As per data, anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. It affects more than 40 million individuals who are older than 18 years of age. The number of people affected by anxiety disorders accounts for about 18.1% of the country’s total population.
Severe symptoms of the condition may affect an individual’s ability to work and function properly. Many individuals with severe symptoms of anxiety find it difficult to work and perform daily activities tasks. If you have been experiencing a similar condition, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability for Anxiety disorders.
To be eligible for the disability benefits, your condition must have prevented you from working for at least 12 months. You can apply for either of the programs - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. You will be eligible for SSI benefits only if you have limited resources and income. Most people who have worked in the past and paid social security taxes apply for SSDI benefits.
Eligibility conditions for Anxiety disorders
If you have been diagnosed with anxiety, you must have evidence that you are getting treated for it. If you are not getting proper treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist, it will affect your claim. There are chances that the evaluator will deny your application, and you will not receive disability benefits.
All the anxiety disorders are listed under Listing 12.06 Listing of Impairments in the Blue Book. As per the eligibility criteria, you must experience three or more of the symptoms. Your doctor’s diagnosis report should show that you are experiencing three or more of the following symptoms:
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbance
Feeling lethargic or tired easily
Unable to think and concentrate
Irritability
Restlessness
The doctor’s diagnosis report must also show that you cannot function properly because of the condition. It should show that it is affecting your day to day life activities. In addition to the above symptoms, you must experience severe problems in any of the following conditions mentioned below. If not extreme, you must undergo a significant or limiting pain in two of the following conditions mentioned below:
Ability to understand and remember things
Ability to learn something new and judge things
Ability to concentrate and complete the tasks
Ability to take care of self
If your symptoms are not severe, the SSA department will evaluate your residual functional capacity to understand the limitations you are experiencing because of the anxiety disorder. The SSA will evaluate if your condition limits you from performing other types of jobs. If they don’t find your condition limiting enough, then your application may be denied. However, if you cannot perform any other work, you will be considered eligible for the disability benefits.
If your claim has been denied
Mental illnesses are not easy to prove. Many-a-times, mental disability claims are denied because of the lack of proof and evidence. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with the condition and have been unable to work, the first thing that you should do is consult a psychiatrist or a psychologist. You should get yourself treated by a certified medical professional and follow the treatment suggested by them.
If you are not following the prescribed treatment, you will be considered the reason for your health deterioration. You must also get in touch with an experienced social security disability lawyer. Each family member is eligible for Family social security disability benefits. You can discuss with your lawyer to understand the eligibility criteria in this case.