If you can’t work due to mental illness, you might qualify for support in the form of Social Security Disability benefits.
According to federal law, the Social Security Administration (SSA) should recognize your claim if you have any mental disorder that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least a year.
However, the broad definitions for what mental illnesses qualify for disability aren’t all that matters.
It can be confusing and difficult to understand the Social Security Disability requirements for mental illness. Sometimes the SSA denies cases that they shouldn’t be denied. It’s unfair that you should have to jump through so many hoops for support that you need. However, you should not give up hope if your claim is denied at first. Many people in your situation go on to recover benefits through the appeals process
At Paul Baker Law Office, we can help you seek the Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits you deserve for your mental health condition.
What Mental Disorders Qualify for SSD in Kentucky?
The Social Security Administration recognizes many different illnesses. To receive SSD mental health benefits, the illnesses you could be diagnosed with include for example:
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
- Depressive, bipolar and related disorders
- Intellectual disorders
- Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Somatic symptom and related disorders
- Personality and impulse-control disorders
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Eating disorders
- Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
This is not a comprehensive list, because the administration uses umbrella terms under which many different illnesses fall. Common mental illnesses like severe depression and alcoholism may meet the requirements. The most important thing you can do to receive Social Security Disability for mental health is to meet their requirements and document them well.
SSD Eligibility Requirements for Mental Illness in Kentucky
Once you have been clinically diagnosed with a qualifying SSD mental illness, you’ll need to prove that it is serious and pervasive enough to prevent you from working.
Be sure to go to your doctor, and to talk to them honestly about your condition. Take any medicine they prescribe for you and take part in the therapies they recommend.
First, you’ll need to show that you can no longer do the work you used to. Then, you’ll need to prove that you can’t reasonably be trained for different work. Finally, your illness needs to be a long-term one.
Contact Paul Baker Law Office for Help with Your SSD Benefits for Mental Health
If you have a mental health disorder that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. Let the experienced, compassionate attorneys at Paul Baker Law Office explain your legal options for seeking disability benefits for mental illness.
Whether you are preparing your disability claim for the first time, or appealing your case, we can help you take the next steps. Your best chance to receive the benefits you both need and deserve is to have Kentucky lawyers on your side who know what to do.
Contact us by phone, visit our Barbourville offices, or chat with us today. We are ready to start your case with a free consultation.
