The U.S. federal government pays benefits in a program called Supplemental Security Income to people who cannot work full time due to disability. These individuals have not worked enough hours to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Some men and women might want to apply for SSI in Bethlehem for a mental health condition like social anxiety or chronic depression. It can be difficult to prove the inability to work due to these conditions, and the claim might be denied.
The Issue with Diagnostics
The Social Security Administration needs official confirmation that the person’s disorder is not effectively treated with medication, counseling or other methods. The subjectivity makes this hard to prove. Depression and social anxiety aren’t diagnosed with blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans or other standard tools.
Required Documentation
Being approved for SSI in Bethlehem requires documentation from at least one qualifying healthcare professional. This could be a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist who states the opinion that the patient cannot work full time. The person may have attempted this and failed more than once.
Issues With Prescription Medication
Prescription medication may only be partially effective. Not everyone responds well to antidepressants or sedating drugs for social anxiety. Sedation medications such as alprazolam and diazepam also are intended for short-term use or as needed. Taking them on a long-term basis causes physical dependency.
In addition, anxiety and depression often occur together, making the situation even more problematic. Sedation medications are depressants and can worsen chronic depression in some patients.
Anyone needing assistance with appealing a claim denial may begin with visiting Leventhal Sutton & Gornstein.
