Do you struggle with depression? If so, you should know that you’re not alone. Millions of other people struggle with this condition, too, and help is always available. You should also know that depending upon the severity of your condition, you may qualify for disability benefits.
Let’s take a closer look at the condition itself, the law regarding disability benefits, and what the application process includes.
What is Depression?
Also often referred to as “major depression” or “major depressive disorder,” clinical depression is, as those who struggle with it already know, more than just feeling “sad.” It’s more than just feeling down or upset due to adverse circumstances. Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is characterized by ongoing and pervasive feelings of despair, sadness, and loss of interest in normal activities of daily life that were once enjoyed.
While the symptoms of clinical depression may vary by individual, common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ongoing feelings of sadness and despair
- Unusual sleep patterns
- Suicidal thoughts
- Changes in eating patterns
- Many other symptoms.
Some who struggle with depression may be able to seek treatment and function fairly well, while others find the condition more debilitating and may struggle even to get out of bed or complete routine daily tasks.
Depending upon your particular circumstances, you may or may not qualify for disability benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what type of benefits may be available and what is necessary to qualify for those benefits.
What Types of Benefits Are Available?
For those individuals with clinical depression, various types of disability benefits may be available, including benefits from the Social Security Administration and benefits from private insurers, depending upon the particular circumstances involved.
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To qualify for either type of benefit, an individual must be able to prove that they have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more.
In addition, to receive SSDI benefits, an individual must be “insured.” This means that they worked a job for a sufficient length of time through which they regularly paid a portion of their salary to the Social Security Administration. To receive SSI benefits, by contrast, an individual does not need to be insured – but he or she will need to have income and resources below a certain threshold established by the Social Security Administration.
In addition to the benefits provided by the Social Security Administration, individuals who struggle with disabling depression may also qualify for benefits from private insurers if they have a long-term disability policy. Such policies may be purchased personally by an individual or provided through an employer. The terms and conditions of policies will vary, as will the amount of money paid out through the policy.
Should You Apply?
You may qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration, a private insurer, or both, depending on your circumstances. As noted, for privately held policies, the terms and conditions necessary to receive payments will be outlined in the policy. They may differ from one insurer to another. As a result, it will be essential to contact an attorney who knows and understands the law and can advise you on your particular situation.
As far as Social Security disability benefits are concerned, an individual must establish that he or she has a disabling condition and that it has rendered them disabled for at least one year or more. To determine whether or not a medical condition qualifies for benefits, the Social Security Administration will often consult its “Blue Book,” which is a listing of qualifying medical conditions and their accompanying symptoms.
Fortunately, clinical depression is a condition included in the Blue Book. As a result, if you can establish through sufficient medical proof that you have clinical depression, you may have a good chance of qualifying for benefits. Ultimately, however, consulting with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney will provide much-needed clarity as to the best path forward. At Sackett Law, we’re here for you.
Sackett Law – Here For You
At Sackett Law, we know that having a disability can be difficult, to say the least. So regardless of whether you struggle with depression, or another disability, we want you to know that we understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help. Instead of worrying about how you’ll protect your rights and pursue your claim, you can leave those worries to us. We have the right blend of knowledge and expertise that you need on your side, and we’ll fight tirelessly on your behalf. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
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