SSDI FOR A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER?

The Social Security Act provides benefits for psychological impairments as well as physical impairments. In fact, about 20 percent of all disability claims are based on mental impairments. Getting a benefit depends on the severity of symptoms and on how the symptoms limit an individual's ability to function in a work environment. In most cases, Social Security must determine that the claimant is unable to perform even simple, unskilled work that requires no particular education, training or previous experience.

Winning a claim on the basis of psychological disorders usually requires:

1. Treatment by either a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist i.e., specialists);

2. Specific statements by the treating doctor concerning the claimant's work related restrictions.

3. Evidence that the claimant cannot perform even simple, unskilled jobs.

Claimants who have recently been hospitalized for exacerbation of symptoms are more likely to be approved. Those who have attained the age of 50 or over are more likely to be awarded.

Social Security considers mental impairments in 11 categories in Section 12 of the Blue Book:

1. Neurocognitive disorders (12.02)

2. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (12.03)

3. Depressive, bipolar and related disorders (12.04)

4. Intellectual disorders (12.05)

5. Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (12.06)

6. Somatic symptoms and related disorders (12.07)

7. Personality and impulse control disorders (12.08)

8. Autism Spectrum disorders (12.10)

9. Neurodevelopmental disorders (12.11)

10. Eating disorders (12.13)

11. Trauma and stressor-related disorders (12.15)

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