Disability Benefits for a Mental Illness

The filing procedure is the same for mental disabilities as for any disability—forms are to be filled out at either the official SSA website (www.socialsecurity.gov), by telephone, or in person.  A third party may apply for individuals who are unable to apply for themselves due to the severity of illness.  The paperwork, including a listing of illnesses for which benefits are provided, is available online or as physical forms.

Legal Help for Your Claim

Lawyers are available to help determine the level of benefits that ought to be afforded to a person who suffers from mental illness.  If you or a loved one cannot work or function in society due to mental illness, a lawyer who is familiar with the federal and state laws can help you receive the maximum amount of compensation from the government. 

Because forms can be denied rather easily by the Social Security Administration, insurance companies, or state programs designed to help the disabled, lawyers with experience in mental illness law will usually go to bat for those who have no other recourse.  Not only will they help you determine how best to pursue benefits, they will often help with the paperwork and legal proceedings involved.