Expert Letters in Support of Disability Application for Mental Disorders

According to 2010 data from the National Institute of Mental Health, six percent of the U.S. population suffers from a severe form of mental illness. To alleviate the stress of maintaining employment, a person with a mental illness can apply for disability. Strong expert letters in support of a mental disability claim can improve the chances for approval.

Facts

• When a person with a pervasive mental illness files a Social Security claim, the disability examiner will request all relevant medical records, reports and expert letters from treating mental health professionals (e.g. licensed doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists). To expedite the disability process, the patient must provide the expert with detailed information regarding symptoms.

Expert Letters

• Expert letters in support of a mental disability claim must provide information about the patient's inability to perform the activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning and maintaining employment. Letters should also include information regarding cognitive functioning (e.g. disorganized thinking, auditory and visual impairments).

Consultative Reports

• If expert letters and medical records yield insufficient results to support a mental disability claim, SSA can request a consultative examination (CE) report for the claimant. The CE report must be completed by a qualified medical professional and will include the diagnosis and a statement regarding the disabled person's symptoms and impairment.