Can I Collect SSDI If I Suffer From Depression?

Psychiatric disabilities represent the most significant diagnostic group for disability insurance, yet it is also one of the most challenging conditions to receive approval. Of those with psychiatric disabilities, 85% suffer from a mood or psychotic disorder. It is also the fastest-growing medical listing group, with a fifth of claims related to psychiatric disorders. Many people also suffer from depression while collecting insurance for other primary disabilities. Although benefits are available through Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI and Social Security Insurance SSI, eligibility often proves more difficult than physical conditions.

There is an increased likelihood of denial by the Social Security Administration (SSA), making proof of your disorder crucial to the disability application process. People suffering from depression who have contributed to the required Social Security tax can apply for disability insurance. Here we look at depression as a disabling condition, whether you can claim disability for depression, and what process is involved in the evaluation of your claim.

Does Social Security Consider Depression To Be Disabling?

Yes, SSA considers depression a disability when it impacts your ability to work. To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you require medical documentation establishing your condition has made it impossible to work for at least 12 months. Depression falls under Mental Disorders: Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders.

As with any disability, if you suffer from depression, you must provide medical records establishing mental health conditions that meet the SSA Blue Book criteria. Documentation from medical professionals, specifically those specializing in mental health conditions, such as therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, and outreach workers, is critical to qualify for disability benefits. You also have to meet the following criteria:

• Proof you are unable to work for at least 12 months
• Work history showing you have earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Work history equivalent to 5 of the past 10 years of full-time work

If you lack the required work history, the SSI program can assist. In this case, your eligibility is based on medical history, income, and resources. About a fourth of SSDI beneficiaries qualify for dual eligibility to receive both SSDI and SSI.

Can You Get SSDI for Depression?

Yes, if you suffer from clinical depression and have established a history of medical conditions preventing you from working for at least a year, you can claim disability for depression. Symptoms of clinical depression can include:

• Sadness
• Lethargy
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Restlessness
• Overeating or loss of appetite
• Loss of interest in activities, people, or sex
• Feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, worthlessness
• Increased pessimism
• Low self-esteem
• Disturbed sleep patterns, such as waking early or sleeping later
• Anxiety and irritability
• Suicidal thoughts

If you or a loved one cannot work due to any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Your doctor will provide the tests and care you need to decrease symptoms and establish a medical history demonstrating your condition is impacting your earning capabilities.

What Process Does Social Security Use To Evaluate a Disability Claim Based On Depression?

Social Security follows a five-step evaluation process to establish your eligibility to receive benefits. An adjudicator decides if you are denied, eligible or must move to the next step based on the information provided. In most cases, they will consult with a Disability Determination Service (DDS) Examiner and DDS Physician because disability for depression cases are more complicated than the listed medical conditions. As well, SSA is likely to request further information and assessment throughout the five-step process. Here are the five steps of evaluation:

Step 1: Non-Medical Criteria

Before you move to Step 2 you must meet the non-medical criteria. To qualify, you can’t work above a “Substantial, Gainful Activity” (SGA) level, allowing you to earn over $1,090 gross each month. Even if you have ample proof that your depression is debilitating, your claim is automatically denied if you earn too much.

Step 2: Severe Impairment

Here, the onus is on you to prove your disability for depression is severe enough to keep you from working. Your medical evidence is crucial to pass this step. Because depression can be harder to prove, you should consider working with a disability advocate who can walk you through the process and ensure all the required records are collected. At Princeton Disability, we also improve your application by including a questionnaire that provides all relevant information to establish your current lifestyle and confirm your impairment.

Once they review your application, SSA adjudicators will almost certainly send you Activities of Daily Living and Vocational Questionnaires. Because it is very difficult to understand the language required to support your claim your impairment is severe, sending our forms at the initial application stage provides the necessary information to show the SSA how your mental condition is impacting your ability to perform the simplest of daily activities.

At this stage, you might also be scheduled with a DDS doctor to perform a Consultative Examination (CE) to further prove your work capacity is significantly reduced. The information is reviewed, and the adjudicator decides how your condition impacts the following:

• Ability to perform basic work-like activities
• Ability to speak
• Concentration
• Ability to follow instructions
• Interaction with co-workers

If your application and information prove your condition is severe, you move to Step 3. If your symptoms are not severe enough to impact your ability to work, your claim is denied. You can contact a disability advocate to help you appeal the decision.

Step 3: Medical Listings

The SSA evaluates your ability to work based on their Listing of Impairments. Disability for depression falls under Listing 12.04 Affective Disorders, which must cause a severe and ongoing disturbance of mood that is either manic, depressive, or a combination of both. Your symptoms must satisfy at least one requirement from section A and two from B or the requirements outlined in section C.

