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STIMULUS PAYMENT IRS TAX RETURN

Dealing with the government is never an easy task, and can be downright overwhelming for those with bipolar disorder and their supporters. If you've had to deal with applying for SSI and/or SSDI, you know what I mean; however, in this case, it could mean up to $600 in your pocket!

If you are on SSDI, then you've probably gotten a packet with information on (or at least heard of) the President's new bill called a "Stimulus Payment" return from the IRS for 2007 tax returns.

At first I wasn't going to take advantage of this because when I first went on disability for my bipolar disorder, it was a nightmare – one I wasn't likely to repeat. That is, until I heard that this "Stimulus Payment" could be a refund up to $600!

Well, yes, it did take me several calls with long waiting periods, and some confusion and misunderstandings for me to finally get to the right person to help me do it, but I was able to do it, and I want to tell you how you can do it, too. I want you to benefit from my experience, without having to go through all the phone calls, waiting time, and people that I had to.

I'm going to give you step-by-step instructions that, if you follow them exactly, you too can get up to $600 just for being on SSDI:

Ok, here's what you do:

1. Get a 1040-A tax return form from your local post office and write on the top of it the words STIMULUS PAYMENT. (This is absolutely crucial, so don't forget to do it.)
    
2. Have the amount that Social Security paid you in 2007 handy (you should have a 1099 form
   they sent you - if not, call them at 1-800-772-1213 to get this figure).
    
3. At the top of the form in the Label Section, fill out your name, address, and social security number. If you are filing "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately" fill in your spouse's SS # here too.
    
4. Filing Status section: If single, check single. If married filing jointly, check that box. But if you are married and are the one with bipolar disorder and receiving SSDI, check "married filing separately" (& remember to fill in your spouse's SS # at the top right of the form). This is where most of you will probably check.
    
5. Exemptions section: 6a - Check "Yourself" box, then at the far right, put the number 1 in the box, where it says "Boxes checked on 6a & 6b. Then jump to bottom of that section (6d) and to the far right ("Add numbers on lines above") put the number 1 in the box.
    
6. Income section: All you do in this section is go to 14a where it says "Social Security benefits" and write in the amount that SS paid you in 2007 (see my note #2).
    
7. Skip all other sections and go directly to Refund section. If you want a paper refund check, skip this section. If you want a direct deposit refund, fill in 44 b, c, and d. Most of you will check the box for checking account, so you will write in here the routing number and checking account number from off one of your checks.
    
   The routing number is the 9-digit number at the far left bottom of your checks. The next 7 digits is your bank account number. You want the refund to go to the right account number, so if you are confused or have any questions, call or visit your bank to get this information.
    
8. Skip to Sign Here section: Sign on the 1st line at the arrow. Fill in date and daytime phone number (include area code).
    
9. Call 1-800-829-1040 (the IRS) to find the address for your state where to send your form to.
    
10. That's it! You're done! You should now receive up to a $600 refund check!

What was most surprising to me was that I found the person I talked to at the IRS very personable, patient, and willing to help me through the whole process I just explained to you. So if you have any questions, you can call them at: 1-800-829-1040. You may have to wait, as there are hundreds of thousands of people eligible for this refund (Stimulus Payment).

Remember, if you're not sure how much Social Security paid you in 2007, you can call them at: 1-800-772-1213, and they will give you this information.

About the Author

Michele Soloway Sexton has dealt with bipolar disorder from a very young age. Her grandmother, mother, herself, and her teenage son all have the disorder. She also lost her sister to suicide because of bipolar disorder. Michele has a blog for bipolar survivors at http://bipolarsurvivor.blogspot.com, and is also a contributing writer to www.bipolarcentral.com.

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"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

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