Living with an anxiety disorder can be debilitating, causing a person’s quality of life to suffer and their ability to take care of themselves to diminish. Many people who have severe anxiety related disorders struggle to maintain a living wage, personal relationships, remember important information, and suffer with various other impairments as a result of the disorder.
Can You Get Disability for Anxiety?
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you need to meet certain qualifications. You can get SSDI and SSI for anxiety disorders if you file for benefits under the Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders category in what is known as the Blue Book.
Listing 12.06 in the Blue Book is dedicated to qualifying mental impairments that fall under anxiety disorders, such as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), agoraphobia, and more. Within this listing you will find criteria that qualify an individual for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
In order to qualify under this category, the anxiety disorder in question must limit an individual’s mental and physical functioning, hindering their ability to work and take part in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
What is A Qualifying Anxiety Disorder?
If you’re wondering, “Can I get disability for anxiety?” and what conditions qualify a claimant for benefits, it’s important to understand the necessary requirements when filing.
Examples of anxiety disorders that are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Panic Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
These mental disorders and other anxiety disorders come with a number of ongoing symptoms, such as the following:
- Nausea
- Muscle Tension
- Uncontrolled Sweating
- Sleep Disturbance
- Increased Heart Rate
- Panic Attacks
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Memory Issues
- Irritability
- Inability to Function Outside of A Strictly Structured Environment
The difference between these mental health conditions and occasional anxiety is that disorder related symptoms do not subside and are quite difficult to manage. These disorders are characterized in the Blue Book by specific physical and mental symptoms of anxiety that inhibit an individual’s ability to work and live a normal life.
How to File for SSDI or SSI with An Anxiety Disorder/OCD
You can get disability payments for anxiety disorders listed in the Blue Book by meeting the provided criteria. When applying for SSDI for anxiety, it’s important to remember that the conditions listed under section 12.06 are examples of what many people with these disorders deal with on a daily basis.
If you are filing for SSDI, your disorder must be expected to last for at least 12 months, limit you from partaking in work-related and social activities, and you must have been diagnosed with the disorder at least 12 months prior to applying.
When you apply for SSDI or SSI, you must file an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). These applications involve providing information regarding your health history and medical records, such as evidence of medical treatments/psychosocial support/highly structured environments/etc. that help diminish your symptoms, and other supporting evidence of your disorder and its severity.
Can I Get SSI for Anxiety and/or Depression?
Applying for Supplemental Security Income is typically more difficult than applying for SSDI. If you are filing for SSI for an anxiety disorder, it means you cannot qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. SSI is reserved for individuals who have limited resources and income, and have not worked long enough to pay into SSDI and therefore cannot receive Social Security Disability benefits.
In order to qualify for SSI with an anxiety disorder, you must meet the same requirements in the Blue Book as you would if you were filing for SSDI. You must also provide the same supporting documentation and medical evidence to back up your claim.
Contact Our Qualified SSDI Attorneys Today
At Ortega Disability Group, we make filing for SSI and SSDI for depression and/or anxiety simple. Our experienced disability lawyers in Oakland know how to address the important details that go into filing a successful claim with the Social Security Administration. Additionally, with our help, you won’t find yourself making mistakes on your application or providing the wrong documentation. We will help guide you through every step of the process.
Most initial disability claims are denied, so contact our Social Security Disability attorneys in Oakland, CA today to request a free consultation and increase your chances of getting the benefits you need as soon as possible.
