Does Mental Sickness Qualify For Social Security Benefits?

The blue book establishes guidelines for the conditions qualifying a claimant for social security disability benefits. It deals with mental disorders, which details the type of mental disorders qualifying for the benefits and under what circumstances. If you do not get compensation for mental sickness treatment, contact Pekas Smith: Arizona Disability Attorneys. 

Does mental sickness qualify for social security benefits?

There are generally nine types of mental disorders mentioned in the Blue Book.

• Intellectual disabilities
• Autism and related disorders
• Affective disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance addiction
• Personality disorders
• Somatoform disorders
• Paranoia, schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders
• Organic mental disorders

Different types of disorders are evaluated based on their own set of criteria. You should be able to show that you satisfy the criteria or that the total of your disabling conditions is equal to the listed criteria or ultimately restricts you from taking part in any gainful activity.

Basic eligibility for benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) must verify that you fulfill the basic eligibility requirements before reviewing the next application for benefits. The basic eligibility includes:

1. A formal examination of the potentially disabling condition.
2. The examined condition disables you for 12 months or longer.

Once the SSA verifies that you meet the basic eligibility, they will review the medical condition in detail and verify if you meet all the requirements for SSI or SSDI. 

The SSA conducts a thorough review of the medical records provided by you for the benefits. They will try to match the records to the disability mentioned in the ‘Blue Book.”

Extensive medical records are required for qualifying mental sickness claims.

• Diagnosis information, especially from the psychiatrist or psychologist.
• Brain scans or other records of physical abnormalities show an organic cause for symptoms.
• Thoroughly documented series of increased symptoms or decompensation periods.
• Documenting medications, treatment records, therapy, and other management methods used.
• Well-documented symptoms affect your everyday abilities.

Daily life activities include much work, from being able to wear outfits to talking to others. If you show that your mental illness makes working outside of the living place impossible, you have a big chance of getting approved.

For most mental sicknesses, you must show that taking medications for two or more years did not improve the condition. It is pretty hard to get approved for benefits with mental sickness, especially if you do not meet the Blue Book listing. You should work with your physician when applying for benefits.