SSA will likely schedule a CE (consultative examination). This means that the SSA will send you their psychiatrist and/or PhD.-level clinical psychologist. Keep in mind that this examiner does not determine whether you are disabled, but rather s/he reports findings to the SSA. Try to secure a copy of your recent psychiatric records. Go with someone who knows you well, who can give these records to SSA's doctor and help explain your condition. You're supposed to bring the bottles of all the medications that you take, too. If you cannot attend the examination (because it is too far, you cannot afford transportation---or cannot attend because of your condition----e.g. agoraphobia, etc., you need to call AND write Social Security and let them know---they can reschedule it, sometimes even arrange for a taxi---or in extreme cases, have someone come to your house (agoraphobia so severe that you cannot leave your house). To avoid delays, however, MAKE EVERY EFFORT to attend the CE (and go with someone!). Your examination should be AT LEAST 40 minutes and include an objective psychological testing---such as the MMPI-2 or the WAIS (IQ test), as listed on Social Security's Listing of Impairments. You should be treated with courtesy, too. If the exam is too short, the doctor is rude, or your test is not one of the SSA-approved tests, you need to write AND call and explain the problem completely and that you would like to be sent for another consultative examination.

Regardless of who does the CE, one thing you should do is go in with not just a log of the meds you've taken, but with as many bottles as you have on hand of individual meds.  Or boxes, or whatever the original container is.  This would suggest compliance with medications as well as credibility.

Note from Jerod - the first CE I had was done by a total dick.  I filed a complaint with the SSA and the California medical board.  The guy was an asshole whose idea of testing for mental illness was browbeating people and giving them the MMPI.  I did get a second CE.

Now you get to wait at least six months.

Follow suggestions in the books "How to Get SSI & Social Security Disability: An Insider's Step by Step Guide." (in the meantime.) In the meantime, keep a list of all your appointments with name address, phone/fax number, dates and times of appointments, any changes in medications/what doses/reasons for stopping/starting. etc.  Note from Jerod - see also the page on how to organize your medical records.

This being said, it's very likely you will be initially denied. But do not give up! The next step is the Reconsideration Process, in which they have a different set of examiners decide your case---you can submit updated documentation and an explanation as to why your denial is incorrect. If denied, they will list all sources that were used in the determination. Did they exclude one or more of your medical sources? Were the dates listed corresponding to each listed medical source correct? You need to make sure that they get ALL medical sources that you have (especially recent documentation). Were the reasons why you are not disabled incorrect? Did they overestimate your abilities? Did they undermine the severity of your impairments? This needs to be addressed in a letter for the Reconsideration Process and can serve as the basis for an appeal later. In this appeal letter, feel free to include any medication changes, changes in your condition, appointments since you last filed (with name and address). Also, feel free to refer to yourself in the third person. Be sure to file a Reconsideration appeal as soon as possible! Again, keep copies of the Reconsideration form and any letters that you write with it----you should type this letter and sign and date it.  And again, send this forms "certified mail, return receipt requested."

If your claim is still denied, you can then appeal before an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge), who will decide if you are disabled. If it reaches this point, you will need an experienced attorney--one who has experience dealing with mental disabilities and the SSA. Your local SSA office has a list of attorneys available to help you. You can also visit National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives to locate an attorney in your area. You generally don't have to pay the attorney until s/he wins---and the cost is 25% of your retroactive pay, typically. The SSA has to approve your attorney and the fees that s/he charges. It will take about a year from your denial to get a hearing with an ALJ scheduled. If the ALJ denies your claim, there are further appeal processes you can take.

In some states, the Reconsideration process is eliminated completely, and instead, one can appeal directly to the ALJ. These so-called "prototype" states are Alabama, Alaska, California (the Los Angeles area), Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York (Brooklyn and Albany areas), and Pennsylvania. 

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Oh, and in the meantime, keep a journal of all the MEDICATIONS, you take---name, dosage, frequency, for what condition, side effects, dates started/stopped and why, med changes. Also, keep of journal of all your appointments with a name and address and your treatment regime. This way you give can a journal to your attorney when you need to.  Note from Jerod - see also the page on how to organize your medical records.

Also worth mentioning---when and if you get approved for SSI, you will likely have to appoint a "Representative Payee," a person or organization who receives your money and manages funds on your behalf. You can choose the person or organization. The person can be a friend, relative, or anyone you know who agrees to manage your funds, who has not been convicted of a felony and is capable of managing your money. The SSA maintains of list of organizations willing to serve as your Representative Payee. You have the right to change your Representative Payee at any time. The Representative Payee has to periodically report to the SSA how the funds are being used (how much goes toward food, rent, and miscellanous expenses).

You see, SSA's assumption is that if you are really too disabled to work full-time in some job in the nation's economy, then surely you are not capable of managing your funds in your best interest. I believe that you can receive your own funds if you have a letter from your doctor stating that you are capable of managing your benefits funds.

SSA prefers that a Direct Deposit arrangement is made (versus receiving checks in the mail or at your location). If you set up a checking account and it will need to be in your name with the "representative payee" being the one who manages it. In other words, you cannot withdraw funds or write your own checks.

After being approved, your case will be reviewed periodically through a process called the Continuing Disability Review (CDR). Generally, for mental illnesses that have been well-documented, this would be "no sooner than every 3 years." The SSA has been cracking down on conducting the CDR’s in a more timely manner. If you are still sick, keep seeing a doctor, and keep a journal with all your appointments, etc. The SSA also has "work incentives"--including programs which allow you to work part-time while still receiving some benefits. More information on SSA’s "work incentives" and CDR’s are in the aforementioned book, "Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting and Keeping Your Benefits."

Also, eligibility for SSI means eligibility for Medicaid in most states (called Medi-Cal in California). This means health coverage from approved providers, including prescription drug coverage. In some states, you will need to apply for this separately; check with your county’s Department of Social Services (look in the front of your telephone directory). Also, if approved for SSDI, within two years from the date that SSA determines that your disability began is the date that you become automatically eligible for Medicare, which includes ambulance services and hospitalization coverage.  Note from Jerod - isn't that crazy?  We're disabled for a medical reasons, but we have to wait two years for medical coverage?  In the meantime it still means juggling credit card debt in order to pay for medical expenses before Medicare kicks in, and only recently did it just begin to cover prescription drugs!

By the way, if you mention, or your medical records show, that you abuse drugs and/or alcohol, you will have a harder chances of getting benefits. This would require the use of an experienced attorney. SSA regulations specifically state that one cannot be found disabled due to drug or alcohol abuse. Now this does not mean that one cannot be found disabled if one uses drugs or alcohol. The question becomes: Which symptoms are due to the mental condition? And which symptoms are due to drug/alcohol abuse? And which symptoms/conditions would still remain if the person refrained from using drugs/alcohol? Best advice---refrain from abusing drugs/alcohol.

So if you and you’re doctor believe that you are disabled, gather the information and evidence, get the aforementioned books and check out the website, and start the application process for SSDI/SSI.

Good luck!

Bryan