Proving mental illness for Florida Social Security Disability

When a Kissimmee resident is seeking Social Security Disability benefits for mental conditions, meeting the requirements can be the difference between an approval and a denial. It is important to understand the evidentiary sources and information that must be provided when filing for disability benefits. This will include medical evidence, information from the claimant and other information that can be valuable to the claim.

With medical evidence, it must be from an acceptable medical source and show that there is a medically determinable mental impairment. The Social Security Administration will try to garner all the medical evidence that is relevant to the claim. That will include the history of the mental impairment or impairments, records of examinations that have been given, psychological tests and hospitalizations. The evidence must take into account information provided by the claimant and others concerned with the situation that are aware of the claimant’s daily activities, ability to function socially, concentration, persistence, pace and episodes of decompensation.

The claimant will also provide information from his or her own experience with the mental impairments. The claimant might be considered a reliable source of the functional limitations. This description must accurately describe the limitations that result from the mental impairments. The statements will be examined for consistency and accuracy. Other information that can help can come from other medical sources such as psychiatric nurses or a psychiatric social worker. Non-medical sources, like family members and others familiar with the claimant, can establish the foundation to be approved for benefits.

A person who is suffering from mental illness can receive benefits, if the evidentiary requirements are met. For assistance, with accumulating the necessary information through medical evaluation and other sources, a legal professional experienced in Social Security Disability can provide guidance and advice.

Source: SSA.gov, “12.00 Mental Disorders – Adult – Sources of Evidence,” accessed on Dec. 14, 2015

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