There are several benefits programs available to Michigan residents who are dealing with disabilities, including mental disabilities. One program is called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a federal program that is considered a form of insurance. SSDI benefits come from the Social Security taxes taken out of your paycheck when you are working; if you become disabled, you may be eligible for SSDI payments based on your contributions to the program.
If you want to know more about mental disability benefits in Southfield and investigate if you or a loved one is eligible for SSDI, our team at Thurswell Law could help you. Since 1968, our SSDI attorneys have been assisting clients like you with their legal concerns.
What Mental Disabilities Qualify for Assistance?
Several different types of mental disabilities are recognized by the Social Security Administration when determining eligibility for benefits. These are separated into eleven different categories—neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, depressive, bipolar, and related disorders, intellectual disorders, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, personality and impulse-control disorders, autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
In Southfield, applying for mental disability benefits involves submitting medical evidence showing proof of your diagnosis and how it affects your mental functioning, especially concerning your ability to function in a work setting. The administrators evaluate how your condition affects your ability to understand, remember, and apply information, as well as how you concentrate, interact with others, and adapt in different situations. An experienced attorney could help you obtain and compile the necessary evidence to demonstrate how your mental disability affects your ability to work and support yourself.
Factors Affecting Eligibility for SSDI Benefits
In Southfield, the initial decision regarding your medical disability and eligibility for the federal SSDI program is made by the Michigan Disability Determination Service. To be eligible for SSDI, you must have a sufficient and recent work history where Social Security taxes were paid. The specific work requirements vary based on your age at the time of disability, but usually include working for five out of the 10 years preceding your disability, with certain exceptions for younger workers.
To assess your eligibility for SSDI, the agency asks several questions. They first determine if you are currently employed and whether your monthly earnings exceed a specific limit, which may prevent qualification. If you are not working in your chosen field, the agency considers whether you are capable of performing your previous work or another type of job, taking into account your age, education, work experience, and medical condition.
The assessor also needs information about the ways your mental disability affects your life and the severity of your condition. Typically, the condition will have significantly impacted your ability to do basic work tasks for a period of at least one year.
Contact a Southfield SSDI Attorney Today To Discuss Mental Disability Benefits
When you are dealing with a mental disability, many tasks may feel overwhelming. But the good news is that you need not struggle on your own to understand the process of accessing help.
Contact us today if you have questions about your eligibility for mental disability benefits in Southfield or need assistance collecting your benefits. Experience gets results, and our Thurswell Law attorneys could help you understand your rights and assess the strength of your case.
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