Paula ~
Although I'm not really an 'expert' on obtaining Social Security disability benefits, I can tell you that to use depression as a reason for applying you'll need a doctor to validate that claim. My wife had myriad doctors letters and voluminous documentation for her physical limitations that prevented her from working (due to severe spinal injuries and numerous operations) but was turned down, twice. We later learned that everyone is turned down at least once. It's almost a rule. She then hired an attorney that specialized in Social Security disability claims. He suggested she add 'depression' to her claim. She hesitated but eventually agreed. That required a formal mental evaluation from a Social Security Administration-approved psychologist (they paid his fee) and when he agreed that she did have a mild form of depression, she was approved for benefits (six months later). Fortunately, she had a long-term income protection policy through her employer that paid her 70% of her former salary. This was ultimately reduced when she began receiving SS benefits so that the combination of SS benefits and the income protection policy payments do not exceed 70% of her former salary. She is still technically still an employee of the company - on a (very) long-term disability leave (she left work in 1997).
The take-away from all this that: (a) your first application for benefits will very likely be turned down - but maybe not, (b) engage an attorney specializing in Social Security disability claims to fight for you* and, (c) if you claim depression, plan to be interviewed by a psychologist who is not necessarily sympathetic to your claim.
I wish you success.
Jim
*Attorneys specializing in Social Security Administration disability claims will usually work on a contingency fee basis. If you are awarded Social Security disability benefits, the initial check you receive will be for an amount that reflects payments due that are retroactive to the date you applied for benefits. This can sometimes add up to a year or more of monthly benefits, which can amount to thousands of dollars. The attorney will usually take a third of that amount as payment. This is always contractually agreed upon when they accept your case. There may be some minor expenses you'll have to pay (like copying costs) - but not much. Once her claim was approved, my wife realized a substantial amount of 'back' benefits even after the attorney fees were paid out. Ironically, her private insurer insisted that she apply for Social Security disability benefits because they are an 'entitlement'. Of course, by her receiving government benefits, the insurance company was able to drastically reduce the amount they had to pay her each month, so their motives were rather transparent.
