As a business owner, keeping informed about the finer points of employment law is important. If you're getting ready to hire your first employees, you need to be sure that you understand exactly what you can and cannot do. Don't risk getting yourself into legal trouble by asking the wrong question at the interview or making an off-hand comment that's considered legally unacceptable. I created this site to give you the basics of employment law expectations. I hope that the information here helps you to understand what you should and shouldn't do as you're interviewing and hiring your first staff members.
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A Guide to Getting the Social Security Benefits You Need for Mental Health Conditions
Irene Robertson
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) is better known for providing benefits to those afflicted with physical conditions, mental health conditions like depression are also covered. If you are no longer able to attend to your job, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may result in a monthly payment to help make ends meets after you stop working. Read on and learn more about applying for SSDI with a mental health condition.
A Covered Illness
The SSA maintains a list of covered disorders known as the blue book. If your mental illness is on the blue book list, that means the SSA could consider your claim. Each affliction is accompanied by a list of requirements that focus primarily on showing proof of your disorder. In most cases, you will need to show that you have been in treatment and that certain diagnostic tests have been performed. Other forms of proof include letters from mental health practitioners, a list of medications prescribed, and more.
Being Approved for Benefits
The above is the beginning of the approval process. The requirements below must also be met:
- Work credits: You must show that you have worked enough within the last 10 years to be eligible for benefits.
- Length of disability: SSDI is not meant to cover short-term issues. You must show that you have been afflicted with a mental health disorder for at least one year or expect it to last for at least one year in the future. Most mental health issues are not quickly resolved so most will meet this requirement.
- Practitioner: While there is no requirement that you seek treatment from a professional mental health practitioner, you must have at least seen a medical doctor.
- Link to work: Finally, you have to show that your mental illness, once proven, affects your ability to perform the tasks of your most recent position.
Applicants should be prepared to be turned down for benefits. Most all are turned down, regardless of their afflictions. Fortunately, you will have the chance to appear in person at a hearing to further explain how your condition makes it impossible to do a job. Fortunately, you can bring a Social Security lawyer with you—doing so will improve your chances of approval at the hearing. Contact services like Todd East Attorney at Law to find out how you can get the help you need with no upfront or out-of-pocket money needed.
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