As of 2019, 2 million people were on disability due to a mental illness. So, what mental illnesses are covered? Do you have a mental illness and wonder “do I qualify for disability?”

Keep reading for an overview of disability insurance for mental illness.

“Do I Quality for Disability?” — An Overview

Many people wonder if they qualify for disability due to an ongoing mental illness. The answer is complicated. There are a lot of factors involved when determining disability eligibility.

When you apply for disability insurance, your condition is evaluated against a set of symptoms. If you meet the criteria and can show that your illness hinders you from certain activities, you are able to progress with the application. You must show you are getting treatment for the mental illness you suffer from throughout the application process.

To qualify, your mental illness must prevent you from working full-time for at least a year. The application process can be lengthy and there are many steps involved, including medical evaluations.

Mental Disorders and Disability Insurance

What mental disorders are covered under disability insurance? There are a few outlined in the guide the Social Security Administration uses to determine eligibility. Those are:

• Affective disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Autism and related disorders
• Intellectual disabilities
• Organic mental disorders
• Personality disorders
• Schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, and paranoia
• Somatoform disorders
• Substance addiction

There are also several other disorders covered, including ADHD and depression. The only way to determine if you are eligible is to file an application or speak to a professional who specializes in disability insurance.

Do you think you might qualify? Was your disability insurance claim denied? Contact Benefitsclaim.com

to get help with your application.

Types of Disability Insurance

There are two programs for adults who receive disability insurance. They are Social Security Disabled Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each program offers different benefits and has its own requirements, outlined below.

Social Security Disabled Insurance

To qualify for this type of disability, you must have a long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from working. If these are true, you may or may not qualify according to the Social Security Administration’s standards. The other factor for qualification for SSDI is work credits.

Depending on your age, you must have a certain amount of work credits. You can learn more about how to calculate work credits here.

Supplemental Security Income

The SSI program has a few different requirements about where you live, recent travel, and citizenship status. To qualify for SSI, you must be 65+ in age, legally blind, or disabled. There are a few more factors involved, but to determine eligibility, you must apply.

You could also speak to a disability lawyer or other professional for advice.

Discover More

This article covered the common question, “do I qualify for disability?” Now that you have a better understanding of what illnesses qualify, we hope you can move forward with making the best decision.

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