What is a Mental Disability or a Mental Impairment?
What is a Mental Disability or What is an Intellectual Disability?
Social Security disability benefits require all three of the following to be present
- A physical or mental impairment.
- Substantial gainful work cannot be performed because of the impairment.
- Mental disability, Mental or Intellectual Impairment or the Physical Impairment must be expected to last, or have lasted, at least 12 months, or must be expected to result in death.
If your condition is not on the list, the Social Security Administration will have to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is listed. If it is, the Social Security Administration will find that you are disabled. Intellectual disabilities must have a direct impact on the ability to engage in employment.
The Social Security Administration maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled (if you match the requirements for the condition).
Downloadable Forms Here:
What is a Mental Impairment? or Intellectual Disability?
The Social Security BlueBook does a GOOD job of identifying Mental Impairments or Intellectual Disabilities for BOTH adults and children.
My most difficult task with clients is explaining to them that simply having a Mental Impairment or an Intellectual Disability does not qualify them for SSI or SSD. The mental impairment must be of such a nature and impact their life in such a way that substantial gainful work cannot be performed because of the impairment.
Once we have defined and categorized what a mental impairment is, then the job of documenting both the impairment and the impact on the claimant’s ability to work begins!
Step Number One: What Is Your Mental Impairment? (or intellectual disability)
Start here: Adult Listed Mental Impairment (or intellectual disability) – and – Childhood Listed Mental Impairment (or intellectual disability)
Step Number Two: Find You Listed Mental Impairment Diagnosis
Once you find your listed diagnosis study the requirements that the Social Security Administration has defined as required for that impairment. Then closely study the impact those impairments must have upon your life. If the diagnosis fits and you believe your life (or your child’s life) has been impacted as indicated by the stated guidelines, it is time to begin to document these facts!
Residual Functional Capacity Forms
This website includes RFC forms for all mental impairments (intellectual disabilities). A new RFC form is required at each stage of the SSD or SSI process. Often you will require several forms for multiple issues. Physical disabilities and mental impairments are often combined. Use different RFC forms for each of those – though at the end of each form the health care provider can take a whole person view of the issue.
Also, you may need two or more RFC forms for one disability. While an M.D. or D.O. may provide the diagnosis in and RFC form often a counselor is best able to communicate the impact upon your life that the mental impairment presents.
Remember, medical records are free when used to apply for SSD or SSI. A mental or physical healthcare provider may not charge for these records.
Determining Childhood Disability under the Functional Equivalency Rule
Mental Impairment, Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities are all evaluated withe the Whole Child Approach.
Title XVI: Determining Childhood Disability Under the Functional Equivalence Rule—The ‘‘Whole Child’’ Approach
SSR – 09-1 I have recreated the Whole Child Approach record of the SSA here for your review. However, you may link to the original.
SSA Form: Functional Report for Adult This form allows a third party to inform the SSA of the abilities and limitations of an impaired claimant in a standardized format.