When people think about disabilities, they usually picture a physical injury like a lost limb or paralysis. However, personality disorders and other mental health conditions can be equally as harmful as a physical disability. To make matters worse for people dealing with severe personality disorders, proving these disabilities to the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be challenging, making it harder for those with these conditions to get the disability benefits they need.
Disability Advocates Group in Los Angeles, CA, understands the struggles people with severe personality disorders face in their daily lives. If you struggle with one of these conditions, our Social Security disability attorneys can help you get the benefits you need to take care of yourself. Social Security disability claims are our firm’s core practice area, and our team has extensive experience with these kinds of cases, including many claims for mental health impairments. We’ll handle the legal work so you can focus on other issues. Call us today in Los Angeles, CA, or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
Can You Claim Social Security Disability Benefits for a Personality Disorder?
Many people don’t realize that the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to people with mental health conditions, including personality disorders. The SSA’s list of approved impairments for adults includes a section on mental disorders, and personality disorders fall under that category. So, yes, you can claim Social Security disability benefits for a personality disorder if you meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Claiming these benefits can be challenging, though, so we recommend you work with a knowledgeable attorney to give yourself the best chance of success.
Social Security Disability Requirements for Personality Disorders
Anyone wanting to obtain Social Security disability benefits for a personality disorder must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Under SSA guidelines, someone may qualify for disability benefits if they have a qualifying physical or mental health condition that is fatal, has already lasted for 12 months, or is expected to last 12 months. Furthermore, the physical or mental health condition must prevent the individual from being able to earn a living.
There are also specific medical requirements applicants must meet to obtain Social Security disability benefits. According to the SSA, the requirements for people with personality disorders include:
Medical documentation of a “pervasive pattern” of one or more of the following mental health symptoms:
- Disregard for and violations of other people’s rights
- Inability to maintain stable interpersonal relationships
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Suspiciousness and distrust of others
- Excessive attention-seeking and emotionality
- Detachment from social relationships
- An excessive need to be taken care of
- Recurring impulsive, aggressive outbursts
- A preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism
Along with these requirements, to obtain Social Security disability benefits for a personality disorder, a person must provide medical evidence of “extreme limitation” of one or “marked limitation” of two of the following mental functions:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information.
- Interacting with others.
- Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace.
- Adapting or managing themself
Finally, anyone applying for Social Security disability benefits must have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes. Individuals typically must earn 40 credits to qualify for benefits, and they must have earned 20 of those credits within the past 10 years.
How Much Are Social Security Disability Benefits for a Personality Disorder?
Social Security disability benefits are based on an applicant’s lifetime earnings, which means the amount can vary significantly among individuals. That said, people who qualify for disability benefits may also qualify for Medicare to help cover their medical treatments. Finally, people who qualify for disability benefits may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provides additional financial assistance for people with little income or other financial resources.
How Long Do Social Security Disability Benefits Last?
Social Security disability benefits usually last until the disabled person dies, recovers from their disability, or returns to work. However, the SSA also offers a trial work period that allows people to keep their benefits while they try to return to the workforce. This system lets people keep their benefits while they see if they can earn enough money to support themselves.
Qualifying Personality Disorders
The SSA reviews disability applications on a case-by-case basis, so having a personality disorder does not automatically make someone eligible for disability benefits. That said, some qualifying personality disorders may include:
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
How Our Los Angeles Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help You
Obtaining Social Security disability benefits isn’t easy, particularly for mental health conditions, because there may not be physical symptoms that accompany the disorder. If you have a personality disorder, our Social Security disability attorneys can help you with your claim by:
- Gathering medical evidence – You’ll need thorough medical documentation of your condition to obtain disability benefits, and we can gather records from your doctors, mental health professionals, and others involved in treating your condition.
- Handling the paperwork – Social Security disability claims require massive amounts of paperwork, and a mistake on any of these forms can jeopardize your case. We can handle all the paperwork to make sure everything is filed correctly and quickly.
- Representing you in appeals – The Social Security Administration rejects most people’s initial disability claims. However, a rejection doesn’t mean you should give up, or you don’t have options. We can file an appeal and represent you throughout the process to give you the best chance of claiming the disability benefits you need.
The Disability Advocates Group understands the needs of people with severe mental health disorders and is committed to helping you get the financial assistance you need to thrive. Call us today or reach out online for a free case evaluation.
