There is stigma and misinformation attached to mental health issues in the United States. Many people do not understand mental illness or how a severe mental health condition could impact your ability to work or obtain Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes a variety of mental health conditions as having the potential to impact someone’s ability to support themself. If one of those disorders is preventing you from working, then you should consider filing a mental disability SSDI claim in Kansas City.
A local SSA office will handle processing your SSDI claim, but the standards to qualify for SSDI are national. An experienced SSDI attorney can guide you through this complex process, ensuring that your claim is properly prepared and presented. Call our law office today to learn more.
The SSA Blue Book—also known as the Listing of Impairments—contains a list of conditions that may qualify for SSDI benefits. There are categories of qualifying mental health disorders that can help someone determine whether they will qualify for benefits, including the following:
To qualify for SSDI benefits for a mental disorder, your mental illness has to impose functional limitations that prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity. These limitations could include difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or trouble with social interactions. Mental health limitations may be specific to a category.
SSDI clams involving mental health impairments can be challenging. A Kansas City attorney can help you identify whether your mental condition is eligible for SSDI.
By understanding why the SSA frequently denies SSDI applications, you can reduce the risk that they will deny your claim.
One of the main problems is the lack of a diagnosis and exam findings by a specialist. General practitioners can treat common mental health disorders, but working with specialists (such as a psychiatrist and a therapist) increases the likelihood of the SSA taking your mental health condition more seriously.
The treatment history and supporting evidence need to be well-established. One of the most challenging issues is compliance, which means following the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider.
Non-compliance with recommended treatments can lead to denial of the claim, but non-compliance is also common with many mental health disorders. A Kansas City lawyer can help determine why an SSDI claim for mental disability was denied.
With the right legal assistance, you can navigate the complexities of mental disability SSDI claims in Kansas City and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Schedule a consultation with an experienced Social Security disability attorney to learn more about your options.