Is Anxiety a Disability? Exploring Social Security Benefits

Is anxiety a disability? Let’s go exploring Social Security Benefits. Yes, anxiety is considered a disability. Anxiety disorders such as panic disorders, OCD, PTSD, and phobias are regarded as disabilities. All in all, people with anxiety as a disability can qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Altogether, the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers the applicants who can prove that their disability for anxiety is preventing them from engaging in any kind of work.

A person can file for SSD benefits when they have a severe anxiety disability. However, it can be challenging to claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Therefore, you must have a medical history showing your recurrent episodes of anxiety. The documents must show your feelings and change of behavior after regular treatment from a doctor.

According to the SSA, disability is defined as “any mental or medical impairment that prevents the patient from engaging in any work for at least 12 months.“

Hence, if you are trying to get SSDI or SSI for anxiety, it is essential to hire a disability attorney. Getting legal help can dramatically increase your chances of securing approval.

What is Anxiety?

Overall, an anxiety disorder refers to a mental health condition where extreme feelings of fear and worry control your everyday life.

Anxiety disorders can take on different forms. Consequently, patients might feel completely unable to concentrate, avoid particular places or situations, or feel extreme panic.

Severe anxiety disorders make it difficult or impossible for people to perform everyday tasks. Hence, they elicit a range of stressful symptoms. Such problems may be associated with previous trauma.

Military combat, airplane crashes, violent crimes, and animal attacks can trigger these disorders, while others may have no specific cause.

Types of Anxiety

Is anxiety a disability? Exploring Social Security Benefits for you. There are various types of anxiety disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR). Furthermore, if you experience anxiety disorders, you might be diagnosed with the following:

Selective mutism: Markedly, this disorder generally occurs in childhood and is the inability to speak in social situations. Without treatment, you can still have symptoms of this disorder in adulthood.

Separation anxiety disorder: Nonetheless, separation anxiety disorder occurs when there is significant anxiety when you’re away from home or someone you an attachment figure. This diagnosis can occur in children and adults.

Social anxiety disorder (Social Phobia): In brief, this disorder occurs when there’s perceived criticism or judgment from others in social situations. Symptoms of this disorder can be very distressing, and you may avoid social situations altogether if you have this condition.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): In particular, this disorder occurs when you experience anxiety disproportionate to the actual threat about various situations that arise in everyday life. This type of anxiety is usually excessive and persistent.

Agoraphobia: Notwithstanding, agoraphobia is a fear of places or situations where you could experience embarrassment, judgment, feel trapped, or experience helplessness. Many people with agoraphobia have panic attacks and have difficulty leaving their homes.

Panic disorder: People with panic disorder often experience severe and recurrent panic attacks. In any case, these often feel out of your control and feeling uncomfortable and sudden extreme periods of fear.

Specific phobia: Particularly, people with a specific phobia have extreme anxiety or fear when they think about or experience a particular situation. For example, they’re experiencing anxiety when flying on an airplane or seeing a spider.

What Medical Evidence Does The SSA Require For Anxiety Disorders?

Is Anxiety a Disability? Exploring Social Security Benefits for you. Anxiety disorders or panic attacks can lead to severe complications, which makes a person unable to function to their full potential. Therefore, to know more about disability benefits for anxiety, it is important to understand the medical conditions that create a situation that is considered disabling.

Anxiety may affect a person in the following ways:

Firstly, Growing phobias of performing certain tasks or going to particular places, for instance, being afraid to leave the house (agoraphobia)
Complete avoidance of all social situations
In addition, issues at work dealing with co-workers, supervisors, and/or the public
Depression
Suicidal tendencies
Lastly, substance use or abuse

Subsequently, individuals who experience panic attacks may have limited functional capacity in every area. When struck by a panic attack, a person’s ability to function is reduced to a minimum if not eliminated.

How Much is a Disability Check for Anxiety?

In addition, the average disability check for anxiety and other mental disorders was $1,343.88 in 2022. If you qualify for benefits with anxiety, the maximum disability payment for SSDI is $3,822 per month, and the most you can get from SSI is $943 per month in 2024.

