Can I Qualify for Disability Benefits Due to a Mental Health Condition?

 Posted on May 12, 2022 in Social Security disability

Social Security disability benefits are often associated with individuals whose physical condition limits them from earning a substantial income. However, people who suffer from mental health conditions often find it challenging to keep a job or perform their tasks successfully. Fortunately, if you suffer from a mental condition that impacts your employment, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Qualifications for Benefits

Due to the impact on their cognitive processing, memory, ability to communicate, and ability to regulate their moods, people who suffer from mental health conditions may not be able to earn enough to adequately support themselves and their families. 

If your condition meets the following criteria, we can proceed with an application for benefits.

• The condition prevented you from earning a substantial income (less than $1,350 in monthly gross income in 2022).
• The condition must have lasted for at least one year.
• The condition falls under one of the 11 categories recognized by the Social Security Administration:
• Neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological diseases
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Bipolar and other depressive disorders
• Intellectual disorders, characterized by a lack of intellectual ability or development
• Anxiety and other obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Somatic symptom disorders
• Personality and impulse control disorders
• Autism and other disorders on the autism spectrum
• Neurodevelopmental disorders, including learning disorders, borderline intellectual functioning, and Tourette syndrome
• Eating disorders such as binge-eating, bulimia, and anorexia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related disorders.

These conditions include some that impact individuals from birth, some which develop gradually during your life, and some which can be caused by a sudden traumatic event. Even if your specific condition is not listed, we can still move forward with your application if we can demonstrate that it prevents you from performing gainful employment.

The next step is gathering information from mental health experts as well as your contacts from work and your personal life who can provide evidence of the impact your condition has on your ability to work. We can then work with you to submit the application for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Call a Waukesha Mental Health Disability Benefits Attorney

If you or a loved one suffers from a mental disability and you would like to learn more about your eligibility for Social Security benefits, contact the Milwaukee County Social Security disability lawyers at Pearson Disability Law, LLC. We will review your disability and start working to secure the benefits you are eligible for today. Call us at 414-240-4801 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm