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Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Illness

Published on September 17th, 2021

Getting approved for social security disability benefits can be a hard process, as you have to do a sufficient job in proving that your disability affects your working status. However, if you suffer from a debilitating mental health disorder, proving its impact on your work life can be even harder given mental health’s stigma. While it’s difficult, getting approved is certainly possible with the right representation.

Who is Eligible?

The first step is to know if you meet basic SSA requirements for qualifying for benefits, regardless of if your disorder is physical or mental. In order for your application to be reviewed, you must have a formal diagnosis stating that you have a disabling condition, and that the condition will put you in a disabled state for at least 12 months.

What’s the SSA “Blue Book”?

When the SSA gathers your information to determine if your condition is eligible for benefits, they try to match your symptoms with symptoms listed in the official Blue Book, which is their official medical guide that’s used to analyze every disability benefits application. While requirements and symptoms can be more vague when it comes to mental illnesses, there are still certain qualifications.

The Blue Book details 11 different categories of mental illnesses that are approved: neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders, depression and bipolar disorders, intellectual disorders, anxiety and OCD, somatic disorders, personality and impulse-control disorders, autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and trauma- and stress-related disorders.

What Should Be Included?

To make your case as convincing as possible to the SSA, you should include as much information as possible about your mental disorder and how it affects you. This includes all your medical records including doctors appointments, diagnoses, hospital visits, or even therapy sessions, any professional opinions or statements from your doctors or other health professionals, and any medications or treatments you’ve tried. The more information and proof you provide, the more the SSA has to work with.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Since getting approved for SSDI benefits with a mental disorder can be challenging, being represented by an experienced, convincing attorney can make all the difference. Our attorneys can help you gather evidence, decide what to submit, how to represent yourself and your case, and more. Sending off your application to the SSA without an attorney’s help won’t give you the highest odds of winning your case.

Crosby Law Firm is dedicated to helping you through tough legal situations. Whether it be an SSDI lawyer, divorce attorney, estate planning lawyer, or criminal defense attorney in Rockford, IL, our experienced and committed team is always on your side. Call today to receive the supreme representation you deserve.

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