Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI Benefits for the Mentally Ill

Of the more than 14 million people in the U.S. currently receiving Social Security Disability ("SSD") or Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefits, about 33% qualified in whole or in part due to the severity of their mental illness. However, proving that a client's mental illness symptoms are severe enough to prevent him or her from working at even a low-stress job is fraught with challenges, from hostile agency reviewers and psychologists at the initial evaluation to skeptical Administrative Law Judges at the hearing level.

Stephen M. Jackel, a New York City attorney with 18 years in the field of Social Security Disability law, first provides an overview of the administrative process for obtaining disability benefits, then explains the requirements for establishing disability based on mental illness, and finally offers some examples of both potential pitfalls and winning strategies.

Learning Objectives:

I.     Understand the basics of Social Security Disability and SSI benefits

II.    Define the mental impairments that qualify for Social Security disability benefits

III.   Explore the evidence necessary to prove a claim for SSD or SSI benefits based on mental illness