Getting approval for Social Security disability claims based on mental disorders is indeed possible, but it’s no simple feat. The success of your claims hinges on various factors, including the severity of symptoms, duration of treatment, effectiveness of the treatment, age, educational background, and the nature of past work. The approval process for mental health disability benefits is also influenced by the thoroughness of documentation by your mental health clinicians. Your clinician’s documentation should encompass both the accuracy of your mental health diagnoses and the intensity of your symptoms.

Assessing Mental Disorder Claims in Social Security Disability Applications

When initiating a Social Security disability benefits claim centered on mental disorders, whether it’s a standalone claim or part of a broader disability application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration will assess your medical records. 

Their evaluation aims to ascertain the presence of a significant mental impairment affecting your work capacity. It’s crucial to note that a diagnosis of a mental disorder doesn’t automatically guarantee Social Security will deem the condition as severe.

Should Social Security identify a severe mental disorder, your evaluation will dig into understanding how the condition restricts your capacity to work. 

This assessment considers the impact of your mental health conditions on your ability to engage in employment. It scrutinizes your work history over the past 15 years, assessing not only the tasks you performed but also exploring the feasibility of other potential roles within the national job market that might be accessible to you despite your mental health constraints.

Throughout the disability determination process, Social Security medical professionals will meticulously examine your medical records. These records will provide a presentation of your diagnosis, and progress notes from your mental health clinician. 

They will evaluate your mental health conditions, a comprehensive list of any psychotropic medications you may be prescribed, and an overview of your prognosis. This thorough scrutiny ensures a comprehensive understanding of your mental health status, aiding in the accurate assessment of your eligibility for disability benefits.

Within your mental health records or notes, it’s essential to outline the particular challenges impacting your daily life, articulate the specific symptoms you manifest, document your advancements in treatment, and note any instances of exacerbation or deterioration. 

Certain mental health conditions may benefit from objective tests conducted by your mental health clinician, providing additional support for the severity of your mental health conditions. Including these detailed elements in your records enhances the comprehensive understanding of your mental health status, contributing to a more informed evaluation of your eligibility for necessary support or benefits.

What Mental Disorders Qualify for Social Security Disability?

The Social Security Administration has specific mental health conditions that may qualify an individual for mental health disability benefits.

Neurocognitive Disorders – Encompassing conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive impairments, this category pertains to disorders significantly impacting memory, reasoning, and judgment.

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders – This classification includes severe mental illnesses characterized by features like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Disorders – Conditions such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are subsumed under this category.

Intellectual Disorder – This category encompasses intellectual disabilities that profoundly affect adaptive functioning.

Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders – Chronic anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder fall within this classification.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders – Covering conditions where physical symptoms are intricately linked to psychological distress.

Should you experience severe depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or any other mental health condition hindering your ability to sustain gainful employment, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

In the case of certain mental disorders, being characterized as “serious and persistent” (lasting for a minimum of two years) is an additional factor to be taken into account. If you believe you fulfill these criteria, it is advisable to seek a professional disability advocate in navigating the application process.

Get Help Applying for Mental Health Disability Benefits

Navigating the mental health disability benefits application can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Collaborating with a disability advocate can substantially enhance your likelihood of securing approval for disability benefits.

Statistics from the SSA reveal that disability claimants who engaged with a disability advocate experienced higher success rates in obtaining mental health disability benefits compared to those who went without representation.

Connect with the professional disability advocates at Golson, McCracken Inc. today! We can review your situation with you in person or over the telephone to determine whether you are eligible, advise you of strategies to increase the likelihood that your claim will be approved, and help you determine how much your claim for benefits may be worth.

Golson, McCracken Inc. provides services across North Carolina including Raleigh, Sanford, Mebane, Greensboro, and Charlotte. Before taking any further action on your mental health disability claim, contact Golson, McCracken Inc. for a free consultation.