Step 1: Establish a Mental Health Diagnosis

To qualify, your condition must be:

• Diagnosed by a licensed professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
• Examples include major depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.
• Severity and duration of symptoms must be clearly documented.

Step 2: Provide Evidence of Functional Limitations

The SSA evaluates how your condition affects:

• Daily living abilities such as self-care and social interaction.
• Work-related skills including concentration, persistence, and task completion.
• The ability to maintain regular attendance and perform work duties.

Step 3: Meet SSA's Duration and Work Credit Requirements

Eligibility requires:

• Your condition to be expected to last at least 12 months continuously or result in death.
• Enough work credits by paying into Social Security through prior employment.
• Age at onset influences the number of credits needed.

Step 4: Submit a Strong SSDI Application

This should include:

• Detailed medical records recording treatment history and professional evaluations.
• Statements from healthcare providers about your functional limitations.
• Information on medications, therapy, and hospitalizations.

Common Challenges in Approval

Keep in mind:

• Insufficient medical evidence showing ongoing severity of your mental health condition.
• Temporary or mild symptoms that don’t meet SSA standards.
• Missing or incomplete work history affecting eligibility.
• Failure to cooperate with required SSA examinations or documentation requests.