If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Social Security Listing 12.06
Social Security Administration considers claimants who are diagnosed with anxiety disorder or OCD under Listing 12.06.
Under listing 12.06, there are a few different avenues a case can travel to be approved by the Social Security Administration.
No matter what, to meet listing 12.06, you must have one of the following:
- Anxiety disorder, characterized by at least three of the following: restlessness, easily fatigued, hard time concentrating, increased irritability, muscle tension, or difficulty sleeping.
- Panic disorder or agoraphobia with either: panic attacks followed by an ongoing worry about more panic attacks or their consequences or a disproportionate fear or anxiety about at least two different situations (such as being around others, using public transportation, being outside of your home, etc).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder with either involuntary and time-consuming preoccupation with intrusive and unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors focused on reducing your anxiety.
In addition to meeting one of the above criteria, 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 an anxiety disorder or OCD and have difficulty working full-time, contact a local attorney today. An attorney can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.