Not every disability carries a visible moniker. For example, when we see a person in a wheel chair we understand that person might have a disabling medical condition. However, other disabled persons in Missouri suffer in silence, including those who have a disabling mental condition.
For example, we generally cannot not see that a person is suffering from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression or other documented mental health conditions. Moreover, mental illnesses still carry a negative stigma, meaning those who are afflicted with them may not tell others about their condition.
However, the Social Security Administration does recognize that mental conditions can be disabling, and therefore makes Social Security disability benefits available to qualifying individuals who have a mental illness. These benefits can be key to allowing a person with a mental condition who cannot work to afford medical care, along with life’s basic necessities.
Applying for disability benefits is not easy, and many initial claims are denied. At Harlan, Still & Koch, we assist clients who are seeking disability benefits. It is important that applicants provide an accurate description of how their mental illness affects their daily lives, and we aim to ensure our clients’ applications are thorough. We assist clients in collecting the medical evidence they need to demonstrate their condition. Our goal is to help our clients build claims that are successful.
When a person suffers from a mental illness, their condition could be so severe that it prevents them from working. This can be incredibly stressful, especially if one is concerned about how they will afford the costs of their day-to-day lives. Fortunately, they may have the option of filing for SSD benefits. With the help of a dedicated attorney, such as those at our firm, one can present the SSA with a detailed claim for benefits.
