Mental illnesses may have serious consequences for your life in Los Angeles. A mental illness may be every bit as serious as a physical disorder. Many mental illnesses have the potential to prevent you from working, which could qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) could deny your benefits claim. In this case, you still have the option to appeal your denial. A Los Angeles mental illness lawyer may be able to help with your appeal. You may be able to get legal assistance on your side by calling (800) 794-0444 to speak with a team member at the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm.
Mental Illnesses That May Cause a Disability
There are many different mental disorders that impact individuals living in and around Los Angeles. The SSA provides a listing of mental illnesses that may qualify you to receive disability benefits. They arrange these disorders into broad categories, including:
- Neurocognitive disorders such as dementia
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Bipolar and depressive disorders
- Intellectual disorders that restrict intellectual functioning
- Obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders
- Somatic symptom disorders such as illness anxiety disorder
- Impulse control or personality disorders
- Disorders related to the autism spectrum
- Disorders related to neurodevelopment such as Tourette syndrome
- Eating disorders such as bulimia
- Stressor-related and trauma-related disorders
As you can see, many disorders could allow you to receive disability benefits through the SSA. However, it may not be as simple as identifying your disorder to get compensation. You may need to provide extensive documentation related to your condition to have your claim approved by the SSA. A Los Angeles mental illness lawyer may be able to help you apply for benefits or appeal a denial.
Applying for Disability Benefits for a Mental Illness
To secure disability benefits for a mental disorder, you must demonstrate to the SSA that:
You Have a Mental Disorder
You may not receive disability benefits if you cannot provide proof of your disorder. This means you must work with a medical professional to receive a diagnosis. The SSA may consider information about your disorder as provided by:
- Your primary care physician
- Your psychologist
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Clinical social workers
- Clinical mental health counselors
These individuals may be able to provide information about your symptoms, your mental health history, and the results of any clinical assessments you went through. You may even need to provide the results of lab tests.
You Have Sought Treatment for Your Disorder
To get compensation, you must be able to show that you are attempting to treat your mental illness. This may involve your doctor providing information about:
- Mediations you take for your condition
- Any side-effects of the mediations
- The types of therapy you receive
Note that SSA may deny your SSDI claim if you have not received any treatment for your mental disorder. The SSA may claim that your condition would improve if you received treatment and that you would, therefore, not require SSDI benefits.
Your Disorder Prevents You from Working
Many people who are dealing with a mental disorder are still able to work and earn a living. These individuals would not qualify for SSDI benefits in Los Angeles, as these benefits replace the wages you would be earning if you could work. This means you must provide information about the severity of your condition.
You may also need to provide information related to the expected duration of your condition. If your condition could resolve within a year, you may not qualify for SSDI disability benefits in Los Angeles.
Additional Support for a Mental Illness Claim in California
You may build support for a mental illness claim in Los Angeles by providing information supplied by medical professionals. The SSA may also consider information supplied by non-medical persons in your life. For example, you can supply them with details from:
- People who know you, including your friends and family
- People who work with you, including your employers
- People who go to school with you, including your teachers
A Los Angeles mental illness lawyer may be able to help you gather evidence to build a claim to get disability benefits. You may also contact the team at the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm if your initial claim ended in a denial of your benefits.
Here at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we do not shy away from taking on tough cases to help clients in your position.
For a free legal consultation with a Mental Illness Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Possible Compensation Through SSDI Benefits
You may receive compensation to make up for your lost wages if you apply for SSDI benefits in Los Angeles. You should be aware that Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are only available if you worked before you became disabled. This is because you must pay into the SSA system before you are eligible to receive SSDI benefits.
It’s also important that you understand that SSDI benefits are not supposed to replace your full paycheck. Instead, they provide you with a portion of your average pay, up to the current limit, while you are unable to work.
If you do not qualify for SSDI benefits, you may be able to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. These benefits are not tied to your work history. You may qualify for SSI benefits if you have limited resources. You may speak with a Los Angeles mental illness lawyer about applying for both SSDI and SSI benefits if you are dealing with a mental disorder but do not have a significant income base for SSDI.
Los Angeles Mental Illness Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call a Los Angeles Mental Illness Lawyer Today
Get help on your side if you want to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits in Los Angeles. Start getting help from a Los Angeles mental illness lawyer right now. You may reach out to the team at the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm if you call (800) 794-0444 or complete our online contact form.
Speak with a team member right now to get a free case assessment regarding your unique needs.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form