A Practitioner's Guide to Social Security Disability Tests for Mental Illness

Proving mental illness in Social Security disability cases is not just about the severity of symptoms. You must also show significant work-related functional limitations in order to win adult cases. The rules for meeting the mental illness criteria changed in January 2017. Periods of decompensation is no longer one of the main deciding factors and managing and adapting oneself is now its own category.

This course, taught by veteran Social Security advocacy practitioner Sarah Dubinsky, will explain the new framework, give examples of work-related functional limitations, explain the role of medical and non-medical sources in meeting the A and B criteria, and give tips on overcoming substance abuse and failure to follow prescribed treatment.

Learning Objectives

1. Review the tests for mental illness in the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs

2. Identify sources of evidence that can build a powerful case

3. Minimize pitfalls, such as gaps in treatment history, substance abuse, and malingering

4. Increase retroactive benefits and fees through reopenings and Childhood Disability Beneficiary cases