When Can I Receive Delaware Disability Benefits for Mental Illness?
Mental illness is something not everyone always agrees on, leaving some people not knowing whether Delaware disability benefits even exist for mental illness. The good news is that there are disability benefits programs offered for people with diagnosed mental disorders, but the challenge is making sure you meet all the eligibility requirements set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Whether you qualify depends heavily on how much your illness hinders your ability to work. Consider asking a Delaware Disability Attorney for help if you find yourself stuck.
WHAT MENTAL DISORDERS QUALIFY FOR DELAWARE DISABILITY BENEFITS?
Not every mental disorder may qualify for disability benefits. The ones that do are usually the ones that come with major effects on a person’s ability to work for a basic income and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Delaware mental disorder disability benefits are most often offered for people with:
- Anxiety disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Schizophrenia disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Affective disorders like depression
- Intellectual disability disorders
- Substance dependence disorders
- Organic mental disorders that impact the brain
People may have a harder time qualifying for disability benefits with personality disorders and substance abuse disorders due to the nature of these disorders. Most personality disorders are lifelong but may not be deemed severe enough to prevent someone from
finding alternative work that allows them to make a basic income. However, personality disorders that directly cause impulsive or odd behaviors out of the person’s control may qualify.
Substance abuse disorders are complex when it comes to disability insurance because the disorder is not explicitly listed which means you will need to qualify for another mental disorder listing, neurological disorder, or other disability in the SSA Blue Book. As for the other mental disorders, each one comes with a different set of requirements that can be found in the Blue Book.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DELAWARE DISABILITY BENEFITS
The Delaware Blue Book of mental disabilities is the first place you should look when you want to figure out whether your mental disorder could qualify you for disability benefits. First, you will want to find the category you best fit into:
- Neurocognitive disorders (i.e. Dementia)
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Intellectual disorder
- Somatic disorders
- Personality or impulse disorders
- Autism disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e. Tourette’s)
- Eating disorders
- Trauma disorders (i.e. PTSD)
The general Delaware disability eligibility requirements for most of these disorders is an official diagnosis by a trusted healthcare professional along with any medical evidence you have to support the diagnosis. You will also need evidence that details the severity of your mental disorder and how this impacts your ability to work. This can be achieved through documents about your medications, symptoms, and how you function.
DISABILITY ATTORNEY IN DELAWARE
You may not have to worry about income if your mental illness is severe enough. Talking with a trusted Disability Lawyer in Delaware can help you figure out what you need to qualify. Call Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (302) 295-5050 for a free consultation today. Our team of Delaware disability attorneys is located in Wilmington, Delaware and can help you collect the evidence you need for a strong disability claim.