Anxiety Disability Benefits
If you have an anxiety disorder that interferes with your ability to work, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, you must provide sufficient evidence showing how the condition affects your daily activities and prevents you from working.
Our compassionate team at National Disability Alliance has extensive experience handling Social Security Disability claims over anxiety and can help you with an initial application or an appeal. To learn more and to begin your claim, contact us at 833-693-4722 today.
On this Page
- Are Disability Benefits Available for Anxiety?
- Why NDA Is the Right Partner for Your Disability Case
- What Is the SSA Criteria for Anxiety Disability Claim Approval?
- Available Disability Benefits for Anxiety Disorders
- Applying for Anxiety Disability Benefits
- When You Should Consider Legal Help With Your Claim
- Get Support With Your Anxiety Disability Claim Today
Are Disability Benefits Available for Anxiety?
It is possible to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits with anxiety. However, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Social Security Administration. Anxiety disorders can typically qualify if they are severe enough. The types of conditions that may qualify include the following:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
Why NDA Is the Right Partner for Your Disability Case
National Disability Alliance helps adults with disabilities, including those in underserved communities, pursue the Social Security benefits they’ve earned. Our team includes former SSA professionals and uses cutting-edge technology to make the process faster and easier. In addition, our services are risk-free because you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Our experienced Delaware disability attorneys have in-depth knowledge of how the SSA operates and the criteria you must meet. When you partner with us, you’ll get personalized support from a team with a proven track record of success in obtaining benefits and overturning denials.
What Is the SSA Criteria for Anxiety Disability Claim Approval?
To assess disability claims, the SSA uses its Blue Book, which lists qualifying conditions and the medical criteria applicants must establish. It evaluates anxiety claims under Listing 12.06 – Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. You must meet the requirements of paragraph A of the listing and either paragraph B or C. Under paragraph A, you must provide medical documentation to showcase at least one of the following conditions:
- Generalized anxiety disorder characterized by three or more of the following:
- Restlessness,
- Ease of fatigue
- Concentration difficulties
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance
- Panic disorder characterized by at least one of the following:
- Panic attacks followed by persistent concern or worry about additional attacks or their consequences
- A disproportionate fear or anxiety about at least two different situations, such as crowds or open spaces
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by at least one of the following:
- Involuntary, intrusive, or unwanted thoughts
- Repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety
In addition, paragraph B requires you to prove extreme limitation in one, or marked limitation in two, of the following areas:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
- Adapting or managing oneself
If you do not meet the qualifications of paragraph B, you can still be eligible under paragraph C by showing you have a severe and persistent anxiety disorder with at least two years of medically documented history showing both of the following:
- Ongoing treatment or therapy that helps manage the disorder
- A minimal capacity to adapt to changes or increased demands in your environment
It is crucial to show evidence of these criteria through consistent treatment records, medical notes, and any hospitalizations.
Available Disability Benefits for Anxiety Disorders
The SSA oversees two federal disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. If you cannot work because of an anxiety disorder, you might qualify for one or both.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked long enough and paid a sufficient amount into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. SSDI is based on your work history rather than your financial need, and monthly payments will depend on your past earnings.
SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and financial resources. You do not have to meet any work history requirements and need not have paid Social Security taxes to qualify for SSI. If you qualify, your monthly payment is set by federal or state standards, depending on where you live.
To qualify for either SSDI or SSI, your anxiety must prevent you from working at substantial gainful activity.
Applying for Anxiety Disability Benefits
The application process for disability benefits will require you to collect thorough medical evidence and documentation to show the existence and impact of your condition. Detailing functional limitations is crucial to convincing the SSA that your anxiety has a severe, long-term impact on your day-to-day living. A seasoned disability lawyer or advocate could help with this process by ensuring all vital documentation is accounted for and included in your claim.
Why Do Anxiety Claims Get Denied?
An anxiety disability claim may be denied for several reasons, including the following:
- Lack of Medical Evidence: The SSA requires detailed, consistent records showing diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and the condition’s impact on daily life. Claims often fail due to missing or insufficient documentation.
- Failure to Follow up With Prescribed Treatment: Failing to follow your doctor’s treatment plan without a valid reason may lead to the SSA denying your claim. The SSA may presume that your condition could improve with continued treatment.
- Symptoms Not Severe Enough: If the SSA determines that your anxiety does not significantly limit your ability to work full-time, it may deny your claim. For example, your claim will be rejected if you can still perform basic tasks or hold a part-time job despite your symptoms.
- Condition Hasn’t Lasted Long Enough: To qualify for disability benefits, your condition must be expected to last at least 12 months. Unfortunately, short-term or situational anxiety does not usually meet the standard.
- Failure to Demonstrate Functional Limitations: The SSA examines how your condition affects your ability to concentrate, interact with others, manage yourself, and complete tasks. If your file does not connect your anxiety to these limitations, it may not meet Listing 12.06’s criteria.
- Substantial Gainful Activity: Continuing to work and earn over the SSA’s monthly income limit will typically lead to a denial of your claim.
When You Should Consider Legal Help With Your Claim
Anxiety claims can be challenging to prove; many are denied initially. A disability lawyer can do the following for you:
- Answer your questions about the process
- Gather medical records and documentation
- File your claim
- Appeal a denial
Reach out for a free consultation to secure help with your application today.
Get Support With Your Anxiety Disability Claim Today
If anxiety symptoms are disrupting your work or you have already been denied disability benefits, you might feel overwhelmed and defeated. We are here to help. National Disability Alliance is dedicated to helping Americans with disabilities get the Social Security benefits they have earned. We will listen to your story and gather the essential evidence to help you secure benefits.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our experienced team.
Helpful Resources To Get You Started
Types of Disabilities
Learn which conditions qualify for SSDI and SSI – and how medical documentation plays a key role.
Types of Disabilities
Disability Benefits
Explore the benefits available through Social Security Disability and what you can expect to receive.
Disability Benefits
Application Process
A step-by-step look at how to apply for disability benefits – and how we can help simplify the process.
Application Process
FAQs
Have questions? Find quick answers to the most common disability questions we hear from applicants.
FAQs
