Three Tips to Getting Disability Benefits for Depression

Here are three tips to getting disability benefits if you’ve been diagnosed with depression. My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible, so they can focus on getting better. Today we’re going to talk about three tips to getting Social Security disability benefits if you’ve been diagnosed with depression and are unable to work in any capacity.

Clinical depression is currently considered under one of Social Security disability listings, and that is listing 12.04. To meet the listing, you will need to show medical evidence of at least five of the following: a depressed mood, diminished interest in almost all activities, appetite disturbance with weight change, sleep disturbance, observable psychomotor agitation or retardation, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating or thinking, or thoughts of death or suicide.

You will also need to show that you have either an extreme limitation in one or marked limitation in two of the following areas of mental functioning: in your ability to understand, remember and apply information; your ability to interact with others; your ability to concentrate, persist or maintain pace; or your ability to adapt or manage yourself. If you can’t show an extreme limitation in one of those four or a marked limitation in two of those four, you may still meet the listing if you have a medically documented history of the existence of the depression over at least two years with evidence of either medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support, or a highly structured setting that’s ongoing, that diminishes the symptoms of your mental disorder, and a marginal adjustment, meaning that you have a minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demand that are not already part of your daily life.

Finally, the third tip is you will want to make sure that you are responding promptly and honestly to any and all questionnaires and paperwork that Social Security sends your way regarding your case. If you do not respond, Social Security will sometimes be forced to make a decision based on what’s in your file without additional input from you. 

Social Security Disability Attorney

If you’re disabled and unable to work, click the scheduling link here or give us a call directly to see what I can do to help you.