Close up of african american business woman hands writing on a disability documentation for mnetal condition

The Power of Documentation: Proving Mental Qualifications for Disability

By Michelle Shvarts
Principal Attorney

What a Disability Attorney Can Do For You

Securing disability benefits for mental health conditions in Los Angeles can be a challenging process, but one powerful tool stands out—documentation. Thorough and comprehensive documentation plays a crucial role in substantiating mental health qualifications and helping to ensure that individuals receive the disability benefits they deserve. Let’s explore the significance of documentation and how it can make a difference in disability claims for those individuals pursuing benefits in Los Angeles.

The Power of Documentation: Proving Mental Qualifications for Disability Benefits in Los Angeles

Documentation is the backbone of any disability claim. For mental health conditions, creating a clear and detailed medical history is essential. Regular visits to mental health professionals, therapists, psychiatrists, and other specialists contribute to a comprehensive record that outlines the nature, severity, and progression of the condition. Establishing a clear medical history is critical.

It is also important to provide your specific diagnosis and document it thoroughly. Documentation should clearly state the diagnosed mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or any other condition affecting your ability to work. Furthermore, treatment plans and therapies should be detailed as well. Be sure to include documentation of treatment plans, therapeutic interventions, and medications prescribed by your treating mental health professionals. This information not only validates the severity of the condition, but also demonstrates your commitment to managing your mental health.

Make record of your functional limitations. Clearly articulate how your mental health condition limits your ability to perform daily activities and work-related activities. Verify that your treating professionals are including this type of information in your records. Documentation should provide insights into functional limitations such as concentration difficulties, social interaction challenges, and any other factors affecting employability.

Documentation should incorporate observations from mental health professionals. Statements and observations from mental health professionals, therapists, and counselors can carry significant weight in disability claims. These professionals can provide expert opinions on the impact of the mental health condition on a person’s ability to work and carry out family activities.

Individuals themselves can play a critical role in documenting things that can be pivotal in pursuing disability benefits. You can track the impact your mental health condition has on your daily life. Personal journals or records that track the impact of the mental health condition on daily life can be powerful evidence. Individuals can document their experiences, struggles, and achievements, offering a personal perspective that complements the clinical documentation.

Gathering witness statements can also be helpful when pursuing disability benefits for a mental health disorder. Statements from friends, family members, or coworkers who have observed the impact of the mental health condition on a person’s life can provide valuable external validation. These statements can serve as additional evidence supporting the disability claims.

Contact Our California Disability Attorney Today

In Los Angeles, where the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming, individuals seeking disability benefits for mental health conditions must harness the power of documentation. The team at Disability Advocates can assist you in gathering the necessary documentation and presenting your claim in the strongest possible light. Contact us today.

About the Author
Ms. Shvarts is the managing attorney for Disability Advocates Group. She opened Disability Advocates Group to assist individuals who became disabled and unable to work to obtain the benefits they need and deserve.  Ms. Shvarts and the rest of the team at Disability Advocates Group are dedicated to assisting individuals obtain Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.