Chances of Obtaining Social Security With a Mental Disability in Pennsylvania

Residents of Pennsylvania experiencing a permanent mental disability for at least twelve months could be eligible for Social Security benefits. You must have a total disability and be unable to work. Eligibility for disability benefits is the same in every state since Social Security is a federal program.

Social Security Income

• Supplemental Security Income provides benefits to people who are permanently disabled to help pay for basic needs. Social Security Disability Insurance provides benefits to people with a permanent disability if they have worked previously and paid Social Security taxes.

Mental Disability

• Mental disabilities include a variety of intellectual and emotional conditions that cause severe intellectual and functional weaknesses. Children can be born with a mental disorder or can develop a disorder later in childhood or adulthood. A mental disability generally manifests before the age of 20.

Types of Mental Disabilities

• The Social Security Administration has nine categories for mental disorders. Organic mental disorders, affective disorders and mental retardation generally cause intellectual limitations. Emotional disabilities can be caused by psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, personality disorders, substance addiction disorders and autism.

Applying for Social Security Benefits in Pennsylvania

• Each person applying for disability benefits will be assessed by the Social Security Administration and must have a diagnosis from a medical professional. Apply for benefits at your local office or online.

Chances of Receiving Social Security Benefits

• Different circumstances pertain to each person applying for Social Security benefits. If your disability falls into one of the nine categories of mental disabilities, you are deemed totally disabled and are unable to work, you should have access to benefits. It is common for applicants to be denied after the initial claim is submitted. File an appeal if you feel your case was unfairly denied. In 2008 only 36 percent of first-time Social Security applicants in Pennsylvania were awarded benefits. After appealing the first denial, an additional 27 percent of applicants were awarded benefits.