“Disability” is a broad term, and it can apply to a variety of physical and mental disorders, including major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression). Different organizations — legal, medical, and social — have different definitions for “disability.” These definitions can affect your daily life, including your eligibility for disability benefits.
If you live in the United States and are diagnosed with depression, here are five facts you should know about legal protections, disability benefits, and accommodations at work.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in their day-to-day lives. Under the ADA, a person is considered to have a disability if they meet at least one of the following criteria:
Because the ADA is a law rather than a benefits program, you don’t have to complete any paperwork to be considered disabled. If you meet one of the criteria above, you’re automatically protected against discrimination as an employee in the workplace, a business customer, and a participant in government programs.
“Being discriminated against at work sucks,” wrote one MyDepressionTeam member.
“I have been in that situation,” another member responded.
According to current regulations of the Social Security Administration (SSA), you may be eligible for disability benefits if your health condition prevents you from working for at least a year or is expected to result in death.
The condition must also prevent you from doing the kind of work you did before and from adapting to new types of work.
Two different federal programs provide disability income benefits:
They both use the same medical and functional ability criteria. However, SSDI eligibility depends on your work history, so you’ll need comprehensive documentation about your work history and medical status. SSI is a need-based benefit that takes into consideration income and assets.
Both programs require you to show that you have severe depression that interferes with your daily activities.
MyDepressionTeam members have had a variety of experiences when it comes to filing for disability benefits.
Applying for and appealing Social Security disability benefits can be a tedious and stressful process, but you’re not alone in your experience.
Applying for SSDI or SSI benefits involves multiple steps and can take time. To give yourself the best chance at a smoother process, it’s important to understand the basics.
If you’re applying for disability benefits for a depressive disorder, the SSA uses criteria from the “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security” — commonly called the “Blue Book.” To qualify, you must experience at least five of the following symptoms:
Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chatting online. You can also get support from the confidential Crisis Text Line by texting 741741 or chatting online.
In addition, you must meet one of these two conditions:
Other mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, can also qualify for disability benefits.
You can apply for SSDI or SSI online, over the phone, or in person. Depending on your needs, you may want to speak with a lawyer, advocate, or even your elected officials for help navigating the system.
The application steps, generally, are as follows:
Eligibility criteria may change, as federal laws and regulations are always subject to revision. In 2024, the SSA simplified the application process, reducing the work review period to the past five years. But it’s important to check current regulations and eligibility requirements as they may change over time.
If your application is denied, you have several options to ask the SSA to take another look at your case. These include:
You must start the appeal process within 60 days of getting your denial letter.
Navigating the mental healthcare system can feel overwhelming. However, if you’re applying for disability benefits, having an official diagnosis and a healthcare provider who can support your claim is essential.
When reviewing your application, the SSA will need detailed information about your medical condition. This includes:
Being organized and thorough with your documentation can help your application move more smoothly — and improve your chances of approval.
In the U.S., people with disabilities are protected against discrimination in the workplace, and they’re not required to disclose their diagnosis at any point during or after the hiring process. In most cases, the only time you’d need to let your employer know about your condition is if you’re requesting work accommodations.
A person diagnosed with depression may request accommodations such as:
Any medical information you share as part of your accommodation request is confidential. Your employer is legally required to keep that information private and cannot share it with others in your workplace.
Learn more about managing work while living with depression.
Whether or not your depression qualifies as a disability based on the ADA or SSA definition, symptoms of depression can make it difficult to stay socially connected or enjoy the things you used to love. That is not your fault.
Mental health conditions, just like physical disabilities, should be met with understanding from the people around you, including friends, family, and your community. Clinical depression and depressive episodes can interfere significantly with your daily life.
It helps to have people who truly understand what you’re going through. One member of MyDepressionTeam described the support they get on this site: “I really like this site. It’s great to be able to talk to people that know exactly what you’re going through. I don’t get that at home sometimes. I know my husband tries, but sometimes it’s too much for him.”
You don’t have to go through this alone. Talk to your healthcare provider about resources that may be available to you. They can help you access treatment, support groups, and social services — tools that can help you live more fully.
On MyDepressionTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with depression, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles.
Have you filed for disability benefits or asked for work accommodations for your depression diagnosis? Do you have any tips for others? Comment below to share your thoughts, or start a conversation in your Activities feed.
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