Multiple Sclerosis Disability

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease of the nervous system, affecting a person's brain and spinal cord. The protective coating of the nerve cells is damaged by MS and can slow down, or, in worst cases, completely block messages from the brain to the body. The disease has no known causes, but typically affects people between the ages of 20 and 40. Currently, there is no cure for this disease. The disabling effects of MS range in both severity and number, and, at some point, may become so severe that they interfere with someone's ability to work. When this happens, the afflicted person may have to acknowledge that it is time to apply for disability due to multiple sclerosis.

Applying for disability

When someone's multiple sclerosis symptoms reach the point where he or she can no longer work, that person is possibly entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Multiple sclerosis is recognized by the Social Security Administration as a chronic illness with symptoms that can prevent a person from working. Some of these sypmtoms include difficulty walking, seeing, concentrating or remembering, extreme fatigue, speech impairment and side effects of medication. A person can suffer from any combination of these symptoms in order to qualify for disability.

Determination of disability

The Social Security Administration initially checks to see if a person has worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes to qualify for SSDI. The next step is to compare his or her MS symptoms with the disability criteria on the SSA list of impairments. If the person meets one of the four criteria listed, he or she is entitled to benefits. If the person's MS symptoms are not covered by the major criteria, consideration is given to personal limitations, other physical or mental medical conditions, age and work experience. A person must have medical evidence to support his or her disability claim. It is not enough that a doctor says that someone's MS symptoms meet the criteria. It is up to the patient to prove that his or her MS symptoms are severe enough to prevent him or her from working, so it is sensible to hire an attorney who has experience in SSDI claims.

Helpful websites for people with multiple sclerosis

There are a number of websites that can help someone determine if he or she qualifies for disability, including: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/government-affairs-and-advocacy/government-programs/ssdi-patient-faqs/index.aspx#faq_1 http://www.msdisability.net/

It is time to apply for disability due to multiple sclerosis