Is PTSD Considered a Disability by the SSA?

Yes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does recognize PTSD as a disabling mental health condition, provided it meets specific criteria. PTSD is listed under Section 12.15 of the SSA’s Blue Book, which covers trauma- and stressor-related disorders.

To qualify, your PTSD must be medically documented and severe enough to interfere with your ability to work. Simply having a diagnosis isn’t enough—you must show functional limitations that make employment difficult or impossible.

How to Qualify for Disability with PTSD

To be approved for disability benefits due to PTSD, you’ll need to meet the SSA’s requirements, which include:

• Medical Documentation: You must have medical records showing that you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or another qualified professional.
• Serious Symptoms: Your PTSD must cause one or more of the following: intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance behavior, mood disturbances, heightened alertness, or problems with concentration and memory.
• Functional Limitations: The SSA looks at how your PTSD affects your ability to function. You must show extreme limitations in one or marked limitations in two of the following areas:
• Understanding, remembering, or applying information
• Interacting with others
• Concentrating or maintaining pace
• Adapting or managing yourself

If your condition doesn’t exactly match the criteria in the Blue Book, you might still qualify based on a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment, which evaluates how your condition impacts your ability to work on a daily basis.

Supporting Your Claim with Medical Evidence

For a PTSD-related disability claim to succeed, strong medical documentation is essential. Here’s what helps most:

• Consistent Mental Health Treatment: Show a history of regular therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and/or medication management.
• Detailed Psychological Evaluations: Reports from psychologists or psychiatrists that explain how your PTSD symptoms interfere with your daily life and work.
• Statements from Medical Providers: A letter from your treating mental health provider that outlines your symptoms and how they affect your functioning can significantly strengthen your case.
• Personal Statements or Journals: Your own descriptions of how PTSD impacts your ability to work can help illustrate your limitations when combined with medical evidence.

Can You Get SSI or SSDI for PTSD?

You may qualify for either SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), depending on your work history and financial situation.

• SSDI is available if you have a qualifying work history and have paid into Social Security through employment.
• SSI is based on financial need and does not require prior work experience.

In both cases, your PTSD must prevent you from working full-time for at least 12 continuous months or be expected to result in death (rare in PTSD cases, but relevant if co-occurring with other severe conditions).

What If Your PTSD Claim Is Denied?

PTSD disability claims are often denied on the first try, even for applicants who meet the criteria. If this happens, don’t panic—you have the right to appeal. The appeals process may include:

• Reconsideration: A second review of your claim by a new SSA representative.
• Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): You’ll present your case in person, which can be a crucial opportunity to explain how PTSD affects your life.
• Additional Medical Evidence: You can submit updated medical records or expert statements to support your case during the appeal.