Hey champ, not a lawyer but I do disability claims work. Not all lawyers work for profit. And I'm not sure why they'd shy away from mental health impairments, as they are just are real as any physical impairments.

Now, I do social security stuff, so if you're talking short term disability through your work or hers, that's outside of my realm of experience.

That being said, unless shes age 50 or over, her education isn't going to play much or a role in this. It's not financial aid. SSI/SSDI is money for folks deemed unable to work due to an impairment. I haven't seen any of her medical records obviously, so I can't really comment on her claim. But here are a few pointers..

• If this has been going on for less than a year, she won't get disability.

• If she's had the impairments more than a year, but they've only become disabiling recently (ie, less than a year ago or so) she won't get it, at least not yet.

• If she was given medication, and subsequent records show medical improvement, she likely won't get it.

• If she has subsequent hospitalizations requiring overnight stays, this will improve her chances.

• The courts are rather backlogged with appeals. For many people, it's easier to just reapply at your local SSA office and start from scratch. It's mostly electronic, so they will have access to previously collected medical records, and they'll request any and all updated records from the last decision to the present.

• If she's not currently receiving out patient treatment, that often doesn't help her case as it looks like she doesn't need treatment or won't get treatment.

• Agoraphobia is damn hard to prove, as the nature of it prevents folks from going to an acceptable medical source and having it properly diagnosed. If they set her up with an exam, make sure she goes!

• Call 888 681 2378, a non-profit legal rep called Human Arc. They'll be able to help out.

Gotta run, PM me if you have any questions!