PTSD as a Disability Status: An Analysis
In the United States, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is recognised as a disability under several federal laws, providing protection and benefits for those affected.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including PTSD. The ADA covers many disabilities and protects people against discrimination in areas such as employment, state and local government services, public transit, businesses open to the public, and telecommunications.
Under the ADA, PTSD is recognised as a disability if it substantially limits one or more major life activities such as working, concentrating, or communicating. This means that individuals with PTSD are protected from workplace discrimination and employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations, such as modified schedules or time off for treatment, unless these impose undue hardship on the employer.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers PTSD a disability if there is a formal diagnosis from a qualified medical provider and medical evidence shows that symptoms significantly impair your ability to function in work or daily activities, expected to last at least 12 months. Specifically, you must demonstrate either:
- Extreme limitation in one area of mental functioning (e.g., understanding, concentration, social interaction, or adapting to changes),
- Or marked limitations in two areas of mental functioning, with documented symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, mood instability, or heightened arousal.
Supporting evidence must include medical records documenting symptoms and their impact, including treatment history, and for some cases, an ongoing course of treatment for at least two years.
To qualify for SSA benefits, you must also demonstrate that your PTSD prevents you from substantial gainful activity (work) and meets income/work history requirements, especially for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
The VA's disability benefits for PTSD include healthcare, compensation or payments, and treatment for PTSD. The VA provides disability benefits for veterans with PTSD if the stressor, event, or trauma occurred during their time of service and they cannot function as well as they once could due to PTSD symptoms. To receive VA disability benefits for PTSD, a person needs to file a disability claim.
With effective treatment and support, many people with PTSD can live healthy and fulfilling lives. Common treatments for PTSD include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and complementary and alternative therapies.
For those seeking SSA and SSDI benefits due to PTSD, applications can be made through the SSA website. For more information about the ADA and how to file a complaint, people can visit the ADA website.
In summary, the ADA and SSA provide protection and benefits for individuals with PTSD, with the ADA focusing on discrimination protection and accommodation in employment, and the SSA having strict medical and functional criteria for disability benefits. It is essential to seek professional help and understand the criteria for each programme to ensure the best possible outcomes.
[1] Social Security Administration (SSA). (n.d.). Disability Planner: Mental Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/disabilityresearch/disability-planner-mental-disorders.htm [3] Social Security Administration (SSA). (n.d.). Blue Book: Mental Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm [5] U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (n.d.). PTSD. Retrieved from https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/ptsd.cfm
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict medical and functional criteria for disability benefits related to mental health, including PTSD, requiring evidence of either extreme limitation in one area or marked limitations in two areas of mental functioning.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, including PTSD, in areas such as employment, state and local government services, public transit, businesses open to the public, and telecommunications.
- Veterans with PTSD can receive disability benefits from the VA, including healthcare, compensation or payments, and treatment for PTSD, if the stressor, event, or trauma occurred during their time of service.
