how to apply for disability benefits for depression

How Can I Apply for Disability for Depression? You may qualify for financial aid through social security disability insurance (SSDI

) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if depression affects your ability to work. If you think you qualify, you must apply directly at your local SSA office.

Full Answer

How do you apply for disability if you have depression?

To receive disability benefits, you will need to show proof of more than just a diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder. You will need to present evidence that your depression or bipolar disorder is so severe that you are unable to work or function well.

Does My Depression qualify as a disability?

Treatment-resistant depression can be a disability that interferes with your ability to maintain a job. The ADA outlines mental health disorders like depression as potential disabilities that may qualify you for financial assistance, including supplemental income and health insurance. The process to secure SSDI or SSI can be a long process.

Can you get Social Security disability for depression?

You may qualify for financial aid through social security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if depression affects your ability to work. If you think you qualify, you must apply directly at your local SSA office.

Does depression qualify for Disability Tax Credit?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers depression to be a mental health disorder that may qualify an individual for disability. However, there are many factors that determine whether your specific experience of depression is a disability.

How hard is it to get disability for depression?

Like other conditions with symptoms that are based on emotional distress, a disability based on depression can be difficult to prove to the Social Security Administration because the symptoms are often difficult to measure. Additionally, just being diagnosed with depression is not enough to qualify for benefits.

What can I say to get disability for depression?

Providing medical documentation showing that you meet the listing can be tough, but you can use statements from a psychologist, statements from former bosses or co-workers, family members, social workers, or anyone else who can speak to the impact that the symptoms of depression have had on your ability to work.

Can you get disability for being depressed?

Can You Get Disability For Depression? Depression is considered a disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a listing for depression, and if you can meet those criteria by providing extensive medical evidence and other supporting documentation, your claim will be approved.

Can you collect disability for depression and anxiety?

The good news is that those with either depression and anxiety can qualify for SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration has a process for evaluating your right to collect Social Security disability benefits based on claims of a mental health problem.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

How long does it take to get SSI for depression?

It generally takes 3 to 5 months to receive a decision.

How does depression limit your ability to work?

Depression can be so disruptive to a person's life that it interferes with everyday life and makes it impossible to work. If your depression is so severe, even with antidepressive medication, that you can't work any type of job, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

How do you prove disability for anxiety?

If you apply for disability benefits under Anxiety-Related Disorders, you can prove your case through medical records, letters and reports from your doctor, and your own testimony.

What is the hardest state to get disability?

OklahomaOklahoma is the hardest state to get for Social Security disability. This state has an SSDI approval rate of only 33.4% in 2020 and also had the worst approval rate in 2019 with 34.6% of SSDI applications approved. Alaska had the second-worst approval rate, with 35.3% of applications approved in 2020 and 36.2% in 2019.

What is the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

SSDI payments range on average between $800 and $1,800 per month. The maximum benefit you could receive in 2020 is $3,011 per month. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits.

What mental illness is considered a disability?

Mental illnesses that can be covered by Social Security disability include depression, anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disability.

What qualifies disability?

The legal definition of disability They have a physical or mental impairment, and. the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. '

How long do you have to work to qualify for SSDI?

To qualify for the program, you must: prove you haven’t been able to work for at least 12 months. have paid Social Security through paycheck deductions for the last 5 out of 10 years.

How long does it take to get a disability decision?

It can take up to half a year to receive a decision on your application for disability benefits. If you’re approved, you’ll receive retroactive pay based on the date you first applied. Many applications for disability benefits are denied by SSA. If this happens to you, you can appeal the decision in court.

How long do you have to be on Medicare to get medicaid?

It covers people with a disability who are able to receive other federal financial assistance. You can qualify for Medicare health insurance benefits after 2 years of having SSDI. You can also apply for Medicaid health insurance coverage if you’ve been eligible for SSI payments for at least 1 month.

What age do you start to get depressed?

Depression can occur at any point in your life, but the median age it begins is age 32.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Clinical depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Your doctor may diagnose you with depression if you experience a combination of the following symptoms on most days for at least two weeks: 1 persistent sadness 2 hopelessness and emptiness 3 irritability and anxiety 4 appetite changes 5 sudden weight gain or loss 6 feelings of guilt and worthlessness 7 unexplained aches and pains 8 insomnia or oversleeping 9 excessive fatigue 10 concentration difficulties 11 memory problems 12 suicidal thoughts or behaviors

How long does it take to get diagnosed with depression?

Your doctor may diagnose you with depression if you experience a combination of the following symptoms on most days for at least two weeks : persistent sadness. hopelessness and emptiness.

