Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does Social Assistance Mean?What Counts as a Disability?How Do I Know If My Anxiety Will Qualify for Assistance?What Information Gets Used to Evaluate My Case?What Happens If I Don’t Meet the Criteria?How to ApplyWhen and How Will I Receive Financial Help?What Happens to My Benefits If I Feel Ready to Start Working Again?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Does Social Assistance Mean?

What Counts as a Disability?

How Do I Know If My Anxiety Will Qualify for Assistance?

What Information Gets Used to Evaluate My Case?

What Happens If I Don’t Meet the Criteria?

How to Apply

When and How Will I Receive Financial Help?

What Happens to My Benefits If I Feel Ready to Start Working Again?

Close

Yes,anxiety disordersfall under the umbrella of disability. So, if you are coping withsocial anxiety disorder (SAD)and are unable to work, you may qualify for assistance.

Social anxiety can be super debilitating and those of us who are strugglingtotallydeserve support and extra care.

At a GlanceSocial anxiety disorder can be tough to live with and you may be in need of some additional support. Applying online might be the easiest way to see if you qualify for assistance. It’s always worth seeking additional help if you feel you need it—so don’t be afraid to ask!

At a Glance

Social anxiety disorder can be tough to live with and you may be in need of some additional support. Applying online might be the easiest way to see if you qualify for assistance. It’s always worth seeking additional help if you feel you need it—so don’t be afraid to ask!

In the United States, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers benefits for people with disabilities. The program provides monetary assistance to individuals who meet the requirements for disability insurance.

There Are Two Government Programs That Provide Assistance for People With Disabilities

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two largest governmental programs that provide financial assistance to people who have disabilities.

You provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with information on your disability when you apply for either program.

For those with social anxiety disorder who are unable to work due to their condition, the SSA may be able to offer financial support.

SSA disability programs set forth criteria that must be met to qualify for assistance for an anxiety disorder in Section 12.06 of the “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security” document.

Here is a list adapted from the SSA government website that shows the criteria someone with social anxiety disorder would potentially have to meet to qualify for assistance.

You Social Anxiety Counts as a Disability If:A social anxiety disorder would need to meet the required level of severity for the condition, which typically involves both:Medical documentation of persistent andirrational fearof social and performance situations that results in a compelling desire toavoid those situations.Marked restriction in activities of daily living and marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning OR complete inability to function independently outside of the home.For someone with SAD, examples of activities of daily living that might be impaired include using public transportation, paying bills, makingphone calls, and attending appointments.People with SAD may fear people, avoid relationships, and experience social isolation.

You Social Anxiety Counts as a Disability If:

A social anxiety disorder would need to meet the required level of severity for the condition, which typically involves both:Medical documentation of persistent andirrational fearof social and performance situations that results in a compelling desire toavoid those situations.Marked restriction in activities of daily living and marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning OR complete inability to function independently outside of the home.For someone with SAD, examples of activities of daily living that might be impaired include using public transportation, paying bills, makingphone calls, and attending appointments.People with SAD may fear people, avoid relationships, and experience social isolation.

A social anxiety disorder would need to meet the required level of severity for the condition, which typically involves both:

For someone with SAD, examples of activities of daily living that might be impaired include using public transportation, paying bills, makingphone calls, and attending appointments.

People with SAD may fear people, avoid relationships, and experience social isolation.

In addition to the above requirements, a person with SAD’s ability to work, as well as whether problems related to the condition have lasted for at least two years, will be considered.

Several information sources will be examined to evaluate your case, including:

A description of your anxiety is required, which will include the nature, frequency, and duration of anyanxiety attacks, thetriggersfor those attacks, and how they affect your ability to function.

Good news! If you have severe impairment in functioning that does not meet the above criteria, youmaystill qualify for support.

Proof That Some of Your Abilities Are Impaired May Still Allow You to Qualify

The SSA recognizes something called residual functional capacity (RFC)—the work-related abilities that you have in spite of your social anxiety disorder.

An Example of When Your Anxiety Isn’t SevereFor example, if you have severe performance anxiety you might be unable to complete job duties as a teacher, even though daily social activities and daily functioning are manageable.

An Example of When Your Anxiety Isn’t Severe

For example, if you have severe performance anxiety you might be unable to complete job duties as a teacher, even though daily social activities and daily functioning are manageable.

How to Cope With Extreme Anxiety

The claim process typically takes place through a local Social Security field office or State agency (called a disability determination service or DDS).

Applying for Disability OnlineIf you’re applying online, you will seesteps on the SSA websiteto carry out the application process:The first step is the view theAdult Disability Checklist(this list will make sure you have everything you need before you submit your application)Now, you’ll be able to actuallyfill out the application hereThe next thing to do is fill out a medical release form

Applying for Disability Online

If you’re applying online, you will seesteps on the SSA websiteto carry out the application process:The first step is the view theAdult Disability Checklist(this list will make sure you have everything you need before you submit your application)Now, you’ll be able to actuallyfill out the application hereThe next thing to do is fill out a medical release form

If you’re applying online, you will seesteps on the SSA websiteto carry out the application process:

After you’ve qualified to receive financial help, you’ll get a letter from the SSA that tells you how much money you will be given and when you will begin receiving payments.

FYI the amount of money you will receive depends on your average lifetime earnings.

If you feel that your situation has changed and you would like to tryworkingagain, you willnotlose your rights to benefits. In fact, you might have access to additional support.

You may even be able to get help paying for work expenses and vocational training. Given the highly treatable nature of SAD, the offer can be a great incentive to return to the workforce if and when you feel ready.

For any more information related to applying for disability benefits for social anxiety,visit the SSA website.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Is Depression a Disability?

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Social Security Administration.Benefits for people with disabilities.

Social Security Administration.Disability Benefits: How you qualify.

Social Security Administration.Apply Online for Disability Benefits.

Social Security Administration.Disability Benefits.

Social Security Administration.Working while disabled: How we can help.

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