Mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder can present numerous challenges, and many individuals living with mood disorders struggle to maintain steady employment. If your condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which can provide essential financial support. However, applying for SSDI based on a mental health condition involves a detailed and labor-intensive process. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires extensive documentation and evidence, and the agency denies many initial claims.

Working with a disability lawyer who’s familiar with mental health claims can help you avoid common mistakes that get claims denied and improve your chances of getting your claim approved the first time around. Attorney Justen Grech has decades of experience advocating for disabled Michiganders and helping them receive the benefits they deserve. Contact Grech Law Firm today for a free consultation and get the guidance you need through every stage of your claim.

How Does the Social Security Administration Determine Disability?

The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether someone qualifies as disabled. First, it determines whether the applicant is working. If you’re earning more than a set monthly amount, the agency will likely deny your claim. If you’re not working, the SSA then investigates whether the severity of your condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic work-related activities.

Next, the SSA compares your condition to its Listing of Impairments, also known as the “Blue Book.” If your mood disorder meets the criteria in the listing, you may qualify automatically. If it doesn’t, the agency continues to evaluate your case.

The fourth step looks at whether you can return to any past work. If your mood disorder prevents you from performing jobs you’ve held before, the SSA moves on to the final step: determining whether you can adjust to any other work. The agency will consider your age, education, and work experience in evaluating your work abilities.

Throughout this process, the SSA heavily relies on your medical records, treatment history, and statements from doctors and other professionals. Applicants with mood disorders can build the strongest possible disability case by submitting clear evidence of how the condition affects their daily functioning. A Michigan SSDI attorney at Grech Law Firm can support you through this process.

Which Mood Disorders Qualify for SSD?

The SSA recognizes the potentially disabling nature of several different mood disorders. To qualify, you must show that your condition meets the SSA’s criteria and severely limits your ability to function in a work setting:

  • Major Depressive Disorder – You must show at least five symptoms, such as depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of worthlessness. These symptoms must cause marked limitations in areas like understanding information, interacting with others, or managing yourself.
  • Bipolar Disorder I or II – To qualify, you must experience episodes of mania or hypomania, along with depressive episodes. Symptoms include inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and involvement in high-risk behavior. The SSA looks for a documented pattern of mood instability that results in extreme limitation of functioning or repeated episodes of decompensation.
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – This involves a chronically depressed mood lasting for at least two years, with symptoms such as poor appetite, low energy, and low self-esteem. The condition must be persistent and significantly interfere with your ability to perform work activities.
  • Cyclothymic Disorder – You must show frequent periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms over two years that impair social or occupational functioning.

How to Apply for SSD

Applying for Social Security Disability based on a mood disorder involves several detailed steps:

  • Step 1: Gather Medical Evidence – Collect all records related to your diagnosis and treatment. This includes psychiatric evaluations, therapy notes, hospitalization records, and prescription history. The SSA needs a clear picture of how your condition affects your daily functioning.
  • Step 2: Document Work History – Prepare a detailed record of your past jobs, including job titles, responsibilities, and dates of employment. The SSA uses this to determine whether you can return to any past work.
  • Step 3: Complete the SSDI Application – Submit your application online, by phone, or at your local Social Security office. You’ll need to include personal information, medical history, and work background.
  • Step 4: Cooperate with Consultative Exams – The SSA may ask you to attend an exam with a doctor of the agency’s choosing. Attend all scheduled appointments and be honest about your symptoms and limitations.
  • Step 5: Wait for a Decision and Prepare for Appeal if Needed – Initial decisions can take months. If denied, you can request a reconsideration or hearing.

The SSDI application process is detailed and often overwhelming, and submitting accurate and thorough documentation is key to avoiding delays or denials. Working with an experienced SSDI attorney from Grech Law Firm can help you avoid missteps and strengthen your claim.

Let Grech Law Firm Help with Your SSDI Application

When a mood disorder prevents you from working, you can benefit from the assistance of a Michigan Social Security Disability lawyer who knows the application process, understands what the SSA looks for, and can help improve your likelihood of getting your application approved without having to go through a lengthy appeal process.

Grech Law Firm assists clients in Utica, MI, and the surrounding communities with every stage of the SSDI process, starting with the initial application. We’ll listen to your story to understand your daily limitations, review your medical records and employment history, and work with you to prepare a detailed and accurate claim.

If you already applied for SSDI but your application was denied, we can handle the appeals process, including gathering additional evidence and representing you at hearings. Mood disorder claims often hinge on subjective symptoms that are hard to prove. We’ll work with your healthcare providers to build strong documentation, including functional assessments that support how your condition limits your ability to work. We’ll also help you get ready for any consultative exams or interviews the SSA requires.

Don’t let the complexity of the SSDI application process prevent you from taking action to secure the benefits you need. Let Grech Law Firm work with you to document the effects of your mood disorder, prepare your SSDI claim or appeal, and support you throughout the process. Contact us today to get started with a free initial consultation.