Can depression be a disability?

Treatment-resistant depression can be a disability that interferes with your ability to maintain a job. The ADA outlines mental health disorders like depression as potential disabilities that may qualify you for financial assistance, including supplemental income and health insurance.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Mental symptoms typically include feelings of sadness, guilt, and hopelessness as well as difficulty concentrating on tasks and potential thoughts of suicide. Physical symptoms include changes in appetite, decreased energy levels, and inability to sleep.

How long do you have to be sober to get disability?

To avoid this, before an applicant completes an application, he or she needs to be sober for a substantial time period (at least 6 months) and must have medical records during this period that proves they are clinically depressed without the usage of drugs or alcohol.

How long do you have to be sober to apply for a job?

To avoid this, before an applicant completes an application, he or she needs to be sober for a substantial time period (at least 6 months) and must have medical records during this period that proves they are clinically depressed without the usage of drugs or alcohol.

Why do people struggle with depression?

Most people struggle with depression at some point in their lives because of unfortunate events such as the death of a loved one or separation from a significant other. However, these periods of depression tend to be short and situational where the individual will recover and is not a true case of clinical depression.

Can depression qualify for disability?

Most people who are approved for depression also have other conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, etc. For an individual with depression to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, his or her symptoms must meet the severity levels required by the SSA’s Blue Book in section 12.04 Affective Disorders.

Can depression be approved for medical?

If an individual with depression doesn’t meet the requirements of section 12.04, he or she can still be approved through a medical-vocational allow ance. This means the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine how the applicant’s condition of depression affects their ability to do unskilled work.

Can you get disability for depression?

Generally it is very difficult to qualify for disability benefits with depression alone. The symptoms of depression are hard to prove and many people attempt to falsely claim they have depression to receive disability benefits. Most people who are approved for depression also have other conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, etc.

What is Social Security Disability?

Social Security is a federal government program that provides financial benefits to people who are in need. It is funded by federal taxes, and its benefits are paid out to people who are eligible for retirement, have low income, or are unable to work because of specific health conditions.

Can I get Social Security if I have depression?

Depression is a type of mental health disorder that can impact your mood, thoughts and feelings, weight, sleeping habits, energy level, and ability to function. If you have depression that interferes with your ability to work, then you may be eligible for Social Security disability.

Do I qualify for Social Security disability?

You can receive benefits for a disability like depression through SSDI or SSI, but only through SSI if you don’t qualify for SSDI because you haven’t paid into Social Security, don’t have enough work credits (more on these below), and/or made below a certain amount of money. SSI is only for disabled people who have limited income.

The application process

The first step in the application process is determining how you would like to apply. You may choose to apply for disability on your own or with the help of a disability attorney.

How long can you be on disability for depression?

You can remain on disability for depression for as long as your depression prevents you from working. You may no longer be eligible for disability benefits if your mental health improves and you are able to return to work. The SSA will periodically review your case to determine whether you continue to be eligible to receive SSDI.

What if my application is denied?

If your application for disability is denied, you have several different options. When you receive a notice that your application has been denied, you have 60 days to formally appeal the decision. There are four steps to an appeal:

How to know if you have depression?

You must have medical documents stating you have been diagnosed with depression and have experienced at least five of the following symptoms: 1 Depressed mood 2 Appetite disruptions, such as poor appetite or overeating, that cause weight change 3 A diminished interest in nearly all daily activities and interests 4 Difficulty thinking and concentrating

Can you get disability if you have depression?

If you are suffering from a form of depression that is so severe you no longer hold the capacity to function in a normal way that enables you to work or enjoy life, you may qualify for disability benefits.

How to get approved for disability?

Meeting the requirements of the depression listing, above, isn't the only way to receive an approval for disability. If Social Security finds that your depression isn't severe enough to meet the listing above, it will determine if you can be approved by being granted a "medical-vocational allowance." Social Security will consider how your depression symptoms affect your ability to do any type of unskilled work, by looking at your ability to: 1 carry out simple instructions 2 make simple work-related decisions 3 respond appropriately to supervision and to co workers, and 4 handle changes in routine.

What is the purpose of the list of illnesses that qualify for disability?

The purpose of the list is to be able to grant disability quickly for severe impairments. Depression is covered in Social Security's impairment listing 12.04, Depressive, Bipolar and Related.

What is the second most common medical condition listed on Social Security disability?

Depression is the second most common medical condition listed on Social Security disability applications. Depression in its various forms (major depression , dysthymia, and persistent depressive disorder) is a type of mood disorder characterized by gloom, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.

