Many people ask us “Can you get disability for depression?” The answer is yes. You can qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits due to depression if your condition prevents you from working. However, you must be able to prove the severity of your condition and how it limits your work capabilities.
Is Depression Considered a Disability?
Depression is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes clinical depression as a serious medical condition that can prevent people from maintaining long-term employment.
You can only get Social Security Disability benefits if your condition prevents you from working. This means your disability must:
- Prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
- Be expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death)
- Meet qualifying medical criteria
The SSA understands that depression is a mental disability that comes with many debilitating symptoms. When filing a claim, it’s crucial to provide both medical and non-medical evidence to show how your mental illness affects your daily life.
How To Qualify for Disability Benefits With Depression
General Requirements for Disability Benefits
To receive claim approval, you must demonstrate how your depression prevents you from performing SGA. You must be unable to perform previous forms of work and adjust to other types of work.
The evidence you provide must satisfy the medical criteria in the Blue Book, as well. You must also meet the general requirements for the disability benefits program you’re applying for.
Can You Get SSDI or SSI for Depression?
Two main programs provide disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you’re asking, “Can you get SSDI for depression?” or “Can you get SSI for depression?” — the answer to both is yes, provided you meet eligibility criteria.
SSDI is available to disabled workers who have earned work credits through their employment history. SSI is needs-based and only available to people with limited income and resources. To qualify for SSI, you must be disabled or aged (65 or older).
Meeting the Blue Book Criteria for Depression
The SSA references the Blue Book when reviewing disability claims, a guide of SSD-qualifying disabilities. It lists specific criteria for depression under section 12.04.
To qualify for benefits with this condition, you must show medical documentation of five or more of these symptoms:
- Depressed mood
- Decreased interest in most activities
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Sleep disturbances
- Observable psychomotor agitation or impairment
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Additionally, you must prove that your condition causes extreme limitation in one, or marked limitation in two, of the following areas:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
If your condition does not satisfy the second set of criteria, you can qualify by meeting the first set plus the following:
- Your disorder is considered “serious and persistent” and there is evidence of both:
- Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support(s), or a highly structured setting that lessens symptoms
- Low capacity to adjust to changes in your environment or to new demands
If your disability doesn’t meet the medical criteria in the Blue Book, don’t lose hope. If you’re still unable to work due to your condition, you may be eligible for a Medical-Vocational Allowance.
Qualifying Through a Medical-Vocational Allowance
Claimants who don’t meet exact Blue Book criteria can sometimes qualify for SSD through a Medical-Vocational Allowance. This considers how your depression affects your ability to work, along with factors like your age, education, work experience, and other medical conditions you may have.
How Depression Impacts Your Ability To Work
Severe depression is a disability that can stop you from maintaining gainful employment in many ways. People with clinical depression often struggle with:
- Getting out of bed and maintaining a regular schedule
- Concentrating on tasks or remembering important information
- Interacting with coworkers and supervisors
- Managing workplace stress and pressure
- Making decisions or solving problems
- Maintaining attendance due to bad days or medication side effects
Depression can also cause physical symptoms that interfere with work, such as fatigue, chronic pain, headaches, and digestive issues. The combination of mental and physical symptoms can make maintaining full-time employment near impossible.
Required Evidence for Your Disability Claim
Providing thorough medical evidence is crucial for your claim. Your application needs detailed records from mental health professionals documenting your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment history. This can include:
- Records from psychiatrists and therapists
- Prescribed medications and their effects
- Hospitalizations or intensive outpatient treatment
- Mental status examination results
The more comprehensive your medical documentation, the stronger your claim will be. It’s also important to show how your symptoms affect your daily life. This can include supporting evidence in the form of statements from family, friends, coworkers, etc.
Contact Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC
Proving disability due to depression can be particularly challenging. Mental health conditions can be more difficult to document than physical impairments, and many initial claims are denied.
Our experienced disability attorneys understand how to:
- Present your depression symptoms properly to the SSA
- Gather and organize the right medical evidence
- Work with your healthcare providers to document your limitations
- Guide you through the entire disability claims process
We serve clients throughout Tennessee and areas in North Carolina who are struggling with depression and other mental disorders. Our team understands the challenges you face and will treat your case with the compassion and attention it deserves.
Don’t struggle with the disability application process alone. Contact Drozdowski & Rabin today for a free consultation about your depression disability claim. Our experienced team will evaluate your case and help you understand your options for securing the benefits you need.