Section A

Medical records must demonstrate the persistent, continuous, or intermittent presence of at least one of the following:

1. Depressive syndrome must be characterized by at least four of the following:

• Loss of interest in almost all activities
• Appetite changes and change in weight
• Sleep issues
• Psychomotor issues
• Energy decrease
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking
• Suicidal thoughts
• Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking

2. Manic syndrome is characterized by at least three of the following:

• Being hyperactive
• Pressure of speech
• Flight of idea
• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• Easily distracted
• Participating in high-risk activities with a likelihood of painful consequences not recognized
• Hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking; or

3. Bipolar syndrome with a history of episodic periods manifested by the complete symptomatic picture of both manic and depressive syndromes (and characterized by either or both syndromes)

Section B

In hand with the above, you must have proof of at least two of the following:

• Marked restrictions in daily living activities
• Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning
• Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace
• Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration

If you do not meet the criteria for A and B, you must prove you meet the requirements in Section C.

Section C

A history documenting a chronic disorder lasting at least two years and causing more than a minimal limitation to perform basic work activities. One or more of the following symptoms must be confirmed by a medical professional and currently treated with medication or psychosocial support:

• Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration
• A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or a change in the environment would cause the individual to decompensate
• Current history for a year or more of being unable to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with a need for such an arrangement.

If you meet the requirements of the medical listing, you are approved for benefits. If not, your application moves on to Step 4.

Step 4: Work History

The SSA would prefer you find alternative work than pay out benefits. At this step, they consider your past work and your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to determine what work you are still capable of doing. Your adjudicator considers your impairments and symptoms to assess your ability to perform tasks that require skills such as:

• Remembering
• Understanding
• Communicating
• Interacting with others
• Comprehension of basic instructions
• Concentration
• Pace of work
• Persistence of activity
• Working without excessive breaks
• Dealing with the public

Your RFC is then compared to your Past Relevant Work (PRW) in the past 15 years before the Alleged Onset Date (AOD) of your depression. Your past work is classified to determine if you can perform similar jobs. If yes, your claim is denied. If not, your application proceeds to the final step.

Step 5: Other Work

This is the last attempt for the SSA to show your disability for depression does not interfere with other types of work. Using the same Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), they add a few more considerations to assess your ability to work based on the following:

Education Level

Your education level helps identify possible job opportunities. You will be slotted into one of the following levels:

• Illiterate (or unable to communicate in English)
• Marginal (generally 6th grade or less)
• Limited (generally 7th through 11th grades)
• High school (and above)

Work Experience

Here the adjudicator decides if your past work provided skills that allow you to perform different jobs than those in your work history. In other words, do you have transferable skills?

Age

Age is a factor, as it can impact your ability to train for new roles. Categories include:

• Younger (ages 18-49)
• Closely approaching advanced age (ages 50-54)
• Advanced age (ages 55-59)
• Closely approaching retirement age (ages 60+)

People under 50 are considered to be more trainable by the SSA, so they are less likely to qualify for benefits. If you are in the advanced or close to retirement category, the SSA considers you less trainable, so you are more likely to be approved. Medical-Vocational Guidelines determine whether you are deemed Disabled or Not Disabled. If you are found not disabled, you can work with a disability advocate to appeal your case.

How Does the Medical-Vocational Grid Work?

The SSA uses the grid to categorize applicants into disabled or not disabled based on the following:

Disabled

• 201.01: Advanced age, limited or less education, unskilled or no work experience
• 201.02: Advanced age, limited or less education, skilled or semiskilled, but skills are not transferable
• 201.04: Advanced age, high school graduate or more, but does not provide for direct entry into skilled work, unskilled or no skills
• 201.06: Advanced age, high school graduate or more, but does not provide for direct entry into skilled or semi-skilled, but the skills are not transferable

Not disabled

• 201.03: Advanced age, limited or less education, skilled or semi-skilled but skills are not transferable
• 201.05: Advanced age, high school graduate or more, does not provide direct entry into skilled work, unskilled or no previous work

How Do I Submit A Disability Claim For Depression?

If your depression keeps you from earning a living, you can apply for SSDI online, at the local SSA office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A disability advocate can help ensure you provide detailed information to establish credibility, including:

• Work history
• Medical evidence
• Testimony from witnesses
• Complaints and symptoms
• Ability to work
• Activity level
• Mental ability

Completing each detail of your application correctly, and submitting a questionnaire with all the required information, significantly increases your chances of approval.

Should I Get Professional Help?

Yes. It is in your best interest to work with a disability advocate who will ensure you follow the required steps to avoid your claim being denied. Considering that only 34 percent of applicants submitted without the assistance of an advocate are approved for disability benefits, you can save time and start receiving your benefits to help overcome financial hardship sooner.

Princeton Disability Advocates are here to ensure you file your claim correctly to avoid delays and the risk of denial. Reach out to our team today.