How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits with Depression

 By Rachel Gaffney, Outreach Specialist - Disability Benefits Center

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Depression is a serious mental illness that affects millions of people. The symptoms of depression like anxiety, fatigue, and a sense of hopelessness can make it difficult for people who have depression to work. If you’ve been diagnosed with depression and you expect that you won’t be able to work for at least a year because of depression, you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits can be used to pay for basic living expenses so that you don’t have to worry about making ends meet when you’re too sick to work. 

Medically Qualifying For Disability Benefits Because Of Depression

There are many different symptoms associated with depression and nearly all of them can be debilitating. In order for your claim for disability benefits to be approved you will need to show that your depression makes it impossible for you to work. To do that you will have to meet the requirements that the Social Security Administration has set. Those requirements can be found in the SSA Blue Book listing for depression. It says that in order to be eligible for disability benefits because of depression you must be able to show that you have at least five of these symptoms:

  • depressed mood

  • decreased interest in almost all activities

  • appetite disturbance (poor appetite or overeating) resulting in a change in weight

  • sleep disturbance (insomnia or oversleeping)

  • difficulty concentrating or thinking

  • feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • thoughts of death or suicide

  • a slowing of physical movement and reactions, including speech, or increased physical agitation, such as hand wringing or pacing.

Additionally, you need to provide documentation showing that you have an extreme limitation in one of these areas or a marked limitation in two of these areas:

  • understanding, remembering, or applying information (the ability to understand instructions, learn new things, apply new knowledge to tasks, and use judgment in decisions)

  • interacting with others (the ability to use socially appropriate behaviors)

  • concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace in performing tasks (the ability to complete tasks), and/or

  • adapting or managing oneself (having practical personal skills like paying bills, cooking, shopping, dressing, and practicing good hygiene).

Providing medical documentation showing that you meet the listing can be tough, but you can use statements from a psychologist, statements from former bosses or co-workers, family members, social workers, or anyone else who can speak to the impact that the symptoms of depression have had on your ability to work.

Medical Vocational Allowance For Depression

The standard of proof for getting disability benefits for depression is high, and some people may not meet the standard but still are unable to work. If that happens you can still be eligible for disability benefits under the Medical Vocational Allowance. To qualify this way you need to download the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) evaluation form from the SSA website. Your doctor or psychologist needs to fill out this form and provide detailed information about your illness and the limitations you have as a result of that illness.

Then, the SSA will look at the RFC evaluation and your work history, the skills you have, and the limitations caused by your illness. They will try to find some type of work that you can do with the skills and limitations that you have. If they can’t find any kind of work that you can do then you will be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. 

Filing Your Claim

Going through the process of filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits can take some time. The best thing to do immediately is to get your initial claim files. The sooner you file the sooner you could start receiving benefits. You can file a claim online or apply in person at the local SSA office. 


Sources:

SSA’s Blue Book: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

Medical Evidence For Claims: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/glossary/acceptable-medical-source

RFC Form: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms/images/SSA4/G-SSA-4734-U8-1.pdf

Online Application: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib

SSA Locations: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/state-social-security-disability

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