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How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?


 
Yes, you can apply for Social Security disability and/or Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI) if you have a mental condition. Social Security does not differentiate between physical and mental conditions. You may apply for disability on the basis of any mental condition, including but certainly not limited to the following: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, memory loss, or any other type of cognitive or mood disorder.

Social Security uses the same five-step sequential disability evaluation process to determine disability eligibility for physical and mental impairments.

The first step of this evaluation process is an evaluation of your work activity. If you are working, Social Security must evaluate whether or not you are performing SGA. (Substantial gainful activity or SGA is work activity at a level that social security considers self-supporting. If you are working and earning over the monthly SGA monthly limit amount, it does not matter how severe your mental condition is--your disability claim will be denied.

If you are not performing SGA, they move to the second step. The second step determines if you have a severe medically determinable mental impairment (or physical impairment) and if your mental condition has lasted or is expected to last twelve continuous months.

Social Security uses treatment records from psychiatrists, psychologists, hospitals, physicians, or any other kind of medical professional to document the existence and severity of your mental condition.

If you have a severe mental condition, the disability examiner moves to the third step. The third step determines whether or not your mental condition meets or equals the severity requirements of an impairment listing. You may be approved for disability benefits at this step. If not, your ability to perform any of your past work (fourth step) and your ability to do other kinds of work (fifth step) has to be evaluated.

At this point, Social Security may consider your age, education, residual functional capacity (what you are able to do despite the limitations of your disabling condition), and the transferability of your job skills. If they determine that you cannot do any of your past work or any other kind of work due to the limitations of your mental condition, you may be approved for disability benefits through a medical vocational allowance.














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    Individual Questions and Answers


  • The Medical Records That Are Best For A Social Security Disability Claim

  • The Time Involved on a Social Security Disability Decision

  • What happens after I file my disability claim with Social Security?

  • I Need To Apply For SSI or SSD But I Do Not Know Where to Start?

  • What Will a Disability Lawyer Do to Win a Social Security Case?

  • Should I List My Past Depression Medications on My Social Security Disability Application?

  • What Happens After You File For Disability Benefits?

  • Social Security Disability Health Coverage

  • Social Security Disability Status

  • How Likely Is It That A Social Security Disability Claim Will Be Won Prior To The Hearing Level?

  • Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

  • Who makes the Determination of a Social Security Disability Claim?

  • SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND MEDICARE BENEFITS

  • How do you find out if a Social Security disability claim has been approved or even denied ?

  • How do you apply for disability if you have depression problems ?

  • Cirrhosis, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)?

  • Can a mental illness qualify you for disability?














    Special Sections


  • Answers to Social Security Disability and SSI Questions

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Denials

  • Questions about Social Security Disability Approvals

  • The Social Security Hearing Process

  • SSI Disability Benefits







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