What is the effect of clinical depression on the body?

Major clinical depression interferes with a person's ability to cope with daily stresses and obligations, often rendering an individual unable to function effectively in their everyday life , including work and family activities.

What does depression feel like?

Concurrent with these emotions, a person with depression often suffers from feelings of fatigue and decreased energy levels. Many people with depression experience "anhedonia," the loss of interest in things that were previously enjoyable or rewarding, such as interacting with friends or succeeding at work.

What is the meaning of "depressed"?

depressed mood. decreased interest in almost all activities. appetite disturbance (poor appetite or overeating) resulting in a change in weight. sleep disturbance (insomnia or oversleeping) difficulty concentrating or thinking. feelings of worthlessness or guilt. thoughts of death or suicide, and/or.

Can you get disability if you have depression?

If Social Security decides that the limitations caused by your depression or combined mental impairments that make it impossible for you to do even simple, unskilled work , you will get disability benefits . Or, if Social Security decides you have the mental capacity to perform unskilled work, but you have a physical impairment ...

ADA versus SSA

Disability coverage under the ADA is not the same as under Social Security programs.

Steps to apply for SSA benefits

You can apply for depression disability benefits online, in person at your local office, or on the phone: (800-772-1213).

What is depression known for?

Depression, also referred to as unipolar depression, clinical depression, major depressive disorder and major depression, is a mental disorder that is most commonly known by sadness, grief, irritability, low mood and a loss of interest in normal activities.

How long does depression last?

The duration of depression can last for a short time, weeks or months, or be a present for a lifetime. Symptoms can include body aches, crying spells, low energy, low libido and a change in sleeping patterns, eating habits and weight.

What medical sources are acceptable for Social Security?

Social Security considers acceptable medical sources to be psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and other medical professionals . Depression is evaluated under the criteria of listing 12.04 Affective Disorders. Social Security must establish the existence and severity of your depression.

Is there a difference between SSDI and SSI?

In fact, because there is no difference in the requirements for SSI and SSDI, cases are very often processed with a concurrent claim in both categories, SSI and SSD.

Is depression a serious condition?

Today depression is regarded as a serious condition that can be disabling, though that was not always the case. Treatment includes psychotherapy, antidepressants and in severe cases when other treatments have not worked, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock.

Can children have depression?

Children may have depression as well, though it is oftentimes more challenging to diagnose than adults. There are no laboratory tests for depression, though sometimes a physician may run clinical tests for other conditions before making a diagnosis. A psychological evaluation usually follows a medical check-up.

Is depression a psychological disorder?

Some of these factors are biological and some are psychological.

How long does it take to get a disability for depression?

If you apply on your own, you’ll likely wait almost two years to receive your first disability for depression payment.

How many people get SSD for depression?

In December 2018, about 13% of people got monthly SSD payments for anxiety, depression or both. In other words, at least 1 in every 8 people with approved disability claims have mood disorders. Bonus Tip: You’re more likely to get disability for depression if you list multiple health problems on your application.

How common is depression in women?

Depression is fairly common and affects nearly twice as many women (10.4%) as men (5.5%), according to the CDC. In fact, nearly 1 in 10 Americans aged 20 and older suffer from depression in their lifetime. What’s more, about 1 in 5 depressed people report “moderate or extreme difficulty” with work, daily living or social activities.

What are the symptoms of a syphilis?

In addition, you have trouble adapting to changes in your routine, job, relationships or living arrangements. You have moderate to extreme difficulty interacting with other people, taking care of yourself, paying attention, remembering things and/or following directions.

Can you pass a disability screening for depression?

If yes, you can pass the basic disability for depression eligibility screening. It’s normal for people to feel down or blue from time to time, especially during stressful periods or events. However, real depression is much more than temporary sadness and most people need help to manage its symptoms. If depression interferes with your ability ...

Can I get free legal advice on depression?

This means you’ll get free legal advice over the phone without ever leaving your house. You’re not obligated to do anything else or have that lawyer file your disability for depression claim. But if that lawyer does help you win benefits, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.

Can depression affect SSD?

If depression interferes with your ability to complete basic daily living tasks, then you likely qualify for SSD benefits. Next, let’s look at what criteria the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to evaluate disability for depression claims.

How do I apply for disability benefits?

You can apply for Disability benefits online, or if you are unable to complete the application online, you can apply by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

How long does it take to get SSDI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. The SSDI waiting period begins the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.

When will I get my ALS disability?

There is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020. We pay Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.