Step 1: Confirm Your Mental Health Diagnosis

Qualifying disorders generally include:

• Chronic conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders.
• Evidence from licensed mental health professionals documenting severity.
• Symptoms that significantly impair daily functions and work-related activities.

Step 2: Meet the SSA’s Duration Requirement

Your condition must:

• Persist for at least 12 months or be expected to continue indefinitely.
• Include updated medical treatment records and ongoing management.
• Show functional limitations established through clinical assessment.

Step 3: Fulfill Work History and Credit Standards

Eligibility is dependent on:

• Sufficient work credits earned through Social Security taxes.
• Credits needed vary based on your age at disability onset.
• Generally, 20 credits earned within the 10 years before becoming disabled.

Step 4: SSA’s Disability Evaluation Process

During evaluation, the SSA will:

• Review clinical documentation of your mental illness and limitations.
• Assess your ability to perform work-related activities including concentration, persistence, and social interaction.
• Determine if you can adapt to other work roles given your residual functional capacity.

Common Reasons for Denial

Applicants often face denial due to:

• Insufficient or outdated medical evidence lacking detail on impairment.
• Conditions not severe enough to prevent all substantial gainful activity.
• Failure to comply with SSA examinations or requested documentation.
• Not meeting required work credits due to employment history gaps.