Depression is a type of mood disorder that can be characterized by gloom, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness. The disorder interferes with your daily life, including your ability to work. If it becomes severe, a person can no longer go to work. Living with depression can disrupt your basic functions, such as sleeping, memorizing, and eating. Clinical depression leads to a loss of interest in daily activities. According to ADAA, major depressive disorder is the primary cause of disability for people between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States. A disability lawyer in Sacramento can help you receive your disability benefits if you qualify criteria.
Is it a Disability?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, depression qualifies as a mental disability (ADA). It's a serious mood illness that interferes with daily tasks, including your capacity to work. Social Security Administration (SSA) considers depression a serious mental illness when it is severe enough to prevent you from working and supporting yourself.
You can apply for Social Security disability benefits if you have been diagnosed with depression and believe it will prevent you from working for at least a year.
SSA qualifies depression as a disability and allows you to apply for benefits if certain requirements are met. The SSA provides financial aid if your depressive state stops you from working to make a living.
Eligibility Criteria
• A formal determination of your condition using the Blue Book.
• A diagnosed illness that will prevent you from working for at least a year
Depression must affect your ability to
• Socialize
• Memorize information
• Concentrate
• Manage daily activities
You must have at least five of the below-mentioned symptoms to qualify for social security benefits:
• Depressed mood
• Loss of interest in most activities
• Eating disorders
• Abnormal weight changes
• Depressed mood
• Insomnia
• Unusual agitated behavior noticeable to others
• Lethargic movement or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Problems with concentration
• Suicidal thoughts
The SSA conducts a detailed assessment of your medical records to evaluate your eligibility for benefits. They match your records during the process with a disability listing in the “Blue Book.” SSA uses The Blue Book, a medical manual that assesses every disability application. Disability listings present the severity level standards and specify the medical evidence required to support a claim for benefits.
Consulting a social security attorney in Sacramento can help you through the process and apply for the benefits.
Medical Vocational Allowance
Some people may not fulfill the standard of proof to get social security benefits but can still apply for it. If that happens, you can qualify for Medical Vocational Allowance disability benefits. Download the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) evaluation form from the SSA website and check the requirements. Your doctor or psychologist must fill out this form with specific information about your disease.
The SSA will check your RFC evaluation, work history, skills, and limitations your disease caused. They will try to find the type of work you could do. If they cannot find it, you will qualify for social security disability benefits.
Conclusion
Filing a disability claim is a complex and time-consuming process. Many people do not get approval because they make mistakes in their applications. Consulting an SSI lawyer in Sacramento will help you save the hassle.
