Obtaining social welfare benefits for persons with serious mental illness.

The types of social welfare benefits available for mentally ill patients, including Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Aid to Families With Dependent Children, Medicare, and Medicaid, are briefly described, and their eligibility criteria are summarized. Special requirements that may apply to immigrants are briefly noted. Case vignettes illustrate how mental health professionals can help patients obtain benefits to improve the quality of their living conditions.