Depression can affect more than your mood. Severe depression can make it hard to focus, follow directions, keep a schedule or work with other people. These problems may make it hard to keep a job. If depression has stopped you from working, you may be asking whether depression could make you eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not approve an SSDI claim based only on a diagnosis. Medical evidence must show how depression affects your ability to function and work. For SSDI, you generally also need enough work history and Social Security work credits.
When can depression qualify for SSDI?
The SSA looks at how depression affects your ability to function at work and in daily life. Severe symptoms may affect your ability to:
- Focus on tasks or remember instructions
- Work with others or respond to supervisors
- Keep a regular work schedule
- Deal with changes at work
- Finish tasks without frequent help
Some people with depression may meet or medically equal SSA Listing 12.04 for depressive, bipolar and related disorders. This listing looks at symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest and changes in sleep or energy. It also looks at how much the condition limits areas such as focusing, working with others and handling daily tasks.
Meeting the listing is not always required to qualify for benefits. The SSA may look at what work you can still do based on your symptoms, age, education and work experience.
Generally, the impairment must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 continuous months or be expected to result in death. The impairment must also keep you from working at a level the SSA considers substantial, rather than simply making your job more difficult.
What evidence can support a depression claim?
A diagnosis alone may not show how depression affects your ability to work. Regular treatment can create medical records that show your symptoms, treatment and changes over time.
Other evidence may also help show the effect of depression, including:
- Records from treating clinicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other qualified medical sources, as applicable
- Records showing changes in medication or treatment
- Records describing problems with focus or social interaction
- Work records showing problems related to depression
Keeping consistent medical and work records can give the SSA a clearer picture of your condition. Legal assistance can also help identify missing evidence and explain how your symptoms affect your ability to work.
When depression stops you from working
A depression diagnosis is only one part of an SSDI claim. What matters is how the condition affects your ability to function and keep working over time. Changes in treatment, repeated work problems or limits noted by medical sources may help show the real impact of your symptoms. Looking at these details together can give a fuller picture of why depression has made steady employment difficult.