Des Plaines, Illinois, Mental Illness and Social Security Disability Lawyers

Bi-Polar Disorder - Depression - Anxiety - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Mental illness is recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in their list of impairments that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, simply being on the list does not mean that people who suffer from mental illness such as bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) automatically qualify for SSDI or SSI.

Experienced Chicago Area SSDI and SSI Attorneys

At the Des Plaines, Illinois, law firm of Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., our attorneys have served SSDI and SSI claimants in Chicago, Illinois, and across the nation. We have assisted numerous clients in pursuing successful Social Security Disability claims related to mental illness.

While the application process for SSDI and SSI is intended to allow claimants to handle their own claims, especially as they relate to listed impairments such as mental illness, only 35% of SSDI and SSI applications are approved at their initial filing. As experienced Social Security Disability lawyers, we understand the application process, what information needs to be presented, and how to fill out application forms for mental illness including bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder.

Social Security Disability Insurance and Mental Illness

Even people diagnosed with a mental illness by a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, or psychiatric social worker, need to present evidence of the severity of their mental illness and their impaired ability to function to the Social Security Administration. Common sources of evidence for mental illness include medical evidence, information from the individual, work attempts, mental status examination, psychological testing, and other information provided by professional health care providers and family members.

In addition, to qualify for SSDI or SSI, it is often necessary to provide information related to the effects of medication on mental illness. Many drugs used to treat mental illness control symptoms such as hallucinations, impaired attention, restlessness, or hyperactivity. However, that does not necessarily eliminate the functional limitation of the individual with a mental illness such as bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder.

Assessing Mental Illness for the Purpose of SSDI and SSI

Simply being diagnosed with a mental illness is not enough to qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. The Social Security Administration takes several factors into consideration before granting Social Security Disability Benefits of Supplemental Security Insurance Benefits. These factors include the following:

• Activities of Daily Living including adaptive activities such as cleaning, shopping, cooking, taking public transportation, paying bills, maintaining a residence, caring appropriately for your grooming and hygiene, using telephones and directories, and using a post office
• Social Functioning such as your capacity to interact independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis with other individuals
• Concentration, Persistence, or Pace such as the ability to sustain focused attention and concentration sufficiently long enough to permit the timely and appropriate completion of tasks commonly found in work settings
• Episodes of Decompensation including exacerbations or temporary increases in symptoms or signs accompanied by a loss of adaptive functioning, as manifested by difficulties in performing activities of daily living, maintaining social relationships, or maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace

At Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., we have the knowledge, skill, and experience to help individuals and families dealing with mental illness get SSDI or SSI benefits.

Contact our Experienced Des Plaines, Illinois,SSDI and SSI Mental Illness Lawyers

If you or a family member suffers from a mental illness such as bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, or post traumatic stress disorder that prevents you from working, please contact the Chicago SSI and SSDI lawyers at Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd. We can be reached by phone toll free at 1-888-LAW-0600 and locally by calling (847) 299-0008. Our attorneys can also be contacted by e-mail or by filling out the intake form on our Contact Us page.