If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify for benefits.
While many people believe that Social Security disability benefits are limited to those people with physical disabilities, people with mental health conditions may also qualify for benefits. Because the symptoms of mental health disorders are not always as obvious as with physical conditions, it is often more difficult to be approved for benefits. That is where an experienced Social Security disability attorney can help with putting together the paperwork and documentation need to improve the likelihood of your application being approved.
While many people struggle with mental illness, in order to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, the mental health condition must be signifiant enough that it impacts your ability to live your life normally. That is because disability benefits are based on your inability to work and provide an income for yourself. In your application, you will need to show that you are unable to function in a job setting due to your mental illness. For example, if you have severe depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder that renders you unable to leave your home or interact with others, that may qualify as a condition that impacts you to an extent that you are unable to work.
There are a number of mental health conditions that are listed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that may qualify for benefits. These include autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, depressive disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, even if your specific mental illness is not listed by the SSA, you may still qualify for benefits if the symptoms that you experience as a result of your condition are severe enough to affect your ability to work. A knowledgable Social Security disability attorney can help you determine if you may meet the criteria for benefits.
One aspect that is important is what is known as somatic symptom disorder, which is the presence of physical symptoms that restful from the mental health conditions. These symptoms must be more severe than what is considered normal in order to be approved for benefits. For example, if a person occasionally has trouble focusing or concentrating, that would likely not be considered somatic symptom disorder. However, if a person has an inability to concentrate or to apply information provided as a result of his or her mental illness, that will likely be considered somatic symptom disorder. However, these issues should be well-documented by a mental health professional, including information about how these symptoms impact employment.
Documentation is a key aspect for all Social Security disability claims. This is particularly true when it comes to mental health conditions. Be sure to go to see a mental health professional regularly, and follow up with doctors or other medical providers as necessary. Doing so will help you to build a record to show that the severity of your mental illness, how it impacts your ability to work, and how its symptoms affect your daily life. A skilled Social Security disability attorney can work with you to help explain the type of documentation needed for your claim.
If you have a mental health condition that prevents you from working, you may qualify for Social Security benefits. Contact PBSH today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you with your application, hearing or appeal.