Navigating the benefits system can be challenging, especially for those with mental health disabilities. This is the case for Thomas Lane, who was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder in his 20s. Despite struggle and adversity, he found joy in working at a healthcare company, where he could draw on his personal experiences to assist patients with mental health issues. Here he led peer support services for 14 years until his illness forced him to request a leave in the summer of 2020.

After applying for Family Medical Leave of Absence as a step towards securing long-term disability benefits, Lane was shocked to discover his job protection had been exhausted and he was in a terminable level position. This is a symptom of a broken benefits system, showing a lack of mental health coverage compared to physical ailments. The lack of parity in long-term disability benefits for mental health conditions compared to physical health conditions is an outdated policy and contributes to this systemic issue.

When Lane finally won his appeal, he received 60% of his income for 12 months, the maximum allowed according to his employer’s policy. However, the process was difficult, lengthy, and filled with obstacles. Such experiences are not isolated, with many American employees experiencing the same difficulties when trying to claim disability benefits for their mental health conditions.

The need for better coverage for mental health-related issues is becoming more urgent as mental health issues continue to rise in the U.S. The disparity in the allowance of benefits between mental health disabilities and physical disabilities demonstrates the need for systemic change in the way mental health is considered and accommodated in the workforce and benefits structure.

If you find yourself in a similar situation as Thomas Lane, and live in California, contacting the California EDD (Employment Development Department) could be a beneficial and necessary step. The EDD helps Californian residents with a range of areas including unemployment insurance benefits, job service, and disability insurance. The EDD customer service are there to support individuals navigating through systems that can often be complex and difficult. Visit eddcaller.com for information on the best way to contact EDD and to get through to a live representative who can guide you through the necessary steps of your claim. The EDD provides vital services and support to individuals struggling to navigate through the system and claim the support they need.