“What conditions qualify you to receive Social Security disability benefits?” This question misses the point, just a little. When determining someone’s eligibility for benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not look so much at specific conditions. Instead, the SSA is more precisely concerned with exactly how the condition impairs your ability to work. The key to winning Social Security disability benefits is what the SSA calls your “residual functional capacity,” the work you are able to do in spite of the limits imposed by your condition. If you’re unable to work in southern California, you may be able to obtain Social Security disability benefits with the help of an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer.
Criteria for Depression as a Disability
To qualify for disability payments due to depression, the condition must:
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Prevent you from working for twelve continuous months or longer, or
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Be expected to prevent work for twelve continuous months.
Importance of Medical Documentation
SSA requires medical evidence from recognized mental health professionals, such as:
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Licensed psychologists
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Licensed psychiatrists or physicians
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Hospitals or other treatment centers
Without proper documentation, the SSA may require a consultative examination by a physician they pay. These exams rarely lead to approval on their own. A well-documented treatment history significantly strengthens your case.
Talk To A Los Angeles Social Security Lawyer
Receiving disability benefits isn’t easy. Most initial applications are usually denied, and most applicants have to appeal. The paperwork is complicated. The more medical documentation you can produce, the better your chances are of winning benefits. Don’t even begin the process without help from a disability attorney who knows what is required to win your disability benefits. In Southern California, if you’re unable to work, contact an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyer as quickly as possible.