The social security administration ssa provides a list of mental illnesses and disorders that potentially qualify for benefits in its blue book. Examples of disorders that we evaluate in this category include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and obsessivecompulsive disorder. The social security blue book listing of impairments. Ssdi and mental disorders social security disability. The social security disability guidebook evaluates the severity requirements needed to be approved for disability on the basis of bipolar disorder under mental impairment listing 12. The listing requires that an individual have a history of episodic periods, documented by the full symptomatic range of both manic and depressive syndrome symptoms. Organic mental disorders are covered under section 12.
The social security administration ssa did not historically consider dyslexia severe enough a disability to fall under its strict blue book guidelines. The social security administrations mental disorders listings if you have a disability that is listed in the ssas blue book of disabilities, it may be easier to qualify for disability. Jan dils attorneys at law has the experience and expertise needed to get their clients approved for social security benefits for mental illness. Are mental illnesses eligible for disability benefits. The social security blue book is an essential reference for people who are trying to qualify for benefits under the social security disability insurance ssdi or supplemental security income ssi programs. When an individual applies for social security disability benefits, the disability examiner will refer to a published listing of impairments known as the social security blue book. In 2017, however, social security added learning disabilities to. Mental disorders and social security disability the blue book is used by the social security administration to establish guidelines for which conditions qualify a claimant for social security disability benefits.
What mental health symptoms get you approved for social. Illinois social security disability lawyers mental. The social security administration s mental disorders listings neurocognitive disorders. Revisions to rules regarding the evaluation of medical evidence. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 this edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. Mental impairments maine social security disability lawyer. This edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue.
The blue book is used by the social security administration to establish guidelines for which conditions qualify a claimant for social security disability benefits. Getting approved for social security benefits for mental illness is one of the hardest disability benefits to get approved for. Understanding ssas mental disorder listings is critical to successful ssissdi applications. Both of these programs provide regular payments to people who are unable to work, and the social security administrationin cooperation. The blue book is used by the social security administration to establish guidelines for which conditions qualify a. Social security disability benefits for dyslexia nolo. Book, has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health. Social securitys medical listing for mental disorders. The term mental disorders is a broad classification and there are over 100 physical and mental impairments in the social security blue book that qualify for disability as long as certain listed criteria.
There are certain disorders involving your mental health that can qualify you for disability. This section addresses of the blue book addresses the claimants loss of function, inability to function effectively and what. However, migraine can be symptoms of other health problems that are listed in the blue book. Endocrine disorders, multiple body systems, neurological, mental disorders. To meet these listings, the applicant must meet the criteria outlined in parts a and b or.
Social security disability insurance benefits ssdi to qualify for ssdi, you must have an impairment that prevents you from working for at least 12 months and you must have worked and paid into the social security program payroll taxes or fica for at least five of the last ten years. Organic mental disorders and social security disability. Social security disability list of impairments disabilitysecrets. The social security blue book listing of impairments alllaw. The following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of. With no work and no steady source of income thousands of people turn to the social security administration to apply for benefits. In the blue book are lists with the qualifying criteria for conditions that claimants applying for disability benefits may be. Listing of impairments adult listings part a social security. Ssdi and mental disorders by of midwest disability, p.
These lists are not terribly easy to read or understand. If you are applying for disability benefits with the social security administration ssa, you may qualify on the basis of medical evidence alone if you are not working and you have an impairment that is as medically severe as an impairment listed in the ssas listing of. Mental disorders listings social security disability. If youre going through the process alone its next to impossible. It covers a lot of the recommended medical evidence, as well, and it can be extremely helpful. On september 26, 2016 the social security administration ssa published new rules updating how they will evaluate mental disorders, which will go into effect on january 17, 2017. These disorders include various forms of dementia, progressive brain tumor, parkinsonian syndrome, huntington disease and other disorders that are characterized by a clinically significant decline in cognitive functioning. Mental illness is a common reason for people to receive social security disability benefits in fact, more than a third of all recipients of social security disability insurance in recent years qualified because of mental disorders, according to. Social security offers two programs for those seeking benefits in conjunction with their mental and physical disabilities. The blue book of disability and mental disorders outlines conditions from a listing of impairments under a mental disorder subheading. In the social security disability blue book, sleep related disorders are evaluated under chronic cor pulmonale or organic mental disorders.
You can also find the listings on ssas website here. If a claimants medical records provide the information designated for a specific listing for example, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, or a disorder of the. The social security administration developed the blue book to establish rules and guidelines for representatives to use while deciding if a certain condition qualifies for disability benefits. Anxiety and social security administration disability. The social security blue book is a guide of impairments that the social security administration ssa considers to be disabling enough to qualify for benefits.
