Understanding Mental Illness and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

This program, taught by Traci Salami, a staff attorney with Mobilization for Justice, Inc.'s Mental Health Law Project, and Ana Lazo, a paralegal with the Government Benefits Project, will review the Mental Impairment Listings under the Social Security Administration. The presenters will discuss the criteria required to meet the listings, including, but not limited to: symptoms, evidence from medical sources, the applicant, schools, vocational programs, and work-related programs. Participants will learn how to use evidence to avoid common pitfalls in claiming SSI benefits for mental illness, identify biases from Administrative Law Judges and other Social Security personnel, and zealously advocate for their clients in SSA hearings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Determine whether a client meets the mental impairment listings   
2. Use evidence from various sources to the Mental Impairment Listings
3. Advocate for clients with mental impairments before the Social Security Administration