Sacramento Mental Illness and SSD Lawyers
If you or someone you love is suffering from a mental illness, including a depressive disorder, you already know how tough life can be and how hard it is just to get through the day. You may not be able to do the work you used to do. Unfortunately, these disorders are not always easy to prove, and it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side.
Since 1990, Milam Law has helped people who need to file Social Security disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims for mental illnesses, including major depressive disorders. As mental health becomes more accepted, it has become easier to file a successful SSD or SSI claim for a mental illness. We know and understand the claims process, including how to appeal denials.
In addition to thousands of clients served who have had mental illness, Mr. Milam has had a history of dealing with almost an entire branch of his family, through marriage, having major, mental illnesses. As a result, he has dealt in the family with borderline personality disorder, major depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. He has had discussions with judges who have family members with disabling mental illness. Mental disabilities cut through all people groups. So, he knows how devastating such conditions are for you and your family members. It can be the precipitator for all kinds of behavior, from divorce and estrangement to even criminal behavior. Some come out of youth issues, including molestation and violence — we see this over and over at Milam Law. Our associates have their own experiences in dealing with mental health issues, which have included educational studies done. Attorney Bosavanh has been on the Fresno County Mental Health Board for years. Mr. Milam has been a speaker and liaison for mental health services, on occasion, as well. This background has made us all more understanding and empathetic of what you go through when you have mental or emotional disabilities. And our staff knows how hard it is: They are in the trenches with you many times, during the good, bad and ugly. We ARE ready to help you.
From the outset, we give you instructions on how to get treatment for, and present, your mental disability. We also encourage you through the additionally fragile time you spend while awaiting SSA's decisions on your claim, and holding you up on our end, whenever they deny you. If SSA denies you, there is always hope, and you MUST make sure you get reinforcement if needed to get over the [extra] emotional hit by checking in with your doctor, a church leader, a friend or whomever can give you the extra touch of support needed.
Information on this website is provided as a service of Milam Law. Contact us regarding Social Security disability claims and denials.
Fresno Depression and Social Security Disability Attorneys
In order to prove that you are eligible for SSD benefits, you must show that you have a viable mental disorder. This not only includes major depressive disorders, but can also include disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders.
In any claim for mental illness, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will take into account day-to-day behavior, hygiene, functioning ability, social skills, ability to concentrate and other motor skills. Based on these factors, as well as proving you are unable to work, the SSA will make a determination on your claim. With an experienced attorney on your side, you can improve your chances of a successful claim.
At Milam Law, we help you to understand how mental illness and SSD laws relate. Then, we give you options to choose from to increase your chances to win.
A considerable issue with many mental health claims is drug or alcohol addiction (DAA). As a general rule, we believe that the SSA tries to find a way to deny anyone who uses either if there is mental health impairment. So, it is extremely important to be very careful where DAA is an involved in a case, even if not "material" to the disability. At Milam Law, we hit this issue head on with clients and with SSA, and have a great deal of experience in doing so. We think that drug and alcohol addiction is one of the worst and most pervasive disabilities in America, but it is an albatross for an SSD case. We will try to establish, as part of your claim, any medical residual you now have from prior substance abuse, such as memory loss, but the bias against DAA is the worst we have experienced in 25 years. Nonetheless, if your DAA is in remission, any medical problem which arose out of that addiction is a basis for winning your case. The key is staying clean and sober. And, by the way, major congratulations if you have achieved a clean and sober status; we know how hard that is and you are to be commended. We hope if we can assist you with your disability, you will eventually be able to complete your recovery and reenter the work force. [A caveat: Even if you are addicted to something, if you have a physical disability, say, because of a back surgery, the DAA problem is not supposed to impact your ability to win.]
So, it is critical that you do not drink or use any nonprescribed drug if you are trying to get mental disability. At Milam Law, we feel we have a considerable understanding of how the DAA laws relate to mental illness. While we disagree with the government's laws on DAA, we must proceed to address those same laws, and help our clients understand and abide by those rules so they can win their cases.
Contact Our Firm and Schedule a Free Consultation
For more information regarding disability benefits for major depressive disorders, contact us at Milam Law and schedule a free, initial consultation. Call one of our Central Valley offices, including Sacramento, to make an appointment.
