I agree with Rose76. I just had my SSI hearing. I had a lawyer and have a long history of failures in working. You need to have good documentation and I would recommend getting a lawyer. With a lawyer, your chances are better. They do take your age into consideration. I am 55 and the older you are, the better chance you have of getting approved.

It also helps if you have more than 1 diagnosis. I have bipolar, chronic migraines and GAD.
Depression for me had always been fluctuating.I had periods in the past 20 years where I could hold a job, but now I can't. It's true that many people with chronic depression do work. More out of necessity than anything else. Frankly, I would love to be able to work.