Help Applying for Disability Benefits with a Mental Illness

It is certainly good to know that there is help for individuals who may not be able to work. When the term disability insurance is mentioned, it is common to associate these words with physical limitations. However, it is also quite common to obtain benefits because of a serious mental health issue that impedes the ability to work. In fact, the Blue Book used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) highlights nine specific disorders that qualify for disability benefits, although there is a vast amount of additional qualifying disorders.

The Nine Disorders Recognized by the SSA

Affective Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Autism and Disorders Related to Autism

Mental Retardation

Organic Mental Disorders

Personality Disorders

Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

Somatoform Disorders, and

Substance Addiction

Some of these disorders may seem to cover a broad range of illness, but each one comes with a specific set of criteria that must be met in order to qualify an individual for benefits. Each and every facet must match the criteria, and a person must prove that their illness entirely hinders their ability to engage in gainful employment.

It is absolutely vital that an individual is seeking treatment for their disorder while attempting to claim benefits. Because of the very nature of most mental disorders, claiming can be terribly difficult, and it becomes imperative to hire a skilled Philadelphia disability insurance lawyer to ease the process. The complications involved are excruciatingly intricate, and a highly skilled attorney knows exactly where to begin.

Obtaining Representation to File for Benefits

There are several other disorders that will qualify a person for disability benefits, and they are laid out in the SSA’s Blue Book and detailed thoroughly. Nevertheless, it can be quite tiresome to traverse the lengthy, complicated pages to see if you meet the specific requirements. This can be a painful process for someone of sound mind let alone someone who is suffering from a mental disorder. Hiring a qualified attorney who is knowledgeable in all areas of disability insurance should be your first step if you believe you qualify.

The most important reason for hiring a disability insurance lawyer is not only because of the complicated application process, which can take weeks alone but also because most claims are initially denied. Fortunately, you can rest assured that your denial is quite common, and there will be at least three chances to appeal. However, appealing a denial by yourself is a very difficult road, and you will greatly increase your chances of another denial without representation.

At Edelstein, Martin & Nelson, we are highly familiar with each and every portion of the process. We understand the likelihood of a denial, and we know exactly how to help you go about filing a successful appeal. Our experienced and professional attorneys realize that the process is not easy, and the SSA does not like to hand out benefits to anybody. While we can appreciate their reasons, we understand the difficulty that people with serious mental problems are dealing with. We take it upon ourselves to help the mentally disabled acquire the help and compensation that they need. If you or a loved one are suffering from a mental disorder and are unable to work, please contact us at 800-300-0909 or 215-731-9900 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/

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