The Social Security Administration (SSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and some state workers’ compensation systems all recognize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a disability.
However, each of these programs has its own set of rules for who can apply. You must have medical documentation proving that your PTSD makes it hard for you to function and meet the requirements of each program in order to get benefits.
Read on to learn more about the options that exist and how to apply for disability benefits if you are suffering from PTSD.
Is PTSD Considered A Disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized PTSD as a disability if it makes it hard for someone to do one or more essential things in their life, such as working, concentrating, or socializing.
People with PTSD can’t be discriminated against at work simply based on their diagnosis. The ADA also states that employers must make reasonable accommodations, such as adjusting work hours or providing time off for treatment, as long as these changes don’t impose an undue hardship on the employer [1].
The SSA also recognizes PTSD as a disability under the category of “trauma and stressor-related disorders.” To get Social Security Disability benefits, you need to show documented proof that your PTSD makes it hard for you to do your job or everyday tasks and meet other eligibility criteria [2].
What Types of Social Security Disability Benefits Can You Receive for PTSD?
Typically, there are two primary kinds of Social Security Disability benefits available for those with PTSD. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Depending on your work history and financial needs, these programs have different requirements for who can apply.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you’ve been working for an extended period and have paid Social Security taxes. And if you meet all eligibility requirements, SSDI will pay you monthly benefits based on your previous earnings.
Current SSDI Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Eligibility Guidelines
As of 2025, the current SSDI eligibility guidelines for PTSD are as follows [3]:
1. Determine if an individual is engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) and earning more than the SGA threshold as an employee (in 2025, $1,620 a month for non-blind individuals or $2,700 for the blind).
2. Must be severe enough to significantly limit one’s ability to perform basic work activities needed to do most jobs. For example:
- Walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling.
- Seeing, hearing, or speaking.
- Understanding/carrying out, and remembering simple instructions.
- Responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and usual work situations.
- Dealing with changes in a routine work setting.
3. Medical documentation of all of the following:
- Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence.
- Subsequent involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event (for example, intrusive memories, dreams, or flashbacks).
- Avoidance of external reminders of the event.
- Disturbance in mood, behavior, and increases in arousal and reactivity (for example, exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbance).
The SSA will assess an individual’s ability to perform work they have previously done, despite their disorder. If the SSA determines that the person can return to their previous work, benefits are denied. If the person cannot complete the work, then benefits are often approved.
If the exact criteria are not met, a medical-vocational allowance may be given, taking into account things like age, education, and work experience. Here is a resource to help you read more about whether you are eligible for a medical-vocational allowance.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program that helps people with low income and few resources. It doesn’t require a work history, unlike SSDI. To get SSI, a person must show that their PTSD makes it hard for them to work for at least a year and that they meet the financial requirements (earning less than $2,019 per month) [4].
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
For veterans with PTSD, disability benefits are approved through the VA and determined based on the severity of PTSD symptoms. The VA assigns PTSD disability ratings at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, with each rating corresponding to specific levels of symptoms and functional impairment.
Veterans who cannot work due to PTSD may be eligible for Individual Unemployability (IU), which grants a 100% disability rating even if their symptoms don’t meet the typical medical criteria for that rating [5].
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
You can apply for disability benefits in person at your local Social Security office, over the phone, or online. Veterans can contact their local VA hospital or regional office. The application will ask for information about your work history, medical care, and personal life.
You will likely be asked for the following documentation:
- Medical documentation (psychiatric assessments, therapy records, medications).
- Records of ongoing treatment or progress reports.
- Other official reports related to PTSD (police reports, hospital stays).
- Statement from previous employer or documentation showing how your PTSD has affected your work functioning.
- Assessment from a mental health professional regarding social and occupational functioning, such as a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) report.
- Proof of service (for veterans) and incident reports detailing exposure to trauma.
There are several steps to take, and small mistakes, such as not providing sufficient information about your medical treatment, could lead to denial. Before submitting your application, consider consulting with a disability lawyer. Many offer free consultation services or work directly with community resource offices to help those in need file their claims.
What to Do If Your Disability is Denied
First, understand why your case was denied, then you can work with a case manager or lawyer to reappeal. Some of the most common reasons for disability getting denied include [3]:
- Not enough medical evidence to support a PTSD diagnosis or its effect on the ability to work.
- Not enough proof that the condition stops SGA.
- Application materials or information are missing or wrong.
- Mistakes made by SSA during processing.
- Making more than the 2025 SGA limit of $1,620 per month.
If you are denied, you usually have about 60 days to appeal. This process might include:
- Request for reconsideration: A different SSA examiner will look at the claim again and may approve or deny it again.
- Hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If the request for reconsideration is turned down, the applicant can ask for a hearing. At the hearing, they can present new evidence and have witnesses testify, such as medical experts or previous employers.
- Review by the appeals council: The applicant can ask the SSA Appeals Council to look over the case again if the ALJ denies it.
- In the federal court: If the Appeals Council turns down the claim, the last thing you can do is sue in federal district court.
It is very important to get complete medical records, follow the treatments that have been prescribed, and think about getting help from disability lawyers who have handled PTSD claims before during the appeals process.
Many initial denials are overturned on appeal due to missing information, so it’s important to make sure all your documentation is correct, follow the steps, and keep trying.
Trauma-Informed Care and PTSD Support at Maple Mountain
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, we are committed to following the principles of trauma-informed care to address the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our clients. Healing doesn’t just mean symptom management; it involves mental processing and somatic integration.
Our PTSD and complex trauma inpatient treatment combines evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Somatic Experience, with integrated wellness activities such as ceramics, painting, dance, and trauma-informed yoga. We work with you to address the impacts of unprocessed trauma and achieve lasting emotional growth and well-being.
Contact our admissions team today.
Sources
[1] US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 2016. Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights.
[2] Social Security Administration. Disability Evaluation Under Social Security.
[3] National Social Security Representatives. Social Security Disability Benefits For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
[4] SSA. Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
[5] US Department of Veterans Affairs. 2025. VA Disability Compensation.