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Anxiety and depression can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits when the symptoms significantly interfere with a person’s ability to maintain reliable full-time work. Conditions such as panic attacks, chronic anxiety, severe depression, difficulty concentrating, emotional instability, and problems handling stress or interacting with others can create serious vocational limitations even when the condition is not outwardly visible. Social Security evaluates not only the diagnosis itself, but also how the symptoms affect daily functioning, attendance, concentration, and the ability to sustain consistent employment. Strong disability claims often include psychiatric treatment records, therapy notes, medication history, and evidence showing how mental health symptoms prevent ongoing work activity.

Many people are surprised to learn that Social Security Disability claims often become easier to win after age 50 because Social Security applies more favorable vocational rules known as the “grid rules.” These rules recognize that older workers may have a harder time transitioning into new types of employment after developing serious medical conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, back problems, heart disease, depression, or anxiety. Even individuals who are still capable of some limited activity may qualify for SSDI if their health problems prevent them from maintaining reliable full-time work. Factors such as work history, transferable skills, medical evidence, and age all play an important role in determining eligibility, and many applicants who were previously denied may have much stronger cases after turning 50.

What to do about an Overpayment assessment from Social Security

Here is some great information concerning child SSI that SSA posted today and that I would like to share: SSA's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program helps children with qualifying disabilities and their families. For this program, a child must meet all of the following requirements to be...

Today I received this question: "How do I prepare for a hearing in front of an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge)? I applied for SSI in October 2016 for PTSD, Schizoaffective, and borderline personality. I am waiting for a hearing date. I have therapist records as well as records from my medicat...

Today, I received a pretty common inquiry from a person who has filed an application for both SSI and SSDI disability benefits, Here is how I responded: To answer your question,  as with so much in life, there are both pro's and con's.  I will start with the pro's: personally, I always like to be...

This is perhaps the most fundamental question a client will ask me. The conversation usually starts something like this: "My doctor says I'm disabled! How could Social Security deny my claim?" Well, to begin at the beginning: first of all, just because a doctor says a person is "disabled" does...