Listing code
12.06
Adult (Part A)
Body system
12.00
Mental disorders
Subsections
0
No lettered criteria
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (see 12.00B5 ), satisfied by A and B, or A and C: Medical documentation of the requirements of paragraph 1, 2, or 3: Anxiety disorder, characterized by three or more of the following; Restlessness; Easily fatigued; Difficulty concentrating; Irritability; Muscle tension; or Sleep disturbance. Panic disorder or agoraphobia, characterized by one or both: Panic attacks followed by a persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences; or Disproportionate fear or anxiety about at least two different situations (for example, using public transportation, being in a crowd, being in a line, being outside of your home, being in open spaces). Obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by one or both: Involuntary, time-consuming preoccupation with intrusive, unwanted thoughts; or Repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. AND Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning (see 12.00F ): Understand, remember, or apply information (see 12.00E1 ). Interact with others (see 12.00E2 ). Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace (see 12.00E3 ). Adapt or manage oneself (see 12.00E4 ). OR Your mental disorder in this listing category is "serious and persistent;" that is, you have a medically documented history of the existence of the disorder over a period of at least 2 years, and there is evidence of both: Medical treatment, mental health therapy, psychosocial support(s), or a highly structured setting(s) that is ongoing and that diminishes the symptoms and signs of your mental disorder (see 12.00G2b ); and Marginal adjustment, that is, you have minimal capacity to adapt to changes in your environment or to demands that are not already part of your daily life (see 12.00G2c ).
This listing has no lettered subsections. The diagnosis itself, supported by the medical evidence described in the body-system overview, is what SSA evaluates.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 12.06. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 12.06 usually fail
One common failure mode is counting symptoms incorrectly for an anxiety disorder, since the criteria require three or more of the listed anxiety symptoms (restlessness, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance). Another pitfall is focusing on anxiety or OCD but missing the required functional step, which must be either extreme limitation in one mental functioning area or marked limitation in two of the four areas. A third pitfall is mixing up the panic/agoraphobia criteria with the OCD criteria, since panic/agoraphobia requires either persistent concern after panic attacks or disproportionate fear about at least two different situations, while OCD requires involuntary, time-consuming intrusive thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. A fourth pitfall is trying to use the 'serious and persistent' option without both ongoing, medically documented supports for at least 2 years and evidence of marginal adjustment (minimal capacity to adapt to changes or demands not already part of daily life).
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Documentation needs to support the medical criteria tied to 12.06: for anxiety disorder, medical documentation showing three or more of the listed symptoms (restlessness, easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbance). For panic disorder or agoraphobia, documentation must show one or both required patterns, including panic attacks followed by persistent worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences, or disproportionate fear/anxiety about at least two different situations (examples include public transportation, crowds, lines, outside the home, or open spaces). For OCD, documentation must show one or both required patterns: involuntary time-consuming preoccupation with intrusive unwanted thoughts, and/or repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. For the functional part, the medical record must provide evidence supporting extreme limitation in one, or marked limitation in two, of the four mental functioning areas SSA evaluates: understanding, remembering, or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating,
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
12.06 has two ways to qualify. The first path requires the medical criteria plus the functional criteria: medical evidence of the specific anxiety/OCD features, and then extreme limitation in one mental functioning area or marked limitation in two of the four areas. The second path uses the 'serious and persistent' standard, which still requires a medically documented history over at least 2 years, along with evidence of ongoing treatment, therapy, psychosocial supports, or a highly structured setting that diminishes symptoms and signs, plus marginal adjustment, meaning minimal capacity to adapt to changes or demands not already part of daily life. Many claims that miss the first path still get approved under the second path when the record clearly shows the 2-year history and the required ongoing supports and minimal adjustment capacity.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI, work activity rules apply up front at the start of the process, before benefits are decided. For a condition to qualify under 12.06, SSA must be able to match both the medical criteria for anxiety disorder (including three or more of the listed symptoms) or the panic/agoraphobia or OCD criteria, and then the very serious functional limits (extreme limitation in one mental functioning area or marked limitation in two areas). If approved, benefits eligibility continues through the usual trial work period and then possible extended period of eligibility, depending on work activity.
Listing 12.06 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders disability claims.