Can You Get Social Security Disability in Oklahoma for a Mental Illness?

If you live in Oklahoma and suffer from a mental illness like bipolar disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or schizophrenia, then you might qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits—but first, you need to know if you are eligible. This article will take a look at the conditions for SSDI eligibility, what social security disability benefits are available to people with mental illnesses, and how to apply for SSDI.

You should also know that many people get denied for disability benefits when they first apply, whether the disability is physical or mental. This is frustrating, but it’s very common. You should consider teaming up with a disability attorney with Colbert Cooper Hill to improve your application or help with your appeal. We only get paid if your disability application or appeal gets approved, and even then you won’t pay out-of-pocket. Our payment comes out of your disability benefits back-pay, and there are federal caps to limit a disability lawyer’s payment.

Mental Disorders That Qualify You For SSDI

There are many mental disorders that may qualify an individual for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Oklahoma. Some of the disorders that can lead to a disability determination include:

• Anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder: characterized by excessive worry or apprehension, obsession and compulsions, panic attacks, and avoidance of feelings, activities, objects, etc.
• Depression: an irritable or depressed mood, causing a significant functional decline and/or social withdrawal. Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, suicidal ideation.
• Bipolar disorders: an elevated or expansive mood, reduced impulse control, increases and decreases in energy, psychomotor abnormalities.
• Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia: characterized by delusions, hallucinations, catatonic behavior, social detachment, paranoia and more.
• Trauma disorders, including PTSD: distressing memories and dreams, flashbacks, avoidant behavior, and persistently negative emotions stemming from a traumatic event or experience. This can lead to anxiety, irritability and aggression, particularly when startled.
• Neurocognitive disorders: mental disorders causing a significant decline in cognitive function, caused by anything from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Somatic symptom disorder: physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition or other mental disorder, which can lead to preoccupation with having, identifying or diagnosing the cause of the symptoms.

This list is not exhaustive. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific criteria to assess the mental functioning that is often required in a work setting, including the ability to understand, remember, or apply information, as well as interact with others, concentrate, and manage oneself. There are many mental illnesses that fit within that range.

RELATED: How Long Does It Take to Get Social Security Disability?

Criteria That Must Be Met to Receive Disability Benefits

To receive Social Security Disability benefits in Oklahoma for a mental illness, you must prove that your mental condition is “severe” and meets specific requirements. 

A “severe” mental illness is one that significantly limits your ability to work and perform everyday activities. To be considered severe, your mental illness must:

• Cause intense symptoms that last for at least two weeks or interfere with your ability to function independently, socially, and/or vocationally; AND  
• Be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist 

There are also general eligibility requirements that must be met by all applicants, regardless of what type of disability they have.  

Your disability must prevent you from “substantial and gainful activity,” which means it must prevent you from earning more than a set amount per month in income. (This amount is $1,550 per month in 2024 for recipients who are not blind.)  

You must provide medical documents to show the extent of your disability.

In order to be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, you must have paid into the Social Security system, which typically happens through withholding on your paychecks. The Social Security Administration checks this by converting your prior earnings into “work credits.” You can earn up to 4 work credits per year, and the number of qualifying work credits you need is determined based on your age.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.