Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are an earned benefit, rather than an entitlement program. Professionals make contributions to the Social Security Administration (SSA) through their paychecks or quarterly estimated tax payments if they are self-employed professionals.
Those contributions help fund both retirement benefits and disability programs. Those with adequate work history who can no longer maintain their employment due to medical challenges might be eligible for SSDI benefits.
The SSA reviews each application on its own merits and also maintains a relatively thorough list of qualifying conditions and symptoms. Can people with significant mental health challenges potentially obtain SSDI benefits?
Mental health challenges can be debilitating
The SSA recognizes dozens of different medical conditions that fall into a variety of different categories. People with musculoskeletal conditions or autoimmune disorders may be eligible for SSDI benefits.
There are also clear standards for reviewing applications based on mental disorders. Generally speaking, the condition must be severe enough to prevent a professional from maintaining any form of gainful employment. Additionally, the condition must last for 12 months or longer.
Mental health issues serious enough to warrant involuntary hospitalization or interfere in a person’s understanding of reality may be significant enough to qualify for SSDI benefits. Even severe cases of more common conditions, such as bipolar disorder, may the significant enough to allow people to qualify for SSDI benefits.
Reviewing medical records with a skilled legal team can help people determine whether their mental health challenges are serious enough to justify an SSDI benefits application. People struggling with major mental health challenges who cannot work may require support while applying for benefits or appealing, and that’s okay.
