Mental Illness and Social Security Disability

The SSA provides benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to a medical condition, including mental illnesses. For mental illness to qualify for SSD benefits, it must be severe and significantly impair your ability to perform work-related activities.

• Qualifying Mental Illnesses for SSD:
  Some of the mental illnesses that may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits include:
• Depression (severe forms such as Major Depressive Disorder)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety Disorders (severe forms that affect functioning)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Intellectual Disabilities

SSA’s Criteria for Mental Illnesses

To qualify for SSDI or SSI due to a mental illness, the SSA must find that your condition meets specific criteria in their Listing of Impairments (also called the Blue Book). The Listing of Impairments outlines the severity levels of different conditions, including mental disorders. You must demonstrate that your condition:

• Prevents You from Working:
  Your mental illness must be so severe that it prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning you cannot work or earn above a certain income threshold.
• Has Lasted or Is Expected to Last for at Least 12 Months or Result in Death:
  The SSA requires that your disability be long-term. This means your mental illness must last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.

The SSA’s Five-Step Evaluation Process for Mental Illness

The SSA uses a five-step evaluation process to determine whether you are eligible for SSD benefits due to a mental illness. These steps include:

• Step 1: Are You Working?
  If you are currently working and earning above the SSA’s substantial gainful activity (SGA) threshold, you may not be eligible for SSD benefits.
• Step 2: Is Your Condition Severe?
  The SSA will evaluate whether your mental illness is severe enough to interfere with your ability to work.
• Step 3: Does Your Condition Meet or Equal a Listing?
  The SSA will check whether your mental illness meets or equals the criteria set forth in the Listing of Impairments. If your condition is not listed but is comparable in severity, you may still qualify.
• Step 4: Can You Do Your Past Work?
  The SSA will assess whether your mental illness prevents you from performing your previous job. If you can still do your past work, you will not qualify for benefits.
• Step 5: Can You Do Any Other Work?
  If the SSA determines that you cannot do your past work, they will then evaluate whether you can adjust to another type of work. If you cannot adjust to other work due to your mental illness, you may qualify for benefits.

Providing Medical Evidence of Your Mental Illness

The most important factor in qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits with a mental illness is providing sufficient medical evidence. This includes:

• Medical Records:
  Your treating doctors should provide detailed records showing your mental health diagnosis, treatment history, and how your illness impacts your ability to function.
• Doctor’s Opinions:
  A statement from your mental health provider (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist) can be crucial. Their assessment should explain how your condition affects your ability to work and perform daily activities.
• Psychological Evaluations:
  If you’ve had any psychological testing, these results can support your claim, especially if they show significant impairments in cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, or social interactions.
• Functional Limitations:
  You will need to show how your mental illness affects key aspects of your life, such as your ability to interact with others, concentrate, remember things, and manage daily tasks. These limitations are critical in determining your ability to work.

SSDI vs. SSI for Mental Illness

• SSDI:
  If you’ve worked and paid into the Social Security system, you may qualify for SSDI benefits if you meet the work history requirements and have a severe mental illness that prevents you from working.
• SSI:
  If you have a limited work history or haven’t worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on your financial need and the severity of your mental illness.