Social security has three special lists of conditions and impairments. Formally known as disability evaluation under social security, the social security blue book is the social security administrations official listing of disabling impairments as they relate to applying for and being awarded social security disability, or ssd. The listings are the approval criteria for a number of physical and mental impairments. The blue book is a listing of impairments that qualify for disability benefits when they are severe. Neurocognitive disorders these disorders include various forms of dementia, progressive brain tumor, parkinsonian syndrome, huntington disease and other disorders that are characterized by a clinically significant decline in cognitive functioning. Social security uses the list of impairments, also called the blue book as part. The blue book listing of impairments, the social security rulings, and the compassionate allowance list. All of the conditions that qualify for social security disability benefits are listed in the social security administrations blue book, and there is no official listing for migraine disease. Cor pulmonale sleep apnea can cause an enlarged right heart ventricle due to hypertension in the pulmonary. With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits. There are nine categories of mental disorders outlined in the blue book, although other. However, some of our readers have found these lists to be a useful tool to help them get. The social security administration ssa uses the blue book to determine whether someone has a disability that prevents them from working.
There are 11 categories of mental disorders included in section 12. When you have a disability that is listed in the blue book, you have cleared a major hurdle in gaining approval. How to apply for disability benefits with a mental disorder. To meet a listing the ssa is first looking for medical evidence of the disorder. We can help you determine whether your illness so limits your ability to work that you qualify for benefits. The social security administration established guidelines for which conditions qualify a claimant for social security disability benefits. The social security administrations listing of disabling conditions that can qualify disability benefits is known as the blue book. There has been some discussion recently about the legitimacy of applying for social security disability insurance ssdi with. How someone with chronic migraine can qualify for social. If your neurological disorder results in only mental impairment or if you have a. Social security does have a disability handbook known as the blue book formally, the disability evaluation under social security handbook, which contains criteria for various mental disorders to be considered disabilities, such as organic mental disorders, schizophrenia, mental retardation, anxietyrelated disorders, somatoform disorders, affective disorders which include depression and bipolar disorder, substance addiction disorders, and autism and other pervasive developmental. The blue books official title is disability evaluation under social security, and it contains a wealth of information about disabling impairments and the ssas criteria to help those applying for benefits. Qualifying for disability benefits for a listed impairment. Meeting a listing in the ssa blue book for anxiety disorders anxiety is a listed disorder found in the social security administration s listing of impairments under 12.
How can i obtain a copy of the social security blue book. Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems 11. If you are considering filing for social security disability benefits, consider the following. The social security administration ssa publishes a list of impairments, titled disability evaluation under social security. The evaluation of disability on the basis of mental disorders requires documentation of a medically determinable impairments, consideration of the degree of limitation such impairments may impose on the individuals ability to work, and consideration of whether these limitations have lasted or are expected to last for. How the social security blue book of impairments can.
While the core factor in determining whether you qualify for disability is your inability to work because of your conditions severity. Mental illness and social security disability disabilitysecrets. The disability listings in the blue book contain medical conditions that social security recognizes as inherently disabling. The social security blue book listing of impairments the blue book covers both physical and mental impairments, and it discusses many serious diseases that can be disabling. This category does not include the mental disorders that we evaluate under trauma and stressorrelated disorders 12. How to use the blue book to get approved for disability. The social security blue book provides information regarding what mental disorders qualify for social security disability. These categories and the basic requirements for each category are as follows. The blue book covers both physical and mental impairments, and it discusses many serious diseases that can be disabling. Mental disorders recognized by social security disability. The social securitys blue book includes listings for a variety of mental illnesses, including. Section 12 of the blue book deals with mental disorders, detailing which types of mental disorders can qualify you for benefits, and under what circumstances. It provides a baseline for disordersboth physical and mentalthat the ssa feels will inhibit a persons ability to work, and consequently create the need for disability assistance. There are nine categories of mental disorders covered in the blue book.
What mental disorders are included in the social security. The social security administration uses the blue book as a guide to help them determine a person is eligible for disabled. The social security administration ssa publishes a listing of impairments, also known as the blue book, which includes mental impairments. In attempting to evaluate a condition, a disability examiner will first refer to social securitys official listing of impairments, often referred to as the blue book. The listing of impairments is used to evaluate the severity of an applicants mental disorder. Mental disorders eligible for social security disability. If you have a mental impairment and are planning to apply for disability benefits, then you can look through the ssa blue book to find out if your mental impairment qualifies. Part a for adults age 18 and over and part b for children under age 18 each have 14 categories of disability listings. Listing of impairments overview disability claims process video series. Social security benefits for mental illness ssi help. The blue book is located online at the ssas website, and it can be.
The social security blue book uses 11 categories to list qualifying mental disorders. Ssa revises criteria for evaluating mental disorders. Sleep apnea and social security disability disability. Your eligibility for ssdi benefits depends on the type and severity of your illness. Individuals with a wide range of mental illnesses or conditions are eligible for benefits under social security rules. Formally, the blue book is titled disability evaluation under social security.
486 710 1336 780 1021 1565 318 874 1461 366 1482 911 588 565 217 1295 582 921 629 324 902 1542 103 118 1259 466 697 1355 38 1090 1551 1096 87 677 708 178 140 172 642 1149 832 1 786 586 1281 777 249 949