How to Be Approved for Social Security Disability for Depression & Migraines

If you seek Social Security Disability benefits because depression and migraines have made it impossible for you to work, be prepared for long forms that must be filled out in great detail. According to the Social Security Administration, 61.8 percent of all Social Security Disability claims are denied upon initial application. If your initial application is denied, you have the right to appeal that decision. Maintaining accurate and consistent records, along with acquiring proper representation, can help you gain approval for Social Security Disability benefits.

Instructions

• 1

  Maintain a folder with all of the information about your depression and migraines from all of your doctors and therapists. Include dates and outcomes of appointments as well as medications. Also include phone numbers and addresses of all facilities at which you have obtained treatment.

• 2

  Fill out the Social Security Disability application as soon as you suspect that you will be disabled for more than 12 months. Applications can be filled out online, by telephone, or in person at a Social Security office. Fill out the application with as much detail as possible. Include examples of how your depression and migraines impact your ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs) and maintain employment.

• 3

  Acquire representation by an attorney or advocacy group if your claim is denied. Their experience with the appeals process can improve your chances.

• 4

  Maintain an accurate and up-to-date notebook detailing the struggles that you encounter as a result of your depression and migraines. Do not simply state the symptoms, but instead detail how the symptoms impair your ability to function normally.

• 5

  Reply promptly to all correspondence received from the Social Security Administration. If too much time lapses from the time that the Social Security Administration sends out notification to when it receives your reply, you may have to start the application all over again.