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Mental Disability Benefits and What Social Security will Consider


 
While visiting an online disability forum discussing Social Security disability programs, I was surprised by how many individuals with mental impairments feel that the Social Security Administration does not consider their mental impairments as seriously as a physical impairment.

Does the Social Security Administration evaluate mental and physical impairments in the same way? The simple answer to this question is yes. Social Security evaluates all impairments in the same manner, consequently a mental condition may be considered just as disabling as a physical impairment by the Social Security Administration --- as long as the condition has prevented you from working for the past year or is projected to prevent you from working for a year.

What are some of the mental impairments that are considered to be disabling by the Social Security Administration? Depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or any other mental impairment could be considered disabling by Social Security; consequently Social Security disability benefits are paid to individuals suffering from mental problems.

What does Social Security look at when evaluating a mental impairment? Social Security gathers all the medical records from the physicians, hospitals, and clinics that you have provided during your initial disability evaluation. Additionally, they may request that you fill out informational forms, and they may contact your third party person (the person you listed on your initial application, who knows about your condition). If you were not able to provide current medical information (within the last three months) or your medical information was insufficient to make a medical determination, you may have to attend a consultative examination to determine your current mental status.

What is a consultative exam? A consultative examination is an exam that is provided by a physician who is hired by Social Security to evaluate the severity of you mental condition. Generally, it is better to have mental health treatment with your own psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional, than to depend upon an consultative examination with a Social Security consultative physician. Why so? Simply because it is more advantageous to have your decision based upon information gathered over a long period of time verus just one short visit to someone who has never treated you in the past.

Additional information at:

Social Security Disability, SSI, Mental Disorders, and Functional Limitations

What kind of Mental Problems Qualify for Disability?














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