How Much Does Mental Health Disability Pay In 2022?

Millions of Americans struggle with mental health conditions. If you are one of them, you should know that you are certainly not alone. You should also know that you may be entitled to disability benefits. Depending upon the severity of your condition, you may find that you are unable to work and earn a steady income or enjoy many of the activities of day-to-day life as you otherwise would.

Disability benefits can be quite helpful in relieving some of the financial stress you may be under and allowing you to focus on your health and enjoying time with those you love. One question those with mental health conditions often ask is – how much might I receive in disability benefits for my condition? It’s an important question to ask. Let’s take a closer look at how the Social Security Administration makes such determinations.

Do You Have A Disabling Condition?

First and foremost, it’s essential to remember that in order to receive disability benefits, you must have a condition that the Social Security Administration considers to be medically disabling. Often, the Social Security Administration consults its Blue Book, which is essentially a list of conditions that are considered to be disabling and compares your condition and the medical proof you present with the criteria outlined in its guide. Certainly, it is also possible to be found disabled for a condition not specifically listed in the Blue Book – although the thorough medical proof will be necessary.

Regardless of the particular condition for which you are seeking benefits, it is also important to keep in mind that to qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, you must be able to establish that your qualifying disability has rendered you unable to work for a period of at least 12 months. If you meet these criteria, you may qualify to receive either SSDI or SSI benefits for your disability.

Considering Different Types Of Disability Benefits

It is also important to understand that the Social Security Administration typically provides two types of disability benefits, and which, if any, you are eligible to receive, will depend upon several factors. Those two types of benefits include:

• Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): SSDI benefits are those typically provided to an “insured” individual who is unable to work as a result of a qualifying disabling condition. To be considered “insured” in the eyes of the Social Security Administration, the applicant must have worked in a job for a sufficient length of time, through which they made regular payments into the Social Security System.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI disability benefits are also provided to individuals who have a qualifying disabling condition that renders them unable to work. Unlike SSDI benefits, however, SSI benefits are not contingent upon the individual being “insured”. They are instead contingent upon the applicant being below a certain income threshold and having limited resources.

Regardless of the type of benefit for which you ultimately qualify, it is important to understand that there will be legal limits on how much you can receive.

A Closer Look At The Calculations

Generally speaking, it is not the nature of your medical condition itself that will determine how much you will receive. For example, the Social Security does not pay more in disability benefits to those with depression than it would to those with anxiety. Instead, your monthly amount of SSDI benefits will likely depend upon a variety of factors including:

• Your previous salary;
• The amount you have paid into the Social Security system;
• The severity of your condition and its effect on your ability to work and earn an income;
• A variety of other factors depend upon your unique circumstances.

Annually, the Social Security Administration sets limits on the amount of benefits that a disabled individual might receive. These limits vary and are determined by a variety of factors. For example, in 2022, the highest possible monthly SSDI payment is $3,345. Insofar as SSI benefits are concerned, those payments are typically not dependent upon work history. In 2022, the maximum monthly SSI amounts are $421 for an essential person, $841 for individuals, and $1261 for couples.

London Disability – Your Disability Advocates

If you struggle with a mental health disability, you need to devote your time to what matters most – caring for yourself, ensuring that you receive the treatment that you need, and enjoying life with those you love. You don’t need the added stress and worry of wondering how you’ll pursue the disability benefits you need. You don’t want to waste precious time trying to navigate complex legal matters alone. Instead, you should call the team at London Disability. Our knowledgeable and experienced legal team understands every aspect of the process of seeking disability benefits, and we’re here to help. We look forward to speaking with you soon.