Eligibility for SSDI with Mental Health Conditions

To qualify for SSDI due to mental health, you must meet certain criteria set by the SSA. The SSA has a Listing of Impairments for mental health conditions, which provides guidelines for the severity of the condition required to qualify for SSDI. Here’s what you need to know:

• Diagnosis: You must have a formal diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
• Functional Limitations: The SSA requires that your mental health condition prevents you from performing any substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
• Duration of Disability: Your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or be long-term, or be a condition that is expected to result in death.

Common Mental Health Conditions That Qualify for SSDI

Several mental health conditions may qualify you for SSDI benefits if they are severe enough to prevent you from working. Some of the most common conditions include:

• Depression: Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and other mood disorders.
• Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and others.
• Bipolar Disorder: A mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including depressive episodes and manic episodes.
• Schizophrenia: A severe mental health disorder that affects how you think, feel, and behave, often resulting in delusions, hallucinations, and impaired cognitive functioning.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD resulting from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can severely impact daily functioning.

How the SSA Evaluates Mental Health Conditions for SSDI

The SSA evaluates mental health conditions based on a five-step process. To be approved for SSDI, you must meet certain conditions in each step.

• Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): If you are working and earning more than a certain amount ($1,470 per month in 2025), the SSA will likely consider that you are not disabled.
• Step 2: Severity of the Condition: Your mental health condition must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as concentrating, interacting with others, and handling stress.
• Step 3: Meet the SSA’s Listing of Impairments: The SSA has specific criteria for conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. To meet this listing, you must provide medical evidence that shows the severity of your condition aligns with the SSA's standards. If your condition meets these criteria, you may be presumed to be disabled.
• Step 4: Past Work: The SSA will assess whether you can still perform your past work based on your mental health condition. If you can no longer perform your previous work, the SSA will move to the next step.
• Step 5: Other Work: The final step involves determining whether you can perform any other work based on your age, education, work history, and the limitations caused by your mental health condition.

If you can’t perform any type of work due to your mental health condition, you may qualify for SSDI.

How to Prove Your Disability for SSDI with Mental Health Conditions

The most crucial part of your SSDI application is proving that your mental health condition is severe enough to prevent you from working. The SSA requires medical evidence to back up your claim, including:

• Diagnosis from a Mental Health Professional: You must have a clear diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
• Medical Records: Provide detailed records of your treatment, including therapy sessions, hospitalizations, medications, and any other treatments you have undergone.
• Treatment History: Show that you are undergoing regular treatment for your mental health condition. The SSA looks favorably on applicants who are actively seeking help and following a prescribed treatment plan.
• Functional Limitations: Provide evidence of how your mental health condition limits your ability to perform work-related tasks. This includes statements from your doctor, family, friends, or employers that describe how your condition affects your daily life.
• Psychological Testing: In some cases, psychological testing may be necessary to provide more in-depth evidence of your limitations and how your condition impacts your functioning.

What to Do If Your SSDI Claim for Mental Health Is Denied

It’s not uncommon for SSDI claims based on mental health to be denied, even if the condition is severe. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process involves several stages:

• Request for Reconsideration: The first step is to ask the SSA to review your case again. This is usually done by a different claims examiner.
• Request a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to present your case in person.
• Submit Additional Evidence: During the appeals process, you can provide new medical records or other evidence that might support your claim.