Step 1: Determine if You Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for disability benefits for anxiety and depression, you need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for SSDI or SSI.

• For SSDI: You must have worked and paid into Social Security for a sufficient number of years and have earned enough work credits. You also need to prove that your anxiety and depression prevent you from working at a substantial level.
• For SSI: This program is for individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You’ll need to prove that your mental health condition significantly impacts your ability to function and work.

Step 2: Understand the SSA’s Criteria for Mental Health Disabilities

The SSA evaluates anxiety and depression based on its Listing of Impairments (also known as the Blue Book). For both conditions, the SSA will evaluate how the disorder affects your ability to perform work and other daily activities.

For Anxiety Disorders:

• The SSA considers conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
• You must show that the anxiety causes extreme limitations in your ability to function, such as difficulty concentrating, extreme fear in social situations, or panic attacks that interfere with your ability to work.

For Depression:

• Depression must cause significant limitations in your ability to function on a daily basis, including trouble sleeping, concentrating, maintaining relationships, or completing tasks.
• The SSA may also consider the severity of your depression, including whether you have suicidal thoughts, low energy, or frequent emotional breakdowns that severely limit your daily functioning.

Step 3: Gather Medical Evidence

The most important part of your disability claim is providing medical evidence to show how your anxiety and depression affect your ability to work and live independently. The SSA requires thorough documentation from healthcare providers to evaluate your claim. Here’s how you can strengthen your case:

• See a doctor regularly: It’s essential that you are under the care of a healthcare provider, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist.
• Get a clear diagnosis: Your doctor will need to diagnose your anxiety or depression and explain how it affects your daily life.
• Keep detailed medical records: This includes therapy notes, medication prescriptions, hospitalization records, and any other documentation of your condition.
• Request a statement from your doctor: Your doctor’s opinion on how your condition prevents you from working will be extremely helpful. It’s important that the statement details the severity of your symptoms, including the duration of your condition, and its impact on your life.

Step 4: Complete the Disability Application

To apply for disability benefits for anxiety and depression, you will need to complete the Social Security Disability application. This can be done online, over the phone, or in person at a Social Security office.

Steps to Apply Online:

• Visit the SSA’s Disability Benefits Application Page
• Create a my Social Security account or log in if you already have one.
• Complete the application form by answering detailed questions about your medical condition, work history, and personal details.

Steps to Apply by Phone:

• Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to start your application process.

Steps to Apply In Person:

• Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest office using the SSA office locator.

Step 5: Make Sure to Complete All Forms Accurately

The SSA will ask detailed questions about your work history, medications, medical treatments, and how your anxiety and depression affect your daily functioning. Answer all questions accurately, and make sure to include detailed information about how your condition prevents you from working.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

After you submit your disability application, the SSA will review your case. The process can take several months, and the decision depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well it demonstrates that your condition meets the SSA’s requirements.

• If you’re approved, you’ll receive a letter stating that you qualify for benefits, including the amount you’ll receive.
• If you’re denied, you can appeal the decision (you have 60 days from the denial notice to appeal).

Step 7: Appeal a Denied Claim

Many Social Security Disability claims are denied at first, even if you have a valid claim. If your claim is denied, you can request a reconsideration or schedule a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is where you can present additional evidence, such as updated medical records or letters from your doctors, that support your claim.

The appeals process includes:

• Requesting Reconsideration: The SSA will review your claim again, possibly considering new evidence.
• Hearing before an ALJ: If the reconsideration is denied, you can request an in-person hearing where you can present your case to a judge.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your case, you can request a review by the Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: If the Appeals Council also denies your claim, you can take your case to federal court.