Using Drugs or Drinking Alcohol
Social security disability benefits or SSI cannot be paid to you if drugs or alcohol are a material factor in your disability. This means that, if you are only disabled because of drugs or alcohol, you do not get benefits. If you stop using drugs or alcohol, and are still disabled, you are eligible for benefits. It is important to stop drugs or alcohol if you are applying for social security disability or SSI. This is especially true if you have a mental impairment. It can be difficult for SSA to determine if you are disabled because of the drugs/alcohol or because of the mental impairment. So, the best course of action is to simply stop using non-prescribed drugs or alcohol.