The Social Security Administration provides disability benefits to individuals who suffer from disabilities that prevent them from securing gainful employment. These disabilities can be physical or mental. Georgia residents who wish to pursue disability benefits for mental illnesses and impairments may find the following post helpful, though those who plan to submit applications to the Social Security Administration are encouraged to seek assistance with their pending claims.
The Social Security Administration’s ‘blue book’ of disabilities includes a list of mental impairments that may qualify a person for disability benefits. Those impairments include, but are not limited to, disabilities such as depression, autism disorders, anxiety and mental retardation. Any disability listed must be of a significant level so that it keeps the applicant out of work for at least a full year.
A person who applies for disability benefits based on a mental impairment generally must submit evidence of the ailment or may be required to submit to evaluations to determine the level of impairment. Assessments of this nature determine a person’s residual functional capacity, otherwise known as the ability to perform work despite the disability. If a person’s residual functional capacity is not sufficiently low, then he or she may not be awarded benefits.
The process of applying for and receiving disability benefits for a mental illness or impairment can be complex, and many applicants benefit from working with Social Security disability attorneys. Lawyers who practice in this field can provide their clients with useful advice on how to prepare their applications, respond to requests for information, and pursue appeals in the event that their applications are denied. They can also be good resources for those who wish to learn more about Social Security disability benefits in general, and can be consulted to learn more about specific cases.
