Step 1: Understand SSDI Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for SSDI, you must meet certain basic eligibility requirements set by the SSA:

• Work History: To qualify for SSDI, you need to have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain number of years, depending on your age at the time of your disability. If you have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI, you may still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on financial need rather than work history.
• Severe Disability: The SSA defines a disability as an illness or injury that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. Mental health conditions, if severe enough, can meet this definition.
• Inability to Work: To qualify for SSDI, your mental health condition must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing any work that you have done in the past, and you must be unable to perform any other type of work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy.

Step 2: Can Mental Health Conditions Qualify for SSDI?

Yes, the SSA recognizes mental health conditions as potentially disabling. However, you must demonstrate that your mental health condition significantly limits your ability to function in a work setting. The SSA considers the following conditions as qualifying mental health disorders for SSDI:

• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Personality Disorders

To qualify for SSDI with a mental health condition, your disorder must be severe and long-term, meaning it must last for at least 12 months or be expected to last that long.

Step 3: Gather Medical Documentation

The most important part of your SSDI application is your medical evidence. To prove that your mental health condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability, you’ll need to provide detailed medical documentation, including:

• Diagnosis: Your psychiatrist, psychologist, or primary care doctor should have a formal diagnosis of your mental health condition. This should include detailed information about how long you have been suffering from the condition, the severity, and any treatment you have received.
• Treatment History: Provide records of all treatments you have undergone, including medications, hospitalizations, therapy sessions, and any other interventions. The SSA will want to know whether treatments have been effective or if they have not improved your ability to work.
• Functional Limitations: It's critical to document how your condition impacts your daily life and ability to work. For example, if you have depression, you may be unable to concentrate, maintain energy levels, or interact with coworkers. If you have anxiety, you might experience panic attacks or be unable to leave your home. The SSA wants to know how these limitations affect your work ability.
• Statements from Healthcare Providers: A letter or report from your treating mental health professional explaining the severity of your condition and how it prevents you from working can be extremely valuable. The SSA often places a lot of weight on statements from treating doctors and therapists, particularly if they are detailed and supported by medical records.

Step 4: Complete the SSDI Application

Once you have all your medical evidence in place, the next step is to submit your SSDI application. You can apply in several ways:

• Online: The SSA’s website (www.ssa.gov) allows you to complete and submit your SSDI application online. It’s a convenient and efficient option if you’re comfortable with technology.
• By Phone: You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and schedule an appointment for a phone interview to apply.
• In-Person: If you prefer, you can visit your local SSA office to apply in person. The SSA has field offices in many areas, and you can find the nearest one using the SSA’s office locator tool.

Step 5: SSA’s Evaluation Process

Once your application is submitted, the SSA will evaluate it using a five-step process:

• Step 1 – Are You Working?: If you are earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit (which is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals in 2025), you may not be considered disabled.
• Step 2 – Is Your Condition Severe?: Your mental health condition must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities. For mental health conditions, this often means that you have difficulty concentrating, following instructions, or interacting with others in a work setting.
• Step 3 – Is Your Condition on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments?: The SSA has a Listing of Impairments for various mental health conditions. If your condition is on this list, and it meets the SSA’s specific criteria (such as the severity of symptoms and functional limitations), you may be approved for benefits.
• Step 4 – Can You Do Your Past Work?: The SSA will consider whether you can still perform your previous job, given your mental health limitations. If you cannot, the SSA will proceed to the next step.
• Step 5 – Can You Do Other Work?: If you cannot do your past work, the SSA will evaluate whether you can perform any other type of work, considering your age, education, and experience. If you are unable to perform any work due to your mental health condition, you may be approved for SSDI.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

After you submit your application, it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months to receive a decision on your SSDI claim. The SSA may approve your claim, deny it, or request more information.

If your claim is approved, you will begin receiving monthly SSDI benefits. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision.

Step 7: Appeal a Denial (If Necessary)

If your SSDI claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process includes:

• Reconsideration: The first step is to request a reconsideration of your claim, where the SSA will review your case again.
• Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing with an ALJ. At this hearing, you can present new evidence and testimony to support your case.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your case, you can appeal to the SSA’s Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: As a last resort, you can file a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the SSA’s decision.