You can apply for disability benefits if you have depression.
Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance can be used to get disability benefits from the federal government if you no longer work due to depression.SSI benefits are based on income and assets.Depending on how long you worked and how much you contributed to the Social Security trust fund, your eligibility for SSDI depends.
Step 1: Your income and work history should be looked at.
Income and assets must be below a certain threshold to be eligible for SSI.To be eligible for SSDI, you have to have earned a certain number of work credits.Income for SSI includes wages, rental income, and investment income.Worker's compensation and other benefits are included in your income.
Step 2: The Federal Benefit Rate is what your household's income is.
In order to be eligible for SSI disability benefits, your income must fall below the FBR, which was $733 a month for individuals or $1100 for couples in 2015.Everyone's income is considered, not just yours.
Step 3: Take care of your assets.
SSI allows a single person to have $2,000 in resources, while a couple can have up to $3,000.Land, vehicles, stocks and bonds are some of the resources that can be converted to cash.You can exclude the house you live in and the land it sits on, as well as one vehicle.The claims representative has all the information she needs to assess your qualifications if everything else is listed and appraised.
Step 4: If you have earned enough work credits, you should be able to get disability benefits.
To be eligible for SSDI, you have to pass two tests.These tests show you've worked hard enough to contribute money to the Social Security system.A maximum of four work credits can be earned each year.If you earn at least $1,220 in a quarter in 2015, you will get one work credit.You need more work credits to be eligible as you get older.If you are 31 years old or older, you won't be eligible unless you've worked at least five of the last 10 years before you became disabled.If you worked at least half the time between the start of your disability and your 21st birthday, you are eligible for benefits.The duration of work test requires you to earn a certain number of credits for a period of time.If you're between 31 and 42 years old, you need to have earned at least 20 work credits over the course of five years of work.If you haven't earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI, you can still get SSI if your income and assets fall below the benefit limits.
Step 5: Documentation is required to prove any statements made in the application.
Before your application can move forward, you must meet the financial need and work history eligibility requirements.If these requirements are not met, your claims representative won't send you an application for a disability determination.
Step 6: You must fill out the application.
You can apply for benefits at your local SSA office, over the phone, or online.The SSA requires all SSI applicants to meet with a claims representative, so if you're also filing for SSI, it would be more efficient for you to apply over the phone or in person.You can apply over the phone.You don't have to make an appointment if you want to apply in person.
Step 7: Obtain the necessary documents.
You have to submit certain documents to prove your statements.You will need a birth certificate, Social Security card, or other proof of identity to be accepted.You should bring your medical records and doctors' reports with you.You can still apply for benefits if you don't have all your medical records.The SSA can help you get the documents you need.If you're applying for SSI and need proof of income and assets, bring financial documents such as bank account statements and pay stubs, as well as tax documents.
Step 8: Prepare for an interview.
Before the SSA grants you SSI benefits, you must meet with a claims representative who will ask you questions about your medical treatment, work, and personal finances.The same claims representative will review both applications at the same time.If you have problems with memory or concentration, it's a good idea to write down information about your work history and medical treatment so you can answer any questions the claims representative has.Dates and locations of important life events, such as marriages or the births of any children, should be written down.Make a list of all your doctors and their addresses and phone numbers, as well as the dates of your appointments with them, and what treatment you received on each occasion.
Step 9: You should attend your disability interview.
You should meet with your claims representative when your interview is scheduled to bring along any documents or other information that will support your application.The claims representative will ask questions about your previous work history, what duties you performed at work, and how your disability has affected your ability to perform those duties at that level.If you can't do any other types of work for which you have experience, she needs to know.Basic questions about yourself will include your name, address, gender, and age.A summary of your education and work background will be included in your biographical history.
Step 10: Wait for the decision from SSA.
There are no guarantees as to when you'll hear back on your application for disability benefits.The initial application process can take anywhere from a month to two years.
Step 11: Your history of depression should be recorded.
You must have been disabled for at least a year before you can be eligible for disability benefits for depression.Your doctor's notes in your medical records should not say that your condition has improved or that you are feeling better.It's understood that your condition is ongoing despite the fact that you had a few good days, so you may want to ask your doctor for more explanation.Review the treatment recommendations provided by the medical professionals who've worked with you to make sure you followed their advice, or that you had a legitimate reason for not following it.SSA would probably consider that a legitimate reason if you are unable to comply with your doctor's advice because therapy is expensive and not covered by your insurance.
Step 12: You can get medical opinions on your degree of disability.
