Depression is a common mood disorder experienced by more than 70 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It affects how a person acts, thinks, eats, and sleeps, but in many cases, depression symptoms can be managed through medication and other forms of treatment prescribed by medical professionals.
For those individuals with depression whose symptoms do not respond favorably to treatment, depression disability benefits may be available. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, administered by the Social Security Administration, provide disability benefits and medical coverage in cases where depression qualifies as a disability.
Social Security Disability Standard
The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death, that prevents a person from doing substantial gainful work activity. This is the standard the SSA uses to evaluate disability claims for benefits through SSDI and SSI.
The evaluation process of the mental health disability claim filed by an individual diagnosed with depression who is working looks at their monthly earnings to determine their ability to do substantial gainful work activity. Federal regulations establish a specific earnings threshold each year as the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit.
For instance, the monthly threshold for 2025 is $1,620 for non-blind applicants and $2,700 for those who are blind. The SGA threshold for blind applicants applies only to applications for SSDI. If a person’s income exceeds the threshold, they are doing work activities considered substantial and gainful.
The SSA disability evaluation process utilizes a listing of impairments, commonly referred to as the “Blue Book.” The listings contain physical and mental impairments severe enough to qualify for SSDI or SSI by meeting the standard of the disability definition. However, claims must be supported by medical evidence meeting or medically equivalent to the criteria of a listed impairment.
Answering the question, “Is depression a disability?” requires an understanding of the mental health condition, including its symptoms. It also requires medical evidence and other documentation to meet the standard to qualify for SSDI or SSI disability benefits.
Overview Of Depression
Everyone experiences sadness, difficulty sleeping, or a loss of interest in things and activities that are usually enjoyable. Feeling sad and “down” over the loss of a promotion at work does not mean that you are depressed.
Depression is when you experience those emotions and similar ones every day for weeks at a time. If you do, make an appointment to be evaluated by a medical professional to determine if you feel and act the way you do because of depression.
Common symptoms to look for as a sign of a depressive disorder include:
- Sadness
- Hopeless or worried feelings
- Loss of interest and enjoyment of activities
- Easily irritated or frustrated
- Changes in eating habits
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Fatigue
- Impaired ability to concentrate, make decisions, or remember things
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Researchers do not know the causes of depression, but the following may be factors contributing to its development:
- Brain chemistry imbalance
- Genetics
- Traumatic life events, such as the death of a family member or a divorce
- Chronic pain and other medical conditions
- Medication side effects
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical and mental health history and conduct a physical exam to identify possible causes of your symptoms. Diagnostic tests, including blood testing, may be ordered to identify underlying medical conditions that could cause your symptoms.
Depression generally responds well to treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend medication, psychotherapy, and other forms of treatment alone or in combination to resolve the symptoms you experience.
When Is Depression A Disability?
Depression symptoms must be expected to last for more than one year and prevent you from working according to the disability definition to qualify for Social Security disability for depression. The listing of impairments includes different types of depression, including major depressive disorder, the most common form of depression.
If you cannot meet the criteria of the listings, you may qualify for disability benefits by medical evidence documenting that your condition prevents you from doing work you did in the past. The mental health condition must also prevent you from adjusting to do other types of work available in the regional and national economies.
Consult A Disability Benefits Lawyer At Sackett Law
The SSA denies disability benefits for more than two-thirds of the applications it receives each year, but a denial of benefits does not mean the end of your fight. The disability benefits team at Sackett and Associates has been assisting individuals in Northern California and nationwide with their disability benefits claims for over 45 years.
A denial of your claim can be challenged through an appeal process. Contact Sackett Law today for a free consultation and claim evaluation to learn more about what they can do for you.
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