Navigating Social Security Disability For Mental Health Impairments

When people think of Social Security disability, they often think only of workers suffering from physical ailments; however, a reported more than two million workers receive disability benefits in connection with depression and other mental health issues, which reflects close to 30 percent of all disability recipients. As a result, many people suffering from depression or another mental health issue could receive assistance, but do not realize it.

Indeed, disability payments are meant to cover workers who cannot do work as they did before, cannot adjust to new work due to their condition(s), and whose disability is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Disability payments provide monthly checks and access to Medicare health coverage.

Record-High Payment Delays Reported
Still, proving that you qualify for these payments and coverage, and receiving payments that you are due, on time, can be challenging: According to the most recent audit of the Social Security Administration, the agency was found lacking when it came to “liquidating damages” in a timely manner, a serious oversight, which means that those who deserve these payments are not receiving them on time. Some, in fact, wait a decade or more, and this can have disastrous consequences for themselves and their families.

According to the latest statistics, as of August 2022, the average wait time to simply receive an initial decision was more than six months, reflecting a wait time more than three times longer than it was a decade ago. In addition, the average disability claimant waits more than two years for a final decision, and more than 10,000 people die each year without receiving any answer at all on their claims. Unfortunately, unless the Social Security Administration receives additional funding from Congress, it is estimated that claimants will only be waiting longer to hear back on their claims.

Macon, Georgia Social Security Disability Attorneys

As a result, it may be those who suffer from mental health impairments who face the most difficult time receiving disability payments, especially if they are retired and already receiving retirement benefits. In addition, those who are currently receiving retirement benefits, but who discover that an existing condition may qualify them for the higher disability benefits, may also be facing daunting wait times, delays, and even unjust denials from the administration.

If you are facing a mental health or physical-related impairment/disability, it can be daunting trying to figure out how you will make ends meet. In addition to medical expenses, there are also basic cost of living concerns to worry about for you and your family. Contact our Macon Social Security disability attorneys at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill today to find out how we can help.

Sources:

oig.ssa.gov/assets/uploads/a-15-21-51117summary.pdf

cnbc.com/2022/09/16/long-social-security-service-waits-signal-need-for-more-funds.html