Millions of people are affected by mental illnesses every year, with depression and bipolar disorder being among the most common. If you have a severe version of one of these disorders that prevents you from working, you may wonder if you can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Understanding the eligibility criteria and gathering comprehensive medical evidence are crucial steps in successfully obtaining these benefits.
What Are The Qualifications for SSDI with Depression or Bipolar Disorder?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a comprehensive list of impairments, often referred to as the “Blue Book,” to assess disability claims. Depression and bipolar disorder are listed in this book and can potentially qualify for benefits. Here are some specific requirements for each highlighted in the Blue Book:
Depression
- Symptoms: The severity and persistence of depressive symptoms, such as persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood; loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities; appetite or weight changes; sleep disturbances; psychomotor agitation or retardation; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
- Functional Limitations: Documented evidence of significant functional limitations in daily activities, social functioning, concentration, persistence, or pace due to depression. This may include difficulty maintaining relationships, completing tasks, or staying focused at work.
- Treatment: The Blue Book requires documentation of ongoing treatment for depression, including therapy, medication management, or other interventions. The response to treatment helps demonstrate the severity and persistence of the condition despite medical intervention.
- Duration: Evidence that the depressive symptoms have persisted or are expected to persist for at least 12 months, significantly impacting the individual’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
Bipolar Disorder
- Mood Episodes: Documented evidence of manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes characterized by symptoms such as elevated or irritable mood, increased energy or activity, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, distractibility, excessive involvement in activities, or risky behaviors.
- Depressive Episodes: The Blue Book outlines criteria for depressive episodes, including persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood; loss of interest or pleasure in activities; significant weight changes; sleep disturbances; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
- Functional Limitations: Documentation of significant functional limitations in daily activities, social functioning, concentration, persistence, or pace due to bipolar disorder. This may include difficulty maintaining relationships, completing tasks, or staying focused at work during both manic and depressive episodes.
- Treatment: Evidence of ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder, including medication management, therapy, or other interventions, and the response to treatment. This helps demonstrate the severity and persistence of the condition despite medical intervention.
- Duration: Symptoms of bipolar disorder must have persisted or be expected to persist for at least 12 months, significantly impacting the individual’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
What Disabilities Are Hard to Prove for SSDI?
Understanding SSDI Criteria for Mental Health Disorders
Navigating the SSDI application process can be complex, especially when dealing with mental health disorders. The Blue Book outlines very specific requirements and symptom severity needs. This blog aims to provide an overview. To explore the full list of mental health disorders and their criteria, the official SSA site at https://www.ssa.gov/ provides a thorough overview. Always remember, having medical evidence to support the presence of any listed symptoms is crucial in a disability claim. From documenting symptoms and functional limitations to providing evidence of ongoing treatment, meeting SSDI criteria involves meticulous attention to detail.
Seeking Legal Advice: Tabak Law
It’s important for individuals considering applying for SSDI benefits to seek legal support and guidance. That’s where Tabak Law’s expertise comes in. Specializing in SSDI and VA benefits, we have deep knowledge of complex requirements and how to present your medical evidence compellingly. If you’re struggling with a disability claim or a denial, schedule a free case review to have an experienced advocate stand by your side.
Nothing posted on this website is intended, nor should be construed, as legal advice. Blog postings and site content are available for general education purposes only.