Social Security Disability for Mental Health Conditions: Special Considerations

Social Security Disability (SSDI) is designed to help support individuals with disabilities. These disabilities include both mental and physical disorders that may keep you from working, whether to support yourself or a child with disabilities. Here are the considerations to keep in mind as you move through the system.

Categories of Mental Disorders Eligible for SSDI

There are 23 categories of mental disorders per the Social Security Administration: 11 for adults and 12 for children. They include:

• Adults
  • Neurocognitive disorders
  • Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
  • Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders
  • Intellectual disorders
  • Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Somatic and related disorders
  • Personality and impulse-control disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Trauma and stress-related disorders

• Children

• • Neurocognitive disorders
  • Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
  • Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders
  • Intellectual disorders
  • Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Somatic and related disorders
  • Personality and impulse-control disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Developmental disorders in infants and toddlers
  • Trauma and stress-related disorders

What Evidence Do I Need to Qualify for SSDI?

Each mental disorder may have specialized requirements for evidence, but in general, all mental disorders require you to present:

• Objective medical evidence, including the severity of the disorder and its effects on your ability to work (for adults) or function age-appropriately (for children).
• Evidence from medical sources must include:
  • Reported symptoms
  • Medical, psychiatric, psychological, and developmental (for children) history
  • Exam and testing results
  • An official diagnosis or diagnoses
  • Any therapy received
  • Side effects of medication or other treatments
  • Expected duration of symptoms and future prognosis
• You may present evidence on your own behalf regarding any of the above. Note that this is not a substitute for medical evidence.
• Evidence from school (children), early intervention programs (children), work (adults), or vocational training programs (adults).

We strongly recommend visiting SSA.gov for a complete list of evidence you must present with your SSDI application.

How Does SSDI for Mental Disorders Differ From Physical Disorders?

It doesn’t. The SSA does not distinguish between mental and physical disabilities when determining eligibility for SSDI.

Call Lipsey & Clifford For Help

Lipsey & Clifford Attorneys at Law understands disability law and Social Security better than anyone else in Massachusetts. Call us today at 1-800-466-3130 or email for a free consultation on how we can help you navigate the system of benefits.