Ohio Social Security Disability And SSI Legal Blog

Can you get disability insurance for mental health?

Ohio residents like you understand how disability benefits work. But often, people only consider physical disabilities. It is true that a physical disability gets in the way of life. They are often visible, too. This sets them apart from mental disabilities, which are almost always invisible.

But just because mental disabilities are invisible, this does not mean they do not impact you. They can still derail your life in a big way. This is why Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) covers mental health issues.

Mental health disorders eligible for SSDI

The Social Security looks at a list of impairments eligible for SSDI benefits. They also note that several categories of mental health disorders qualify for benefits. This includes:

  • Psychotic disorders
  • Organic disorders
  • Anxiety related disorders
  • Affective disorders
  • Somatoform disorders
  • Mental retardation
  • Substance addiction disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Pervasive development or autistic disorders

What falls under these disorders?

This covers a vast array of potential mental health issues. For example, phobias, fears and panic attacks fall under anxiety related disorders. So do different types of anxiety. Depression and bipolar disorder are mood disorders, or affective disorders. Learning disorders that severely stunt a person’s mental growth also count. This is typically categorized as a developmental disorder, autism or mental retardation.

These standards categorize drug addiction and alcoholism as addiction disorders. Finally, there are somatoform disorders. This includes any injury or illness that does not have an identifiable cause.

If you have any disorder or issue that falls into these categories, what next? It means you can apply for SSDI benefits. Having this financial support may help you handle the struggles of daily life.