A disabling mental condition, as many Bremen residents can attest, can be as much a barrier to employment as a physical one. Indeed, sometimes it may prove even more of a barrier, as workplaces are often able (and even required) to offer accommodations for physical disabilities to a greater extent than they are for mental health issues.
When a mental condition prevents someone from being able to work, they may wonder: is Social Security Disability an option? If so, what kinds of conditions are covered, and how are they assessed? We’ll spend some time answering these questions, with the understanding that the information is general in nature, and not intended as specific legal advice.
First of all, to the overall question of whether one can claim SSD benefits for a mental health condition, the answer is absolutely yes. In fact, the Social Security Administration has a list of conditions that potentially qualify those affected by them for benefits. These range from relatively common problems like anxiety and depression to more serious, rarer conditions like schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders and many others are also listed as impairments that prevent people from being able to work and support themselves.
Bremen residents who suffer from mental health impairments not explicitly listed may still file a claim for benefits. The SSA will consider whether the condition described is something preventing the applicant from working, and whether it will likely persist for a period of one year or more. A legal professional can help applicants demonstrate these qualifications to the SSA and even appeal a denied application if necessary.
Source: FindLaw, “Mental Health Disability Claims,” accessed on Feb. 2, 2018
