Step 1: Confirm Your Mental Health Diagnosis

Qualifying conditions in South Carolina include:

• Disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety.
• A diagnosis must be from a qualified mental health provider with thorough documentation.
• Severity and frequency of symptoms must be clearly recorded.

Step 2: Meet SSA’s Duration and Severity Standards

Your condition should:

• Last or be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
• Limit your daily activities and work capabilities extensively.
• Be supported by consistent treatment records and evaluations.

Step 3: Fulfill the Work Credits Requirement

To be eligible for SSDI, you must have:

• Earned enough work credits through Social Security tax payments.
• The number of credits depends on your age at the time of disability onset.
• Typically, younger individuals need fewer credits but must meet strict criteria.

Step 4: SSA’s Evaluation of Your Functional Capacity

The SSA will:

• Review medical and psychological evidence to assess how your disability impairs your work skills.
• Determine your residual functional capacity (RFC) to identify suitable work activities, if any.
• Consider whether you can perform any jobs available in the economy.

Common Challenges in Approval

Be mindful of these issues:

• Insufficient or inconsistent documentation from mental health providers.
• Mild symptoms that do not meet SSA’s strict disability standards.
• Failure to comply with SSA-ordered examinations or follow-ups.
• Insufficient work credits or unclear employment history.