SSDI and Mental Illness: A Common Disability Issue
If you experience a mental health problem that keeps you from doing your job, you may want to consider Social Security Disability, or SSDI. Here’s what you need to know about SSDI and mental illness.
How Mental Illness Affects Work Options
Because the stigma of mental illness has changed significantly over the last few decades, it’s much more prevalent today for people to discover they have a problem and get treated.
But sadly, changes in employment make it harder for those Americans with psychiatric problems to find a steady job. Repetitive, simple tasks in factories and shipping centers once helped provide work for people who struggle with mental instability. However, with a loss of the manufacturing sector in the United States, such jobs are now rare and much more competitive.
Job applications often ask about psychiatric history. And they don’t make any distinction between something like debilitating schizophrenia and a mild anxiety disorder that’s well under control.
As a result, even people with mental illness who want to work can have a very hard time finding employment.
Applying for SSDI When You Have Mental Illness
When a mental illness keeps you from working for whatever reason, you may want to consider Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This is an insurance program through the US government that can help cover some of your lost income. Mental illness is one of the most common injuries covered by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
The application for SSDI—which you can find here—will require you to submit medical records to prove your disability. You also provide information about your work history, education, and other factors.
The process can be frustrating, because the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t always accept your request the first time around. Even with all the work required of you, they deny applications all the time.
When that happens, you have a short window to appeal. That’s when you need an SSDI lawyer.
Memphis SSDI Attorney for Your Appeal
Our Memphis SSDI lawyers work with you on your appeal. Our job is to make sure we fill in any holes the SSA may have used as an excuse to deny you. We help put together the strongest application possible; and we don’t get paid unless you do.
If you’ve applied for SSDI because of a mental illness but were denied, contact us today to talk with an attorney for free and get started with your appeal. Just call 901-327-2100 or fill out the form below.