How Much Disability Can You Get for Depression and Anxiety?

Depression and anxiety can significantly impair one’s ability to function in daily life and work, making it challenging to maintain steady employment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to individuals whose mental health conditions prevent them from engaging in enough work to earn a living. The amount of disability benefits you can receive for depression and anxiety is determined by the SSA’s criteria, earnings thresholds, and the details of how benefits are calculated and adjusted.

If you need more information to understand how Social Security’s rules will affect the amount of disability benefit you can receive, contact our disability law office today. (Law firm name) concentrates exclusively on helping people get the disability benefit to which they are entitled and to advocate for their swift approval. Call us today.

Determining Eligibility and Benefit Amounts

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for depression and anxiety, applicants must meet the SSA’s medical criteria and have a sufficient work history for SSDI or limited income and resources for SSI. The SSA uses the Blue Book, which lists the criteria for various conditions, including mental disorders. For depression and anxiety, these criteria include:

1. Medical Evidence: Documentation of your condition from medical professionals, including records and findings consistent with the diagnosis, a significantly long treatment history, and how the condition affects your ability to work.
2. Functional Limitations: Evidence that your condition severely limits your ability to perform basic work-related activities.

Calculating SSDI Benefits

SSDI benefits are calculated based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusts them for inflation, and then applies a formula to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Here’s a simplified explanation of the process:

1. Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME): The SSA adjusts your highest 35 years of earnings for inflation and averages them to determine your AIME.
2. Primary Insurance Amount (PIA): Your AIME is used in a formula that provides a specific percentage of different portions of your AIME. In 2023, the formula is:
   • 90% of the first $1,174 of your AIME
   • 32% of your AIME over $1,115 and up to $7,078
   • 15% of your AIME over $7078

The resulting PIA is your monthly SSDI benefit amount, rounded down to the nearest 10 cents.

Impact of Earnings on SSDI Benefits

While receiving SSDI benefits, you may still work, but your earnings can affect your eligibility. The SSA sets a limit called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold, which is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals in 2024. If you earn more than this amount, you might not qualify for benefits.

Exemptions and Deductions

To encourage individuals to work, the SSA provides certain exemptions and deductions that allow you to earn more without immediately disqualifying you from benefits:

1. Trial Work Period (TWP): This program allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months within a 60-month period. During the TWP, you can earn any amount without affecting your benefits.
2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After the TWP, you have a 36-month period where you can still receive benefits for any month your earnings are below the SGA level.
3. Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE): Costs directly related to your disability that are necessary for you to work can be deducted from your earnings when calculating SGA. Examples include the cost of medications, medical devices, and transportation to and from work.

Calculating SSI Benefits

SSI benefits are intended for individuals with limited income and resources. The federal maximum benefit in 2024 is $ 943 per month for individuals and $1,415 for couples, but this amount can be reduced by any countable income you receive.

How Earnings Affect SSI Benefits

For SSI, the SSA applies a different set of rules to determine how your earnings affect your benefits. The general principle is that the more you earn, the less your SSI benefit will be. However, not all income is countable. Here are some key points:

1. General Income Exclusion: The first $20 of most income received in a month is excluded.
2. Earned Income Exclusion: The first $65 of earned income plus half of the amount over $65 is excluded. This means only half of your earnings above $65 per month are counted against your SSI benefit.
3. Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE): For students under age 22, some or all of their earnings may not count against their SSI benefits, up to certain limits.

Maximizing Your Disability Benefits

To maximize your disability benefits, it’s crucial to understand how these rules apply to your situation:

1. Document All Medical Evidence: Ensure you have comprehensive medical documentation that clearly outlines the severity of your depression and anxiety and how they limit your ability to work.
2. Understand and Utilize Work Incentives: Programs like the TWP, EPE, and IRWE can allow you to earn more without losing your benefits. Carefully document any work-related expenses that are directly related to your disability.
3. Stay Informed About Changes: Social Security rules and benefit amounts can change annually. Keeping abreast of these changes can help you plan better and take advantage of any new opportunities to increase or maintain your benefits.

There are many more details affecting the determination of the amount of someone’s disability benefits. If you want to learn more, contact our office today for a full assessment of your eligibility for disability benefits.

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