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You are here: Home / Social Security Disability Frequently Asked Questions / Can I Get Disability for a Mental Disability?

Can I Get Disability for a Mental Disability?

Mental Illness and Social Security Disability

Yes, you are eligible for SSDI and SSI disability benefits for either physical or mental medical conditions (or a combination of both), but it is usually more difficult to collect disability for a mental disability than for a physical impairment. Why? Because you cannot prove a mental illness with an objective medical test like an X-Ray or MRI. Although a mental health expert like a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose mental illnesses, it may take several visits to the doctor to evaluate the symptoms of a mental condition and assess a diagnosis. Moreover, even if a diagnosis is established, it may take even more time to determine the severity of the condition as severity is difficult to measure objectively.

How the SSA Views Mental Disability Claims

Social Security Disability claims examiners are not licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, and they do not always understand the full scope of limitations caused by certain mental illnesses. For example, some disability examiners do not recognize the cycling nature of mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder (sometimes called by its older name of “manic depression”), and may assume a claimant is cured because he or she does not currently display certain symptoms. However, in reality those symptoms may have just dissipated for the moment, and are almost certain to return in the relative near future. To learn more, see Common Reasons Why Mental Disability Claims Are Denied Disability.

In addition, some disability examiners are biased against disability claims for mental illness.

Mental Impairment Listings

In evaluating a mental health condition, the disability examiner will first refer to Social Security’s official listing of impairments (often referred to as the Blue Book). The Listings in the Blue Book specifically identify medical conditions that the Social Security Administration recognizes as conditions that are inherently disabling. In other words, Social Security accepts that anyone who satisfies all the requirements of a listed condition would be unable to work (or engage in substantial gainful activity).

The disability examiner will review the medical evidence to determine whether a disability applicant’s symptoms meet the criteria of any mental condition listed in the Blue Book. Mental Listings in the Blue Book of impairments include:

  • Schizophrenia;
  • Mental retardation;
  • Autistic disorders;
  • Anxiety;
  • Depression;
  • Bipolar disorder, and
  • Substance abuse disorders.

Each listing (except 12.05 and 12.09) consists of: (1) a statement describing the disorder and (2) two sets of criteria that must be satisfied for the listing: paragraph A criteria (a set of medical findings) and paragraph B criteria (a set of impairment-related functional limitations). There are additional functional criteria (paragraph C criteria) in listings 12.02, 12.03, 12.04, and 12.06.

Social Security will assess the paragraph B criteria before it applies the paragraph C criteria. Social Security will assess the paragraph C criteria only if it finds that the paragraph B criteria are not satisfied. Social Security will find that you have a listed impairment if the diagnostic description in the introductory paragraph and the criteria of both paragraphs A and B (or A and C, when appropriate) of the listed impairment are satisfied.

Mental RFCs

If your condition is not specifically listed in the blue book, or if your condition is not as severe as the Blue Book listing requires, you may still be eligible for disability. You must have been diagnosed with a mental condition that is preventing you from working, and you must demonstrate that your disability has lasted (or is likely to last) for a period of at least twelve months. If your mental residual functional capacity (RFC) shows you have intellectual, social, or functional limitations, you may be eligible for a medical-vocational allowance, depending on your mental limitations, age, education level, and job skills.

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Robby S.

When I was denied my second appeal for disability, I had to find an attorney to represent me. When I went online, I found dozens and dozens of attorneys that specialize in disability. So I read many reviews, and I selected Nick Ortiz. Selecting Nick Ortiz's firm was one of the best choices I have ever made. Nick Ortiz's law firm has an excellent staff. Sarah (one of the staff) has over 10 years of professional experience in the legal field, and she could answer my questions and put me at ease when I called. Tory, the paralegal assigned to my claim, has over 20 years experience. She was very empathetic to my situation and did a great job calming me down and gathering the records from the nine doctors I am seeing. Tory and Sarah were always accessible and patient no matter what questions I had. Nick is a no-nonsense man. My conversation with him put my mind at ease. They also have online courses called the Disability Academy that address everything you need to know before the hearing with the ALJ (the Administrative Law Judge). The veteran staff is there to answer all of your questions and treat you with compassion. I asked Nick what he thought my chances were, and he replied, "I have looked at your case, and I am in it to win." And win, he did. I received full disability. I would highly recommend Nick Ortiz to represent you! The firm provides everything to help you prepare for your hearing.

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