If you live in Mississippi and you have been diagnosed with a disabling medical condition, you may wonder if you qualify for disability benefits and, if so, how much you might receive. After all, if you are unable to work as a result of your disability, you may be struggling financially, and benefits can certainly help to reduce that stress. Let’s take a closer look together at what benefits may be available and how much you might receive.
What Types of Benefits Are Available for Mental Health Disabilities?
If you are disabled as a result of a mental health condition, you will generally have two options for disability benefits in Mississippi – benefits provided through a private insurance policy or benefits provided by the Social Security Administration.
Social Security Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration offers two types of benefits for disabled individuals, depending upon that person’s circumstances. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSDI benefits are intended for “insured” individuals who had a job through which they regularly made payments into the Social Security system. SSI benefits, by contrast, are intended for individuals with income and resources below a certain threshold established by the Social Security Administration.
To qualify for either type of benefit, an individual must have a qualifying medical condition that has rendered them disabled for at least one continuous calendar year or more. The Social Security Administration often consults its Blue Book, a listing of conditions and their accompanying symptoms, to determine if a condition qualifies as a disability.
Fortunately, there are many mental health conditions included in the Blue Book. However, even if your condition is not specifically listed, you shouldn’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be approved for benefits. It simply means you may need to provide additional medical proof of your condition and its disabling effects.
Disability Benefits Through Private Insurers
In some cases, individuals may have insurance coverage through a policy that they purchased or which was provided by an employer. These policies may be for short-term or long-term disability, and the terms and conditions will vary from one policy to another.
Generally, private insurance disability benefits do cover many mental health conditions – although it will be essential to consult with an attorney regarding the terms of your particular policy and whether or not your condition is covered.
How Much Might I Receive?
This is an understandable question to ask. After all, disability benefits can be an essential source of support when you’re unable to work as a result of a mental health condition.
Insofar as Social Security disability benefits are concerned, it’s important to keep in mind that the amount you receive in benefits will generally not be based on your particular condition. That is, regardless of whether you suffer from a mental disability, a physical disability, or both, how benefits will be calculated will be the same. SSDI and SSI benefits are calculated differently, however.
Typically, the amount of SSDI benefits paid to an individual will depend upon various factors, including the person’s work and earnings history. As a general rule, the longer you worked, the higher your salary, and the more you paid into the system, the more benefits you will receive, up to a certain limit. In 2024, that limit is $3,822 per month.
Unlike SSDI benefits, SSI benefits are not calculated based on earnings or work history but rather on an individual’s current income and resource level. In 2024, the monthly maximum SSI amounts are $943 for an eligible individual, $1,415 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $472 for an essential person.
As far as private disability benefits are concerned, it’s essential to remember that the terms of policies may vary widely, as might the amount of benefits paid under those policies. The payment might be affected by the policy’s premium, any deductible, the condition itself, and any number of other factors.
Regardless of whether you are seeking SSDI benefits, SSI benefits, or some other type of disability benefit, consulting with an attorney regarding your circumstances is always advised. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.
Muse Disability – Here for You
At Muse Disability, we know that struggling with any disability, whether physical or mental, is difficult. We understand that when you have a disability, what you need most is to focus on treating your condition and live your life to the fullest despite the difficulties. The last thing you need is legal worry and stress. You don’t need to wonder how to pursue the benefits you need and deserve or whether you’re doing all you can to assert your rights under the law.
Instead, you can leave those matters to us, knowing that you’re putting your case in good hands when you do. Our talented and experienced team will fight for you every step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.