Social Security Disability & Depression: A Comprehensive Guide

Depression is a psychiatric condition characterized by sad mood, lack of concentration, changes in eating or sleeping habits and lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Some people experience such severe and persistent symptoms that they are unable to work and need to file for Social Security disability.

Prepare Before Applying

• The Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at very specific criteria to determine disability due to depression. Study these criteria. Also, take time to gather documentation that the SSA routinely requests. This information can be found on the Social Security website.

Gather Statements

• Ask your psychiatrist or psychologist to write a narrative statement of your condition based on the SSA criteria for disability due to depression. Also ask people who know you well to write statements describing how depression affects your ability to function.

Get Legal Representation

• According to Disability Secrets, 85 percent of initial appeals, which go to the state's disability determination services, are rejected. The second appeal is heard by a federal administrative law judge and is more likely to be successful. Disability Secrets states that if you retain legal counsel for this hearing, you can increase your chances of winning your case by more than 50 percent.