The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that roughly one in four adults in the U.S. suffers from a diagnosed mental illness every year. While many of these diseases are easily treatable, others require extensive care and can limit an individual’s ability to maintain regular employment.
Receiving The Help You Need If You Are Unable To Work
Much like physical injuries and disabilities, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes a number of mental disorders as conditions that would qualify for receiving benefits. However, the SSA has strict guidelines for applicants who wish to receive support for a mental disorder.
Additionally, the SSA considers whether these limitations have lasted or are expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Recognized mental disorders that could make an individual eligible for benefits include:
How To Get Started
Most disability claims, including mental disorders, are first processed by local Social Security field offices and state agencies. If you receive an unfavorable determination of benefit, or if you are denied benefits altogether, an appeal may be reviewed by the administrative law judge in the subsequent appeals process.
This basic information should serve as a starting point, not an all-encompassing guide for your application and review. Many other factors including age, other health conditions, level of impairment and years worked can and often will affect the determination of benefits.
Because an application or an appeal can become a confusing maze of state and federal hearings, it’s important to leave the complicated legal preparation to professionals who thoroughly understand this process.
Contact An Attorney For Assistance
Our attorneys have years of experience handling these types of cases. Because each mental disorder requires different diagnosis and treatment, it is important to contact the thoughtful attorneys at the Disability Advantage Group, to learn more about an application or an appeal if you live in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area.
Contact the helpful, experienced lawyers at the Disability Advantage Group, to schedule a free consultation. Call 865-566-0800 to get the assistance you need.