Mental Illness

Is Mental Illness Covered Under Social Security?

San Jose and Fremont Disability attorneys at David Allen & Associates first point out that mental illnesses are, in fact, no different than physical injuries and, consequently, qualify for Social Security disability. Our lawyers point out that an illness in the brain is as medically verifiable as is, say, diabetes. Consequently, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys assure people who suffer from a range of mental illnesses that, if their mental illness makes it impossible to work, SSDI benefits are available. The experienced Social Security lawyers at David Allen & Associates San Jose and Fremont are ready to help with the challenging process of applying for SSDI benefits to enforce entitlements to Social Security disability support.

Attorneys also point out that people with mental illnesses receiving SSDI benefits are also subject to the same requirements, restrictions, and hurdles of applying for Social Security. San Jose and Fremont Disability lawyers at David Allen & Associates say that the SSDI benefits process is often frustrating and difficult for people under the best of circumstances. Thus, when clients are compelled to make an SSDI benefits claim based on a mental illness, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers know the experience can be particularly challenging. Social Security disability attorneys in our San Jose and Fremont offices (and elsewhere in the West) are specifically trained to streamline these specialized SSDI benefits claims.

What Brain Disorders Qualify for Social Security?

Benefits lawyers explain that the Social Security Administration recognizes several mental illnesses that are also listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys say these conditions can lead to total disability and eligibility for Social Security. Lawyers point to debilitating diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD and developmental disorders among others. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys also work with people afflicted with ADHD, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorders and other mental illnesses.

Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers say the requirements to qualify for SSDI benefits with a mental illness diagnosis are the same as those for other physical ailments. To order to receive SSDI benefits for a mental illness, Social Security attorneys say it must prevent you from working at a job for at least a year. In addition, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers remind people they must also have sufficient work credits to collect Social Security disability. Lawyers further say the illness must prevent you from finding alternate gainful employment. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys refer people to a detailed outline of the SSA’s mental illness disability policies Also, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers suggest reading more about SSDI disability at: Understanding What it Means to Be Disabled for Purposes of SSD

In San Jose and Fremont , our Social Security Disability lawyers say the success or failure of your mental illness SSDI disability application will depend in large part on medical records. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys emphasize the importance of good documentation from physicians when applying for Social Security. Disability lawyers point out that, in the case of a mental illness claim, psychiatrists are the specialist physicians most appropriate to verify a Social Security disability claim. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys know that, sometimes, our clients with mental illnesses experience difficulties with providing this documentation to apply for Social Security disability. Lawyers at David Allen & Associates San Jose and Fremont understand these challenges and help with the process of acquiring medical records supporting a mental illness claim for SSDI benefits. Of course, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys urge people to seek prompt diagnosis of your condition and consistently follow up with all scheduled treatment. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers also know that taking recommended prescriptions also helps support an SSDI benefits claim. Not only does this better manage symptoms, but will also maximize your chances of obtaining benefits for Social Security disability benefits. Attorneys know, depending on the severity of a mental illness, this kind of organization is not always possible. That’s why our Social Security law firm in San Jose and Fremont takes extra care to assist with the documentation process for SSDI benefits.

Mental Illness, Often Misunderstood in Claims for Social Security Disability

Attorneys at David Allen & Associates point out that examiners with the Social Security Administration are not authorized specialists on mental illnesses. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys report that SSA examiners don't generally comprehend the full extent of the limitations caused by certain mental illness. Lawyers say examiners may not understand the dysfunctional behaviors that bring about claims for Social Security. our San Jose and Fremont Social Security disability lawyers say that some examiners don't perceive the way mental illnesses can be debilitating enough to qualify for Social Security. Attorneys know that mental illnesses like manic depression or bipolar disorder may not be apparent at the time of a hearing for Social Security disability. Our lawyers say the examiners will see a patient is cured because he or she doesn't show certain manifestations at the hearing. However, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys know that symptoms can be temporarily controlled and are almost guaranteed to return sooner rather than later, making it impossible for an individual to survive without Social Security.

Disability Attorneys Fight Denials for Mental Illness SSDI Benefits

Social Security disability lawyers at David Allen & Associates San Jose and Fremont know that the SSA is quick to deny mental illness claims for Social Security disability. Lawyers report the denials are often based on ‘bad record keeping.’ Sometimes, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability attorneys say, handwritten notes from physicians are deemed illegible and become the basis for denying the claim for Social security disability. Attorneys also report that some doctors are not specialists and don’t recognize the symptoms of mental illness. Our San Jose and Fremont Social Security disability attorneys say these practitioners are not able to properly diagnose and, consequently, a client is denied a claim for Social Security disability. Our attorneys add the SSA may also deny SSDI benefits based on a failure to take prescribed medications. However, our San Jose and Fremont Social Security Disability lawyers know that management of psychotropic medications is extremely complicated in the treatment of mental illness. Our Social Security attorneys call on qualified physicians to help make the case for our client’s claim for Social Security benefits.

Disability attorneys at the San Jose and Fremont Social Security law firm of David Allen & Associates are highly experienced in helping people meet the challenges of a mental illness claim for benefits for Social Security disability. Our lawyers have the compassion and commitment to prevail in making appeals, and winning for people suffering from a serious and persistent mental illness.