Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a highly unpredictable disease that can make maintaining a job difficult. While some individuals can keep their condition stable enough to continue working, others face such debilitating symptoms that consistent employment is no longer possible. Fatigue, muscle weakness, cognitive difficulties, and mobility problems can interfere with even basic job functions.
For those whose symptoms make it impossible to sustain full-time employment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may offer critical financial support. However, receiving benefits is not automatic. The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies strict medical and functional criteria when evaluating MS claims. Understanding how the process works can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective coverings surrounding the nerves, known as the myelin sheath. This damage disrupts the normal flow of nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms.
MS is complex in part because it affects people very differently. Some individuals experience relatively mild symptoms that have little impact on their daily lives, while others face debilitating limitations that affect their ability to move, think clearly, and perform basic tasks. Disease progression also varies significantly depending on which type of MS a person has. These types include:
- Relapsing-remitting MS: The most common form causes individuals to experience periods of new or worsening symptoms, known as relapses, that typically develop over the course of days or weeks before partially or fully improving. These relapses are followed by periods of remission that can last months or even years, during which the disease remains relatively quiet.
- Secondary-progressive MS: This form develops in a portion of those who initially have relapsing-remitting MS. Over time, individuals with this type begin to experience a steady progression of symptoms rather than distinct relapses and remissions. While the worsening can be unpredictable, the overall trajectory involves a gradual decline in neurological function.
- Primary-progressive MS: This form is characterized by a slow, steady onset of symptoms from the very beginning, without any relapses. Those with this type do not experience the periods of improvement seen in relapsing-remitting MS, and their condition tends to worsen gradually over time.
Symptoms of MS
Because MS disrupts nerve signals throughout the body, symptoms can vary widely from person to person. The most common symptoms include:
- Bodily pain or discomfort
- Numbness or tingling
- Lhermitte’s sign, an electric shock sensation that radiates down the spine
- Trouble walking and difficulty with balance
- Blurry or double vision
- Loss of vision
As the disease progresses, additional symptoms often develop that can significantly affect daily functioning:
- Muscle weakness
- Poor coordination
- Fatigue
- Tremors
- Loss of feeling
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Slurred speech
- Hearing loss
- Trouble with bowel and bladder functions
- Memory problems
- Issues with concentration, attention, and judgment
Can You Get Disability for MS?
You can get disability benefits for MS, but not simply because you have a diagnosis. The SSA must see that your MS is severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity on a full-time, consistent basis. To qualify, your condition must meet the SSA’s Blue Book listing, which involves satisfying specific medical and functional criteria.
One way to meet the listing is by showing a disorganization of motor function in two extremities. This means that your MS interferes with the movement of two limbs, whether upper or lower, to the point where your ability to function is highly limited. This can include difficulty rising from a seated position, problems maintaining balance while standing or walking, or the inability to effectively use your fingers, wrists, hands, arms, or shoulders to perform tasks.
Alternatively, you may qualify by demonstrating a marked limitation in physical functioning combined with a marked limitation in at least one of the following areas: understanding, remembering, or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or adapting and managing oneself. To meet this standard, you must show that you are seriously limited in your ability to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities, whether those limitations are persistent or occur intermittently due to your symptoms.
Get Help With Your SSDI Claim
Living with MS is challenging enough without having to navigate the complexities of the Social Security disability system on your own. Even individuals with severe, documented disabilities are denied benefits. However, denial does not mean you are out of options. At Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys, we can help you apply for SSDI for the first time or fight for the benefits you are entitled to if your claim has already been denied. Our team understands what it takes to build a strong MS disability case and will guide you through every step of the process, including appeals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help.