Step 1: Confirm Qualifying Mental Health Conditions

Qualifying conditions in Colorado may include:

• Major depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders that are well documented.
• Symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with your ability to maintain work-related activities.
• Mental health impairments require medical documentation from licensed therapists or psychiatrists.

Step 2: Prove Duration and Severity

The SSA requires the condition to:

• Persist for at least 12 months, or be expected to worsen.
• Be supported by ongoing treatment records, therapy notes, and medications.
• Show functional limitations in work and social settings.

Step 3: Meet Work History Requirements

Qualifying depends on:

• Sufficient work credits earned through Social Security contributions.
• The needed credits vary based on your age at disability onset.
• Typical adults need about 20 credits in the 10 years before becoming disabled.

Step 4: Undergo SSA Disability Evaluation

The SSA will:

• Review medical reports, mental status exams, and functional assessments.
• Assess your ability to work despite your mental health conditions.
• Determine if you can perform any type of employment, not just your previous job.

Common Reasons for Denial

To increase approval chances, avoid these errors:

• Lack of detailed or up-to-date treatment documentation from mental health providers.
• Milder conditions that don’t meet SSA’s disability criteria.
• Failing to complete SSA-ordered medical examinations.
• Insufficient work credits or inconsistent employment records.