In January, Covid-19 made its way to news headlines. By March, national events were canceled. And within a span of a few weeks, Americans were suddenly losing their jobs, and asked to confine themselves to their home. 

On top of a pandemic, our nation is experiencing an incredible amount of turbulence. Between The Black Lives Matter movement, a presidential election, natural disasters, among a plethora of other social issues, it’s hard for anyone to navigate this uncertain and troubling time, let alone someone who already struggles with depression and anxiety. 

Millions of Americans are suffering, or will suffer from some sort of PTSD due to ramifications of Covid-19. Essential workers and first responders like nurses, police officers, and grocery store workers are among those particularly affected, as they’re witnessing everything first hand on the frontlines. 

Do I file for unemployment or a disability claim? 

If you’re suffering from PTSD and/or depression due to the impact of Covid-19, you may be eligible to make a current short-term disability or even long-term disability claim. The effects depression and PTSD can have on your ability to work is no joke, and often have a big impact on your ability to work. If you’ve lost your job due to Covid-19, the natural next step would be to file for unemployment. However, filing for unemployment means that you are “able and ready to work,” and are actively seeking to find another job. But if you feel so debilitated that you physically and mentally cannot work, a short-term or long-term disability claim might be your next move. 

Despite its prevalence and crippling effects, filing an individual or long-term disability claim for depression can be challenging. Unfortunately, depression can take on a variety of forms, and sometimes it’s hard to “prove” your mental illness. It’s important to know how your policy defines disability. To qualify for mental disability benefits, you have to prove your depression meets the criteria for disability as defined in your policy. Every policy is different, but they generally include parameters stating you should have some sort of illness or injury, physical or mental, that prevents you from performing your job duties. 

How can I prove my mental disability? 

If you’re looking to file a disability claim for depression, make sure you have clear, organized medical records to submit. Whether you’re seeking an online therapist or seeing your local psychiatrist, any documentation is helpful in stating your case. You might also consider keeping a symptom journal/diary as additional proof of your ongoing symptoms. Make sure you’re staying on track with any doctor’s appointments, following recommended courses of treatment, and ensure your doctor is actively monitoring your prescription and documenting any side effects. 

The best way to improve your chances of winning a mental disability claim is to hire a lawyer! And that’s where we come in. Disability Associates is happy to assist you in the claim process, or represent you in front of a judge should your claim get denied. And bonus — you won’t get charged unless we win your case! Contact us online today or give us a call at (410) 686-2227.