Social Security Lawyer
SSD Mental Disorders
For the purpose of SSD benefits eligibility, the Social Security Administration (SSA) classifies numerous mental conditions as disabling. In order to evaluate each particular applicant's situation, the SSA requires documentation with elaborate details of the impairments, as well as how they affect the person's ability to work and hold gainful employment and whether the condition has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of 12 months or more.
The nine categories the SSA classifies as mental disorders eligible for SSD are:
- Affective disorders
- Anxiety-related disorders
- Autistic disorder and other developmental disorders
- Mental retardation
- Organic mental disorders
- Personality disorders
- Schizophrenic, paranoid and other psychotic disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Substance addiction disorders
In all cases, the afflictions must be severe to qualify. The SSA quantifies severity by the practical restrictions caused by an applicant's mental condition, and they assess those restrictions by deficits in the following four categories:
- Activities of daily living
- Concentration, persistence, or pace
- Episodes of decompensation
- Social functioning
Activities of Daily Living
Some of these activities as assessed by the SSA for benefits include maintaining a residence, shopping, cleaning, paying bills, cooking, taking public transportation, appropriate hygiene and grooming, using telephones and telephone directories, and visiting the post office. In the context of each circumstance, the SSA evaluates the quality of these activities by their "independence, appropriateness, effectiveness, and sustainability."
Social Functioning
This category relates to an applicant's ability to interact and communicate appropriately, effectively, independently, and on an ongoing basis with others, including family members, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. Problems with social functioning by may be evidenced by repeated patterns of altercations, evictions, firings, fear of strangers, avoidance of personal relationships, or isolation.
Concentration, Persistence, or Pace
This refers to the ability to maintain adequate attention and concentration for long enough to complete necessary tasks in a professional work environment, in addition to personal settings.
Episodes of Decompensation
These are transient increases or inflammations of the symptoms of a particular condition, as evidenced by medical records.
More on Medical Evidence
The SSA will seek the following information from SSD applicants with mental disorders seeking benefits:
- The applicant's own description of their physical or mental condition, detailing its affect on daily life and inability to work.
- Medically documented proof by professional sources of psychological abnormalities, such as behavior, mood, thought, memory, orientation, development, or perception irregularities.
- Medical information should include names of physicians, their addresses, and the dates of treatment. Be sure this information is complete or it could add a significant amount of time to the application process.
- A specific medical evaluation in person may be required as part of the application process.
For the full list of conditions and circumstances that qualify individuals to receive Social Security Disability benefits (SSD), visit their website at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/listing-impairments.htm.
Experienced Legal Counsel and Representation
For sound and vigilant console throughout the entire process of applying for SSD benefits, contact the disability lawyers at Page Law. If you need help with your SSD application, or if you have questions regarding the process and whether or not you or a loved one qualifies, call Page Law today at (314) PAGE-LAW (724-3529).