These amounts are set by law and are the same for every condition. Qualifying under a different disability or regardless of having multiple conditions won’t increase your payments.

In any event, the actual amount of your disability check will vary based on your work history, other income sources, and the value of any assets you have. Although, it is also possible to qualify for SSDI and SSI at the same time.

3 Tips for Getting Disability With Anxiety

Is anxiety a disability? Exploring Social Security Benefits. Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances of winning your claim:

Particularly, learn more about the types of disability insurance to know what you may qualify for and when to apply.

In effect, work closely with your doctor to ensure your medical records are complete and clearly show the symptoms of your anxiety.

Also, work with a disability lawyer. Lawyers are experts in the application process and will know how to maximize your chance of success. Therefore, people who work with a lawyer are three times more likely to win their disability case. Read more on what disability lawyers do for you.

Which mental illnesses qualify for disability?

In sum, there are two ways to qualify for disability with a mental health condition. First, you can qualify if your impairment is listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book.

Some conditions listed include:

Firstly, neurocognitive disorders (like dementia, Alzheimer’s, or substance-induced cognitive disorders)

Depression

Bipolar disorder

Fourthly, anxiety disorders (like obsessive-compulsive disorders)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Additionally, personality disorders

Learning disabilities

Schizophrenia

Lastly, somatic symptom disorders

For each condition, you’ll need to meet a specific set of requirements that show your condition is sufficiently severe. Though, if your condition is not listed or you don’t meet the requirements, you can still get benefits by showing that you have mental or emotional limitations that prevent you from working.

Is Social Anxiety a Disability?

Yes, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is considered a disability. In other words, if you have severe anxiety symptoms that prevent you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Also, you must also provide proof of U.S. citizenship, and medical documentation of a condition that has kept you from working for at least 12 consecutive months.

SAD is a chronic condition that can be debilitating and cause mental health to suffer. In essence, it is more than just being shy, or not wanting to talk to others. It is an often irrational fear that can be associated with marked reduction in quality of life.

Some symptoms of SAD include:

Firstly, blushing
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Fourthly, speaking
Fear that others will notice your symptoms
Avoiding interactions with strangers or initiating conversations
Lastly, anxiety hindering your ability to function at work or school

For Anxiety to Qualify as a Disability

Is anxiety a disability? Exploring Social Security Benefits. In the same way, the SSA mentions that for anxiety to qualify as a disability, you must have documentation of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and three out of five of these symptoms present:

firstly, restlessness
being easily tired
additionally, trouble concentrating
irritability
muscle tension
lastly, sleep disturbances

For panic disorder or agoraphobia, you must meet at least one of these criteria:

firstly, panic attacks or fear of continued panic attacks, fear or anxiety that’s out of proportion to the actual threat, such as using public transportation, leaving home, being in crowded areas, etc.
lastly, The SSA states that these symptoms must be persistent and severe, and that you have anxiety symptoms medically documented for two years.

There must also be evidence that supports the following:

Firstly, medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial supports, or a structured setting that lessens the symptoms of your disorder.
Due to your mental health condition, you have limited capacity to adapt to changes in your daily life or demands that aren’t already a part of your routine.

Or, your mental state creates an extreme limitation of one or a marked limitation of two of the following criteria:

firstly, your ability to understand, recall, or apply information
your interactions with others
concentration
lastly, managing yourself and your daily activities

What happens if I’m denied disability benefits?

Whereas, if the decision comes back that you’re denied, there are steps you can take to appeal the decision.

According to the SSA, if you’re denied, you have four options to appeal the decision:

Firstly, request a reconsideration: This may require you to upload additional documentation.
Request a hearing: This option would send your case to an administrative law judge.
Request a review of the hearing decision: This option sends your case to an appeals council.
Lastly, file a federal court review: This option allows your case to be reviewed by Federal United States District Court.

You have 60 days after receiving a decision to request any of these appeal options. Happy hunting. Until next time…