Can Anxiety and Depression Get You Disability Benefits?

Everyone gets a downhearted feeling sometimes, and everyone gets anxious from time to time. But for some people, these feelings can get so bad that they become debilitating. That’s when they are diagnosed with clinical anxiety or clinical depression. In fact, over 40 million Americans are diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression every year. And when clinical anxiety or depression becomes chronic, it can even interfere with your ability to work.

But what if it gets so bad that you can’t work at all? Now you’ve lost your income, lost part of your community and your sense of self. This can sometimes even make anxiety and depression worse, so now what should someone in this situation do? Luckily, it is possible to sometimes replace a portion of your lost income with disability benefits.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

People with Anxiety and/or Depression that meet the Social Security definition of disability may be able to get SSDI. If they can no longer work as a result of Anxiety/Depression, SSDI is a possibility for W-2 employees who’ve worked and made more than about $6,000 per year for 5 out of the last 10 years, and self-employed people who’ve paid Self-Employment taxes on more than $6,000 per year for 5 out of the last 10 years. The maximum SSDI monthly payment is $3,652 but the average payment is far less, around $1,600 per month.

In order to get SSDI someone must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. In short, someone must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for 12 months or more (unless suffering from a terminal illness) due to a severe medical condition. What does this mean? Basically, your anxiety and/or depression must stop you from working ANY job in the national economy. So, for example, if you experience disabling PTSD only when you do your job as a teacher but can still work as a cashier then you are probably not disabled. You don’t have to be continuously disabled for 12 months before you file, as long as you are expected to be disabled for 12 months or more. So, for example, if you can’t work for 6 months and things aren’t getting better then you should file for SSDI. If you think you may qualify for benefits and want a free consultation, contact Washington DC – Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyer Emmett Irwin.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is Social Security’s disability program for people who are impoverished. Read this article to review the differences between SSI and SSDI. In summary, they both have the same 5-step process to determine disability; and anxiety/depression, if severe enough, can certainly meet that 5-step process. If you have questions about SSI, contact Washington DC – Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyer Emmett Irwin by clicking here.

Addiction, Anxiety/Depression and Disability Through Social Security

Addiction by itself is not a disability under the Social Security rules! In fact, untreated addiction can torpedo a disability claim if SSA determines that your anxiety and/or depression would improve without the use of drugs and/or alcohol. It’s very important, therefore, to get treatment for drug/alcohol abuse before or during your claim for SSDI/SSI. Again, contact us if you have any questions or need representation for your case.