If mental health is keeping you from holding a job to earn a basic income, you might be eligible for disability benefits. These disability benefits can be used to replace lost income and cover basic living expenses. Exploring what mental health conditions are covered by disability benefits and the eligibility criteria may help you decide whether this option is right for you. Consult with a Philadelphia disability lawyer to learn more.
Multiple mental health conditions have the potential to be covered by disability benefits under the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA Blue Book lists the mental health conditions they offer disability benefits for in addition to the specific eligibility criteria for each condition. These mental health disability listings may help you figure out whether your mental health struggles could qualify you for disability benefits.
The main mental health conditions under these listings include neurocognitive disorders like dementia, schizophrenia-related conditions, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), intellectual disorders, personality disorders, autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and trauma-related mental health conditions. Finding out which one you fall closer into is vital for figuring out whether you might be eligible for disability benefits.
An important step for doing this is obtaining a diagnosis in your medical record by a medical professional. A diagnosis from a mental health professional compared to your general medical doctor may provide greater credibility when applying for benefits. You can request a diagnosis through various mental health professionals including counselors, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists.
The next step would be to look through the specific eligibility criteria for the SSA Blue Book mental health condition listing your diagnosis falls under. Each listing has different criteria. Consider contacting a Philadelphia disability lawyer to help you figure out ways to prove that you meet these eligibility criteria.
The SSA offers two disability benefits programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Exploring the disability benefits eligibility criteria for these programs is important when applying for benefits. Both programs require people to meet the definition of a disability:
The SSDI program requires you to have a specific number of work credits from your previous work history that paid into Social Security. If you do not have this, do not panic. SSI only requires you to make below a certain level of monthly income to qualify. You must also provide sufficient evidence of your mental health condition diagnosis, symptoms, impaired work performance, and prognosis.
You may not have to apply for mental health disability benefits alone. Feel free to ask a Philadelphia denied benefits appeal attorney for guidance if your disability benefits claim was denied. All you have to do is call Edelstein & Nelson today at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation about your options for disability benefits. Our dedicated team of lawyers might be able to help you obtain the disability benefits you need.