While many people experience temporary anxiety, individuals with anxiety disorders find it difficult to complete routine activities that are required to work. If anxiety impacts your ability to work, you may qualify for disability benefits. Here’s what you need to know about getting disability benefits for anxiety.
Is Anxiety a Qualifying Condition?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that anxiety disorder is an eligible mental disorder for benefits under section 12.06 of the Blue Book (the document that lists the criteria for qualifying conditions for disability benefits).
If your anxiety has affected your ability to function and work for at least 12 months, you may qualify for disability benefits. Anxiety can affect your ability to successfully navigate social interactions with co-workers and clients; it may also keep you from being able to concentrate and complete tasks in a timely manner.
Qualifying for Disability with Anxiety
It’s important to have evidence that documents how anxiety affects your ability to work. Your evidence should include medical records that document your struggles with anxiety.
Your documentation should state what kind of diagnosed anxiety disorders you have and the symptoms associated with your diagnosed disorders. Check that your doctor includes notes about the severity of your symptoms and how these symptoms impact your thinking and ability to complete activities.
Any treatments that you’ve tried, like prescription medication or therapy, should be documented, along with information about how the treatment did or didn’t help you manage the symptoms of your anxiety disorder. If you’ve been hospitalized for your anxiety, your evidence should include these records.
While the SSA has high standards for qualifying for anxiety disability benefits, it’s not impossible to do so. Your medical records should prove that you’ve tried to treat and manage your anxiety, but that you still struggle with anxiety symptoms that prevent you from completing daily activities and working.
Even if your medical records detail how your anxiety influences your ability to complete tasks at home, this can help prove your anxiety prevents you from completing work-related tasks. The SSA will deduce that if you’re unable to concentrate long enough to finish a household task, this will cause the same issues at work.
If you’ve lost a job due to your anxiety disorder, information about this event should be included. Employment records that include attendance info and performance evaluations can be valuable for demonstrating the work-related issues caused by your anxiety.
Evidence that proves your anxiety has affected your work performance can help the SSA conclude that you’re likely to have additional problems maintaining steady employment.
How Benefits Claim Can Help
We understand the difference that disability benefits can make; we’re dedicated to helping you get approved for your anxiety disability benefits. Our goal is to help you build a strong case for your benefits claim and include the necessary information to prevent your claim from being denied or delayed. Contact us today for disability benefits assistance.
