Step 1: Understand Eligible Mental Health Conditions

Qualifying conditions in North Carolina typically include:

• Severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and anxiety disorders are commonly accepted.
• The symptoms must cause marked limitations in daily activities or social functioning.
• Conditions should be documented and treated by licensed mental health professionals.

Step 2: Duration and Severity Requirements

You must prove your disability:

• Has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
• Includes ongoing medical evidence such as therapy notes, hospitalizations, and medication records.
• Demonstrates severe functional limitations in work-related activities.

Step 3: Meeting North Carolina SSDI Work Credits

Eligibility also depends on your work history:

• You must have earned a sufficient number of work credits based on your age at disability onset.
• Typically, 20 credits earned in the last 10 years before disability are required for most adults.
• Work credits verify your contributions to the Social Security system through payroll taxes.

Step 4: SSA Assessment Process

The Social Security Administration will:

• Review medical documentation and mental health evaluations to assess disability severity.
• Determine your residual functional capacity (RFC) to identify what work you can still perform.
• Evaluate all jobs available in the national economy that you can do despite your mental health condition.

Common Challenges to Qualification

Watch out for these common barriers:

• Insufficient or incomplete mental health records to prove severity.
• Mental health conditions that improve quickly or don’t meet severity thresholds.
• Inability to attend SSA's requested exams or provide evidence of work credits.