When people think about the types of disabilities that make it impossible for someone to work it is likely that physical disabilities are the first to come to mind. The reality, however, is that there are many individuals throughout the Atlanta area who are unable to keep a job due to mental disabilities.
Individuals who find themselves no longer able to work due to a mental disability may be able to obtain Social Security disability benefits to help cover expenses. To be successful, the disability someone suffers from must be on a list of approved conditions. Some people may be surprised to find that depression is included on that list.
Depression is an issue for workers throughout the United States that appears to be growing. Work stress compounds the issue, making it worse. According to a recent Forbes article, depression is one of the leading causes of lost productivity. Each year it costs employers $44 billion. Few employers actively address this issue leaving many workers afraid to share their feelings. Accordingly programs such as the Right Direction were developed.
Individuals whose depression prompts them to seek disability benefits should be aware that the benefits are not always easy to obtain. The claims must be supported by appropriate paperwork that confirms a person’s condition. Because it is sometimes difficult to get all of that evidence organized, it is not uncommon for initial claims to be denied. For that reason many find it beneficial to work with a lawyer who handles SSD matters.
Source: Forbes, “When Work Stress Yields Depression It’s Unbearable,” Judy Martin, May 30, 2013
