Can I Get Disability for Depression or Bipolar Disorder?
If you have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Social Security Listing 12.04
Social Security Administration considers claimants who are diagnosed with either a depressive or bipolar disorder under Listing 12.04.
Under listing 12.04, there are several prongs that must be met before you can be found disabled by the Social Security Administration.
First, if you have been diagnosed with depressive disorder, you must have medical documentation of at least five of the following: depressed mood; diminished interest in almost all activities; appetite change with a corresponding change in weight; sleep changes; observable psychomotor agitation or retardation; decreased energy; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; hard time concentrating or thinking; or suicidal ideations.
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must have medical documentation of at least three of the following: pressured speech; flight of ideas; inflated self-esteem; decreased need for sleep; easily distractible; taking part in activities with a high probability of painful consequences without realization of those consequences; or an increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation.
In addition, you must have an extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning: your ability to understand, remember, or apply information; your ability to interact with others; your ability to concentrate, persist, or maintain pace; or your ability to adapt or manage yourself.
If you do not have an extreme limitation of one or marked limitation of two of the above areas of mental functioning, you can still meet the listing if your condition is serious and persistent. This means that you have medical records (over the course of at least two years) that show you have either medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support, or a highly structured setting that minimizes your symptomatology and that you have minimal ability to adapt to changes in your environment.
I Don’t Meet the Listing!
If you do not meet the listing, you may still qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. To prove that you are disabled and unable to work, you will need medical evidence that shows the severity of your impairment. Social Security Disability Florida will need reliable medical evidence from your doctors to show them that your condition limits you and prevents you from working.
It is important that you keep a log of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have seen for your condition, including any inpatient stays or hospitalizations. It is also important that your doctors are supportive of your claim for benefits and properly document your condition in your medical records. One of the most common reasons for an SSDI or SSI denial (especially when it comes to mental health conditions) is a lack of supportive medical evidence.
If you do not meet the above listing (or any other listing), Social Security will consider your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC outlines your job restrictions and will be used to determine if you can go back to your past work. Your RFC is also used to determine whether there is other work available for you, based on your mental and physical limitations.
Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depressive disorder and it has impacted your ability to function on a daily basis, contact a local attorney today. An attorney can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.