The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes sure every word of a disability application is read. There are many rules that must be followed to receive benefits and even more guidelines associated with different medical conditions. That is why most applicants need the assistance of a lawyer.
Applicants may base their claim on mental illness and disorders like depression and anxiety. It is important to learn how SSA reviews these claims. To be eligible for disability, a claimant must prove that their mental illness prevents them from working. SSA defines not being able to work as “not being able to perform substantial gainful activity for at least one year”. Substantial gainful activity means being able to earn $1,070 a month. Applicants may be eligible for SSI or SSDI. SSI is for people with few assets and little work history while SSDI is for people with employers who paid taxes to the SSA. If you need help with Social Security Disability Law in Atlanta, contact Affleck & Gordon, P.C. The law firm has many experienced attorneys who will help with your claim.
SSA reviews a mental illness claim in two ways:
* Are the basic disability requirements met?
* How does the condition rank on its listing of impairments?
The list of impairments are conditions SSA deems so severe, they should be approved automatically. Some of the listed mental disorders include autism, mental retardation, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. Applicants must prove they have the condition, and the illness prevents them from working. Documentation is essential to proving this type of claim. Applicants should submit records from psychiatrists, hospitals, and pharmacies, and the records should back up what the person stated on their application.
The rules are confusing, and that is why it is necessary to have help from a lawyer who practices Social Security Disability Law in Atlanta. Credibility is key to winning a case, and people with mental disorders may be unable to prove their case on their own. They need a lawyer to help explain their disability and how it affects their daily life. Get help with your disability application today, to ensure no vital information is left out of your claim.
