Workers in California are not always going to be able to work to the best of their abilities. After all, humans are not robots. We are susceptible to injury and illness. This is why disability benefits and insurance exist.
Today we will look at a frequently asked question. Many sufferers of mental conditions wonder if their conditions are eligible for benefits. Is a mental condition considered a disability? Can you receive benefits if you cannot work due to a mental condition?
The definition of disability
The Employment Developmental Department of California defines disability. According to them, it is anything preventing you from performing your work. This covers illness and injury. It also covers both physical and mental health issues. As long as your problem prevents you from working as normal, it counts as a disability. It is eligible for disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration uses something called The Blue Book to establish guidelines. These guidelines help determine what disorders qualify for disability benefits. There is a section in this book that deals solely with mental disorders. It discusses the disorders it covers. It also discusses the circumstances that allow a sufferer to qualify for benefits.
Categories of mental disorders in the Blue Book
The nine categories of mental disorders covered in The Blue Book include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Affective disorders
- Mental retardation
- Autism and related disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Personality disorders
- Substance addiction
- Paranoia, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
- Organic mental disorders
These disorders all have unique sets of criteria. This criteria determines if a person’s affliction qualifies them for benefits. You must show that your condition fits the criteria. Barring that, you must show that the sum of your disabilities fits the criteria. Also, you need to show you are complying with a treatment. These are all steps you must take and proof you must provide to qualify.
