How Much Can You Receive in Disability Benefits for Depression and Anxiety?

Both depression and anxiety are recognized for their severe impact on individuals’ ability to work and lead a normal life. The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates two benefit programs to provide financial support to disabled Americans: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Keener Law Firm has been helping individuals across the country claim disability benefits from these government programs for more than 20 years. Whether you are just beginning the process of applying for disability or you have already been denied, our disability law firm has the specialized knowledge and experience fight for your benefits. Our disability law attorneys work devote their professional life to getting you the disability benefits you deserve. Contact our office today for help with your SSDI or SSI questions.

In this article, we explain the process of obtaining disability benefits for depression and anxiety, the criteria used by the SSA to evaluate these conditions, and an overview of how much you can expect to receive in monthly benefits.

Understanding SSDI and SSI

SSDI is designed for individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a sufficient number of years. The amount of the SSDI benefit largely depends on the applicant’s earnings record. SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based program for low-income individuals who have either never worked or have not earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. SSI payments are determined based on a set federal benefit rate, which might be supplemented by the state in which one resides.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits for Depression and Anxiety

To qualify for disability benefits for depression or anxiety, applicants must meet the definition of disability the SSA applies in every SSD and SSI claim.

The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that lasts or is expected to last at least 12 months and prevents the applicant from performing substantial gainful activities.

For mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and other specific mental or physical impairments, the SSA refers to the manual referred to as the “Blue Book” which outlines the particular criteria that must be met. For depression and anxiety, the criteria include documented evidence of symptoms such as persistent anxiety, frequent episodes of decompensation, a marked restriction of daily activities, and difficulties in maintaining social functioning.

All SSDI and SSI applicants must provide comprehensive medical evidence to support their claim, including treatment history, medication records, and statements from treating physicians.

While people filing disability claims are not required to work with a disability lawyer, no one should attempt to complete this process without consulting an experienced professional  disability law specialist. Unfortunately, many claims prepared and filed by claimants alone or with the help of untrained friends or family are initially denied due to the person submitting insufficient medical evidence to support their claim.

At the Keener Law  Firm, our disability lawyers and staff members work on Social Security disability claims every day, ensuring that any claim submitted to the SSA is prepared and submitted only after optimizing the claimant’s chance of approval.

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of a thorough and detailed application.

How Much Can You Receive?

The amount of disability benefit for individuals with depression and anxiety varies:

• For SSDI: The benefit amount is based on the applicant’s average lifetime earnings prior to the onset of disability. As of 2023, the average monthly disability payment was about $1,449, but this amount can be higher or lower depending on your earnings record. For each individual claimant, the SSA calculates the average indexed monthly taxable income they earned during the 35 years in which they earned the highest income. That Average Indexed Monthly Income (AIME) is entered into a formula which produces the claimant’s “Primary Insurance Amount” or PIA. The PIA is the claimant’s monthly disability benefits payment.
• For SSI: The maximum federal benefit rate changes yearly. In 2024, the maximum monthly payment for an individual was set at $943 and $1,415 for a couple, with the possibility of additional state supplements. SSI benefits are need-based and consider other income and resources, so the actual amount received may be lower than the maximum. Each month, the SSI recipient is obliged to report funds or other benefits they received as well as any expenses that may reduce their “countable income.” The calculation of each month’s benefit amount will reflect the reduction of their countable income from the $943 starting benefit amount.

Additional Considerations

• Dependents: SSDI recipients with dependents might be eligible for additional benefits for their family members.
• Medicare and Medicaid: SSDI recipients do not become eligible for Medicare until 24 months after they begin receiving benefits, regardless of age. SSI recipients typically qualify for Medicaid immediately, even during the pendency of their application, depending on the state.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs): SSDI and SSI benefits are subject to annual COLAs, which can increase the benefit amount each year to keep up with inflation.

Challenges and Appeals

Obtaining disability benefits for mental health conditions can be challenging, often requiring appeals of initial denials. The appeals process includes several stages, such as reconsideration, a hearing by an administrative law judge, review by the Appeals Council, and, if necessary, federal court review. Each stage offers an opportunity for the claimant and their disability lawyer to present additional evidence and further argue the case for disability benefits.

Conclusion

The amount of disability one can get for depression and anxiety through SSDI or SSI varies significantly based on individual circumstances and the severity of the condition.

Given the many variables that affect when a disability claim may be approved or denied, all SSDI and SSI applicants should consult with an experienced disability attorney like those at The Keener Law Firm to ensure that their application is as strong as possible and to maximize the chance of prevailing in any appeal that may be necessary.