What kind of benefits can I get for PTSD?

PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder, has varying levels of seriousness. More serious cases of PTSD can render you unable to work or hold down a job, and if this is the case, then you may need to be able to collect benefits to replace your lost income. 

As a general matter, you may be able to collect social security disability benefits for your PTSD. Your eligibility benefits for such benefits through the SSA require that you:

• Have worked for the required amount of time to be eligible for SSA benefits. The amount of time you have to work to ensure eligibility varies based on your age
• Really do suffer from PTSD. You can prove this by keeping detailed records and by having a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist who is treating you provide your medical records showing your PTSD diagnosis
• Are sufficiently impaired by the PTSD that you are unable to work on a long term basis. The PTSD must make it hard for you to do a job, or for you to do many of the basic tasks that are required to function in your day to day life. The PTSD must also be expected to last for a while, since social security disability benefits are only for long term disabilities, not for short term disabilities.

Proving that your PTSD entitles you to SSA benefits can be a challenge, so you'll want to make sure you have a lawyer who can assist you in gathering the evidence you need for your claim to the SSA to be successful.