What if I Can't See a Doctor Within a Few Weeks of Disability

[filmismylove]

My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: CA

Background: I have Bipolar 1. I have previously been in the hospital for manic episodes and receive Medi-Cal Disability for health insurance. However, I do NOT receive SSI. I have always believed in myself and wanted to work. I only graduated college a year and a half ago and have not been in the hospital for almost 2 years.

But I still have symptoms from this mental illness and it has been getting worse, almost scary. I have psychotic ideas that I don't want to think about. Like visions of violence in people I talk to.

My doctor has been changing my medications almost everytime I go in to see him. Anyway, I started feeling bad when the weather started to change. I work commission only and by mid october my income had dropped from $1200-$2400 every two weeks, to less than $250/week. All of this is due to my social anxiety (not being able to initiate pitches and make sales) and the psychotic ideas I have. Instead of working I would sit in McDonalds and stare at the wall.

I had to move out of where I was living and the only place I had to go was my mom's. This is the superficial reason for quitting my job. I didn't make enough money so I had to move. But the deeper truth as to why I did not make enough money is due to my disability.

I just moved to a different county so it will take time to see a new doctor. What should I do? I can't get my old doctor to do anything. The social worker might.

And is this an unemployment claim, or a disability claim?

Lastly, I don't want to live on welfare. I sincerely want to work and contribute to society, but having been in the hospital before, I know I can't put this stress on myself.

Thank you for your help.

And would it hurt my case if I don't see a doctor until mid December?
What will happen if they need the older doctor's files?
Does my case sound like it will be approved, or not?

[Beth3]

And is this an unemployment claim, or a disability claim?

This is not an unemployment claim. You voluntarily quit your job plus it does not appear you're available for work due to your medical condition. If you are asking whether you quality for SSDI, you'll have to apply with the SSA and see what happens.

And would it hurt my case if I don't see a doctor until mid December? A case for what? I don't quite understand what you're asking.

What will happen if they need the older doctor's files? Your new doctor will request that your former doctor send a copy of your medical file.

Does my case sound like it will be approved, or not? Certainly not for unemployment benefits. Whether you will be eligible for SSDI is something only the Social Security Administration can determine.

[filmismylove]

Thanks for your help. I'm actually asking about SDI, state disability insurance, not SSDI.

I had to consider, if I stayed in LA and continued working without being able to pay rent, I would have ended up sleeping in my car and probably in the hospital as I was experiencing the beginnings of a manic episode.

Does this qualify me for state disability insurance?

[Beth3]

I'm not familiar with CA's state run disability benefit so I'm afraid I can't answer your question. Perhaps another responder can.

[cbg]

Since none of the responders here work for the state disabilty commission, I doubt that anyone here can give you anything more than a more or less informed guess. I can tell you this, though - if you do apply, you might or might not be approved. If you don't apply, you definitely won't.

[Legal Beagle]

I worked with a woman who had SS disability benefits, and between the benefits and her part time job at the court house, she had the right balance for her life. You're an American, and Americans created Social Security to help other Americans.