SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Is it hard to qualify for Social Security benefits if you have depression ?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
Social Security law and regulations state that all impairments are evaluated equally whether they are mental impairments, such as depression, or physical impairments. However, the Social Security disability handbook makes it difficult to receive an approval for most mental impairments at the initial claim or reconsideration levels.

Many disability claims based upon depression will be have be appealed to the administrative law judge hearing level, because an Administrative Law Judge is not strictly bound by the criteria in the social security administration's blue book, titled “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”.

That is not to say that if your mental health history includes multiple suicide attempts or hospital stays that you will not be approved at the application level, or at the reconsideration level. In fact, many individuals with depression problems have severe functional limitions. They are unable to get up in the mornings, have crying spells, or do not like to be around other people in social and work settings.

Unfortunately, very often Social Security disability claims examiners and physicians do not look at the symptoms and realize that these symptoms can dramatically affect an individual's ability to sustain work.

Additionally, Social Security does not address the special nature of many mental illnesses in that most forms of mental illness will allow an individual to work for short periods of time, however they cannot sustain their work activity over long periods and lose their jobs.

Additional information:

Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?















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Individual Questions and Answers


  • Winning Social Security Disability Benefits For Mental Disorders

  • Will I be approved for disability on my appeal ?

  • When Are You Allowed To Ask For A Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Mental Claims and Criteria

  • How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?

  • The SSD, Social Security Disability Date of Application

  • If You File For Social Security Disability How Far Back Will They Look At Your Medical Records?

  • How Long Does Your Attorney Have To File Your Social Security Disability Appeal?

  • How do you appeal your denial for disability?

  • Will you be notified if you receive an Approval for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • What makes a person eligible to receive disability benefits?

  • Filing an Application for Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI

  • Applying for disability benefits in North Carolina

  • Can You Get Approved For Social Security Disability If You Do Not Take Medication Or Go To a Doctor?

  • When you Apply for Social Security do you get Medicare?

  • The Social Security Disability Medical Review

  • How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

  • The Social Security Disability Decision and Your Ability to Work

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Mental Disability Benefits and What Social Security will Consider

  • When should you apply for Social security disability?

  • Does Social Security offer Partial Disability Benefits?

  • You Must Give Social Security Disability Your Work History When You Apply

  • What happens if my social security disability application is denied?

  • Social Security Disability Re-evaluations

  • Can I Be Eligible For SSI And Social Security Disability At The Same Time?

  • How much time does it take to get an SSI Decision?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Kansas

  • Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

  • Glaucoma, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • Social Security Disability Medical Evaluation Form, Can A Doctor Be Forced to Complete One?

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials