If you are struggling with depression or high functioning depression, one of the most common mental health disorders around the world it’s important to know what your options are including resources for help like Sequoia Detox Centers with our full continuum of care, as well as legal options for ongoing support.
Is Depression a Disability?
Yes, depression is legally recognized as a disability under federal law which means that if you struggle with depression severe enough to impact your ability to work, you can receive monthly financial benefits.
How Depression Qualifies as a Legal Disability
There are three ways that depression can legally qualify as a disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Under the ADA, depression is classified as a mental or physical impairment if it substantially limits one or more major activities in your life including working. This law means that you cannot be discriminated against in the workplace if you have a depressive disorder. It also means that you are entitled to reasonable accommodations that help support you such as extra breaks, a quieter workspace, or more flexible accommodations.
The Social Security Administration (SSA)
The SSA recognizes severe depression as a qualifying medical condition for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and if you have documentation that your condition has prevented you from performing any type of gainful activity for at least 12 months, with an official medical diagnosis and proof of functional limitations, you can get additional coverage.
Functional limitations as it’s defined include severe limitations in at least two areas including understanding, remembering, or applying information, interacting with others, maintaining a steady work pace, or managing your emotions and behaviors at work.
If you don’t meet that criteria but you still have trouble maintaining regular employment, you can be evaluated by the Social Security Administration for residual functional capacity, an option that can provide less stressful work that you might be more realistically able to perform.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Finally, severe depression can allow eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave each year for treatment or recovery. As such, those who are looking for treatment options can use this benefit while receiving inpatient or outpatient care at Sequoia Detox Centers.
Getting Depression Treatment at Sequoia Detox Centers
At Sequoia Detox we offer a full continuum of care (Detox; Inpatient/Residential; PHP; IOP; Outpatient/Aftercare). We also specialize in dual diagnosis care for those clients struggling with depression and co-occurring addiction.
At Sequoia Detox Centers, we offer a full range of care, with many clients being able to go through each program in a step-down process during treatment, some taking advantage of FMLA benefits and others using insurance benefits.
If you are looking for help with depression, contact our admissions team at 1-866-824-0709.
FAQ
Is Depression a Disability?
Yes, depression is legally recognized as a disability under many pieces of federal legislation including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To qualify for assistance, your condition must substantially limit one or more major areas of life.
Can You Get Social Security Disability Benefits for Depression?
Yes, the Social Security Administration will pay disability benefits to those who need help through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs with qualifying depression. In order to have qualifying depression an individual must have a medically documented condition that is severe enough to prevent individuals from regular employment for at least 12 months.
How Does the SSA Evaluate Depression Claims?
The SSA evaluates depression applications based on clinical documentation of symptoms, medical evidence showing extreme limitation, and other pertinent information about medical history. For example, you might be asked to include detailed treatment notes from any licensed psychologists or psychiatrists with whom you work as well as a history of prescribed medication and any side effects, hospitalization records, and official diagnostic assessments. If you come to our treatment center for depression treatment either inpatient or outpatient, we can help you meet this requirement by providing copies of relevant information from your time with us.
Why are Disability Claims for Depression Denied On the First Attempt?
Depression related disability claims might be denied because these claims require continuous medical treatment records, assessments from mental health professionals, and proof of the impact that depression has had on one’s ability to sustain employment.
Sometimes people don’t have those medical treatment records, they don’t have assessments from mental health professionals, or the Social Security Administration has decided that the condition can actually be managed suitably enough if an individual instead uses something like less stressful employment options. With Sequoia Detox Centers we can help you build your history of continuous medical treatment through our Continuum of care.
Is My Job Protected Under ADA?
If you work for an employer with 15 or more employees you are legally protected against workplace discrimination based on a diagnosis of depression under ADA. This means your employer cannot penalize you, fire you, or demote you because you disclose your disability as long as you continue to perform all essential functions of your job with or without reasonable accommodation. If necessary, your employer might have to provide reasonable accommodations based on the symptoms of your depression.
What Are Examples of “Reasonable Accommodations” for Depression At Work?
Under federal law, reasonable accommodations for depression disabilities mean modifications to your work environment or your job so that you can continue to perform the tasks required of you. This might mean adjusted start times if you come to a treatment center like ours for therapy sessions in the morning, flexible scheduling to accommodate other appointments or morning fatigue, even opportunities for working from home. Some other accommodations might mean extended breaks throughout the day, larger projects broken down into smaller tasks, or quieter workspaces that improve focus.
Do I Legally Have to Disclose a Depression Diagnosis to My Employer?
No, you are never legally required to disclose any mental health condition to your employer whether you are applying for a new job or currently employed. However, in order to use depression disability benefits like ADA benefits for workplace accommodations you will have to disclose your condition and provide the medical documentation for your request.
Can You Get Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Through Private Insurance for Depression?
Yes, many private employers do provide short-term disability or long-term disability policies that cover severe depressive episodes which might impair your ability to work. However, unlike the Social Security administration, these have their own definitions of what a disability is so the coverage could vary as could the requirements to use those policies. If you meet those requirements however you can apply these types of disability benefits for things like residential or outpatient treatment programs at Sequoia Detox Centers.
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