This must diminish the symptoms and signs of the mental disorder.
• Marginal adjustment. This means you have very little ability to adapt to environmental changes or demands that aren’t already part of your daily life.

Pro Tip: Applicants with more depressive symptoms (a la Bipolar II) may better qualify for SSD under the depression classification.

Does Your Mental RFC Mean There’s No Work You Can Do?

If you cannot meet the above criteria, there is one other option — qualifying through mental residual functional capacity.

The SSA is willing to look at ​​what you can and can’t do in a work setting. For bipolar disorder this means determining whether you can perform current or former job tasks. If not, the SSA then looks to see whether you can do any similar jobs that pay a comparable wage.

The SSA may award disability if they determine you cannot work because of your condition’s unpredictability.

 Which Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Might Limit Your Ability to Work?

Bipolar disorder can seriously damage your relationships and employability.

That’s because your symptoms may affect your ability to communicate or even show up to work. The cyclical nature of bipolar disorder can lead to inconsistent work quality at your job.

Some symptoms that would obviously limit your ability to maintain a job include:

• Easily becoming distracted at work
• Irritability
• Inability to focus on or finish tasks as required
• Racing thoughts and excessive talkativeness
• Unwillingness to accept criticism
• Inappropriate social reactions
• Insomnia (leading to missed shifts or fatigue at work)
• Loss of practical personal skills
• Reckless behavior
• Hyperactivity

Remember that not every person with bipolar disorder will exhibit all of these symptoms; it affects everyone differently. However, you can see how any of the above symptoms (let alone several) could disrupt anyone’s ability to work.

Major Depressive Disorder and Other Related Disorders That May Help You Receive Disability Benefits

Bipolar disorder is often linked with other mental illnesses, especially depression. However, the NIMH also links bipolar disorder with a higher incidence rate for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Psychosis
• Eating disorders
• Drug and alcohol addiction

Some of this propensity for mental health conditions may come from your family history. In fact, 80%-90% of people diagnosed with it have a relative with bipolar disorder or depression.

Showing a family history of bipolar disorder and other mental conditions may help support your disability application. Additionally, meeting the SSA’s Blue Book criteria for multiple disorders may make you more likely to receive benefit approval.

Evidence You’ll Need for Your Bipolar Disability Claim

Anyone applying for SSD benefits for bipolar disorder will also need to submit evidence.

The SSA requires documentation showing you meet their criteria for bipolar disorder according to the Blue Book listing. Medical evidence is a crucial part of this, but personal records and witness statements can also help.

Here is some information you’d be wise to review before applying for bipolar disability benefits.

Medical Records

A bona fide bipolar disorder diagnosis from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist is going to be very important for a claim. It’s hard for the SSA to argue with a medical professional who documents your disorder and its progression. Sometimes this is the only record of an individual’s bipolar episodes that exists.

It’s important that your doctor’s records mention:

• Frequency and severity of your symptoms
• Direct observations during your office visits
• Mental status findings
• How this affects your ability to work

You may also ask your doctor for a general statement outlining your symptoms and overall ability to function every day. 

Medical Evidence

If you have any results from neuropsychological evaluations, this may strengthen your case if the findings align with bipolar disorder. This will also support any records your doctor submits.

Keep records showing any medications you try to treat your symptoms, both past and present. Social Security will look to see if you’re taking any meds and how effective they are in managing your symptoms. If you’re not on prescription drugs to control symptoms, the SSA is unlikely to find your condition severe enough to count as a disability.

Additionally, you must take your meds as directed by your treating physician. Failure to follow a treatment protocol can lead to disability claim rejection.

Personal Journal

Keeping a detailed journal about how you feel every day is another form of proof. Include any activities or behaviors you felt unable to do, and specifically because of your condition. Also be sure to track your ongoing treatments, recording any psychotherapy appointments, hospitalizations, or other interventions.

Testimonials of Behavioral Changes from Friends and Family

Ask friends or family members who you frequently see to document the changes they notice in your behavior over time. You can submit these letters as evidence, and the SSA will consider such testimonials in their decisions. 

Evidence that Work Triggers Your Symptoms

Documentation that links your symptoms to work activities is also key. That’s because proving you cannot work specifically because of your condition is crucial for disability approval. Proof that working triggers your bipolar symptoms might include statements from past employers, colleagues, or your therapist.

Include documentation showing how work conditions make your symptoms worse or hamper your ability to do your job, if possible. Showing a direct connection between your work and worsening symptoms makes your claim more likely to succeed.

Proof of Other Conditions

Remember that thorough and recent medical records showing you have multiple mental health conditions will increase your approval chances. So, gather documentation and records that support any concurrent conditions such as depression, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.

How to Apply for Bipolar Disability Benefits

To apply for disability benefits for bipolar disorder, you have a few different options.

You may schedule an appointment in person with Social Security by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Or you may start the application online through the SSA’s website when filing for SSDI, but not for SSI.

However, before you apply, you may wish to speak with an attorney for free to make sure you qualify. Also keep in mind the requirements for each type of disability benefits.

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) With Bipolar Disorder

To receive approval for SSDI, you must:

• Show work for at least 5 of the last 10 years while paying into Social Security through payroll tax deductions.
• Not currently receive any other Social Security benefits, such as retirement.
• Show an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (i.e., work enough to support yourself financially) for 12+ months.
• Demonstrate a bipolar diagnosis from a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
• Have individual monthly income that is less than $1,620 (or $2,700 if blind) in 2025
• Be between the ages of 18 and 66 when filing your claim.

Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) With Bipolar Disorder

Though SSI benefits do not require applicants to show a certain work history, the financial eligibility rules are strict.

Anyone applying for SSI benefits for bipolar disorder must prove their condition and also:

• Be blind, disabled, or at least 65 years old.
• Show their entire monthly household income is less than $2,019 (the SSA counts earnings from everyone living at home).
• Own fewer than $2,000 in total assets, including bank account balances, jewelry, etc. Couples who apply must own no more than $3,000 in combined financial resources.

Working With a Disability Lawyer Triples Your Approval Odds

Getting disability benefits for bipolar disorder isn’t easy, but it is one of the mental health conditions the SSA recognizes.

Because of the high prevalence of severe symptoms, bipolar has a definitive SSA Blue Book listing. Regardless, you must still prove your bipolar disorder symptoms negatively affect your work ability in order to qualify.

Having an experienced disability lawyer triples your odds of success the first time you apply for benefits.

Even better, all Social Security attorneys work on contingency. That means you’ll pay nothing unless you win benefits.

And if your claim succeeds, then it’s only a small fee deducted from your back benefit payments.

Conversely, disability applicants who file on their own without assistance typically wait two to three years for their first payment. And only one in three people who apply ever receive SSA disability benefits at all.

Don’t risk being a statistic. We can match you with a disability lawyer in your area today for a free consultation. We want to help you get the benefits you need.

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