Unless you see a medical professional such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist who is treating you for depression, you won't get disability benefits.You have to show more than a diagnosis.Your doctor has to testify about the severity of your depression and how it prevents you from working.She should be able to give medical explanations for each event.If you miss work several times in one week because of your depression, you should see your doctor and get a report on your mental status at that time.
Step 13: There are requirements for benefits based on impairment listing.
There are disability criteria for depression in the SSA handbook.There are listings for disabilities that are so severe they are automatically eligible for benefits.To meet the criteria for automatic benefits, you have to show medical evidence that proves your symptoms of depression caused at least two of the following: a marked limitation in your ability to perform everyday tasks of living such as getting dressed or bathing yourself.SSA impairment listing is determined by a claims examiner associated with SSA.If you don't, the claims examiner will forward your application to a medical consultant.If you've only seen a social worker or a therapist, the claims examiner will give their opinion less weight than a doctor's opinion.Before applying for disability, you should get another opinion from a psychologist or a psychiatrist.An evaluation of your ability to perform work is one of the things that should be included in your doctor's medical opinion.If true, your doctor should tell you that drug or alcohol dependency was not a factor in your disease.Drug or alcohol dependency can be used as a reason to deny disability benefits.
Step 14: The requirements for benefits are based on a medical-vocational allowance
If your residual functional capacity is diminished as a result of your disability, you can still qualify.At this stage of the process, your disability and treatment history is analyzed by a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist working as a consultant for SSA.Most disability applicants are approved through a medical-vocational allowance.An analysis of how your depression limits your ability to perform tasks in a work environment is called your residual functional capacity.If there was no work available that you could reliably do, you would be considered disabled.The medical consultant looks for evidence that your disability causes a significant restriction of your capacity to function that you are unable to work as a result.Once the medical consultant has evaluated your RFC, your file will be returned to a claims examiner, who will evaluate your work history to determine if there are any jobs out there that you could reasonably do, or if your disability really keeps you from working.The claims examiner will look at your age, work experience, and education to determine if you are disabled enough to qualify for benefits.A complex system of grid rules is used by claims examiners to make final determinations of disability.The "worn out worker" rule is one of the exemptions that the rules are subject to.
Step 15: Understand the entire process.
If depression is your only disability, most applications for disability benefits are denied after the initial application.If you want to stand a better chance of approval on an appeal, you need to hire an attorney who specializes in disability.It takes time for benefits to be granted on further review after a denial of disability benefits.
Step 16: There is a request for reconsideration to be filed.
Within 60 days of receiving the letter denying your application, you must file a request for reconsideration.You should file your appeal as soon as possible.Reconsideration is when an SSA employee looks at your application for the second time.If you are having trouble understanding the reasons for your denial, you don't need to be present.You can file your appeal online.You have to include the disability report form and disclosure form if you choose to file a paper form.You will have to wait three to four months after you file your request to hear back from SSA.
Step 17: There is a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
You can request a hearing if your claim is denied after being reconsidered.The date and time of your hearing will be given to you by the ALJ's office.The hearing is more formal and you will be asked questions about the information in your application and the documents you've submitted to support it.Doctors who've treated you and anyone else who has an understanding of depression can testify for you.After the hearing, the ALJ will make a decision based on all the information presented to her.You will receive a letter from the SSA explaining the decision and a copy of the full decision for your records.The total decision time varies from state to state, but can range from seven months to two years from the date you request a hearing.
Step 18: The Appeals Council has the power to review the decision of the ALJ.
The Appeals Council can review the decision if the ALJ doesn't rule in your favor.If you don't have an attorney, the SSA will help you understand the process and ask for a review.The Appeals Council will make a preliminary decision on your request.The request for review will be denied if the Council finds no fault with the decision.You will get a letter from SSA explaining the decision.If the Appeals Council finds something that merits further review, it will either make a decision on your case or return it to the person who made the decision.The Appeals Council is located in Washington, D.C., so your presence is not required.It can take up to a year for the Appeals Council to make a decision on your claim.
Step 19: You can file a lawsuit in federal court.
You can file a federal lawsuit if the Appeals Council upholds the decision.You have 60 days to file a civil complaint with your local district court after the Appeals Council made its decision.The SSA can't help you with your case.If you haven't already done so, you should look for an attorney who specializes in Social Security disability.Federal rules of procedure are difficult to understand.When you file a complaint, the court issues a summons that you must serve on the SSA.An answer explaining why the agency was correct to deny you benefits will be filed when the SSA has notice of your case.Both you and the SSA will file briefs with the court.Sometimes an in-person argument is scheduled by the court.A disability appeal can take up to eight months to be decided by a federal district court.