It mirrored an online petition on the website that was signed by 104,551 people, contending that fibromyalgia is a disability. All of the conditions that qualify for social security disability benefits are listed in the social security administrations blue book, and there is no official listing for migraine disease. The social security administration ssa maintains a listing of medical impairments known as the blue book that would automatically qualify you for social security. The petition called for greater research into the causes and treatment of fibromyalgia, and for greater awareness of fibromyalgia among the medical profession, government departments and employers. Many applicants for social security disability benefits who apply based on fibromyalgia fm get denied. Qualifying for benefits under a disability listing. Ssdi and fibromyalgia is a sometimes complicated relationship. While shingles can be extremely painful and debilitating, the ssa doesnt list it in the blue book of eligible disabilities. How to apply for disability benefits with fibromyalgia. The social security disability blue book contains more than 100 medical conditions, each with their own set of criteria that must be met to be considered disabled for ssd purposes. To get disability for chronic pain from shingles, you must also have one of the following qualifying secondary medical conditions. Letters for lyme, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, mental health, cognitive problems, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and related conditions. Fibromyalgia is not specifically discussed in the social security administrations ssa blue book listing of disabling conditions but dont worry. Cervical radiculopathy and disability benefits the.
This is because social security does not have a disability listing for this condition in its blue book, a listing of impairments and requirements that are approved for benefits. Fibromyalgia is not currently an impairment included in the social security administration impairments listing manual called blue book. Chronic pain is not a listed impairment in social security s blue book, the listing of impairments that may automatically qualify you for disability benefits. Getting social security disability for fibromyalgia. The blue book separates impairments into different categories and lists the. If that is the case, the individual may be able to obtain social security disability benefits because they have adhd. Can an adult with adhd or add get disability benefits. Listing of impairments adult listings part a social security. Immune system disorders can cause a deficit in a single organ or body system that results in extreme that is, very serious loss of function. The blue book is a complicated resource for most people to use though, as it is written for medical professionals and therefore contains lots of technical language and complex medical information.
The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, but its linked to a number of things, including traumatic. Immune system disorders may result in recurrent and unusual infections, or inflammation and dysfunction of the bodys own tissues. Psoriasis free heavy sweating in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome. Has anyone with fibromyalgia ever won their disability.
Does fibromyalgia qualify me for disability benefits. Disability evaluation under social security listing of impairments adult listings part a the following sections contain medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over and that may apply to the evaluation of impairments in children under age 18 if the disease processes have a similar effect on adults. Fibromyalgia, work, disability, benefits, social security. How to get social security disability for moderate multiple sclerosis the social security blue book helps establish a disabling a condition must be to qualify for social security disability benefits. Social security s ruling explains when fibromyalgia should be found as a medically determinable impairment, the first test you must pass when applying for disability. Individuals with fibromyalgia may suffer from chronic and widespread body pain, fatigue, migraines, memory problems and other symptoms. Social security offers two programs for those seeking benefits in conjunction with their mental and physical disabilities.
Common disorders include degenerative disc disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia and. The social security administration ssa is generally skeptical of disability claims based solely on chronic fatigue syndrome cfs. Webmd looks at the ways employers can accommodate workers with fibromyalgia and how to apply for disability benefits if symptoms make it too difficult to work. The social security administration ssa uses the blue book to determine whether someone has a disability that prevents them from working. Can i get social security disability for fibromyalgia. These new guidelines tell the applicant, claimants representative and physician the specific information social security requires in order to make a decision on disability.
In addition to meeting the listing criteria, the disability must either last, or be expected to last 12 months, or result in death. However, migraine can be symptoms of other health problems that are listed in the blue book. Because of this, the social security administration ssa includes adhd in its blue book of impairment. The ssa has what they refer to as a blue book which lists diseases and conditions that are considered severe enough to prevent the applicant from working at any job in the economy. How the social security blue book of impairments can. There is no listing in the blue book, the social security list of impairments. The social security blue book listing of impairments. Describing your fibromyalgia symptoms alone will not qualify you for social security disability. Fibromyalgia is a painful and debilitating condition, yet many fibromyalgia suffers who apply for social security disability benefits get denied. The lupus disability listing appears in the immune system disorders section of the ssas blue book. What medical conditions qualify for social security disability or ssi. After being exposed to mold in her apartment, sunflower got approved for disability based on chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression and mold exposure. Filing for social security disability with a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia and social security disability citizens. With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits. How to apply for disability due to fibromyalgia healthline. While the ssa doesnt officially list fibromyalgia, there are some things you can do to make sure you receive social security benefits. Therefore when an applicant submitted an application with only fibromyalgia, their chances for approval were slim. Including samples of the actual forms and letters that helped her win her case. Part of the reason is that social security doesnt have a. Social security disability claims based on fibromyalgia can be some of the most difficult cases for disability applicants to win. However, if it can be proven that your symptoms are disruptive, and distracting enough to keep you from working a fulltime job, you may be able to get benefits. Recognition of fibromyalgia as a disability house of. Make sure your medical records document all of your symptoms and limitations.
The social security blue book from the social security administration ssa lists medical conditions and specific descriptions of impairments to help people applying for disability benefits better understand what qualifies and what doesnt. How i got approved for disability for fibromyalgia how. Tips on applying for disability benefits with fibromyalgia. Cervical radiculopathy is the damage or disturbance of nerve function that results if one of the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae is compressed. Getting disability benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome. How to qualify for social security disability for chronic pain.
This was due to the fact that the social security administrations blue book and the social security ruling the guides used to determine if a condition qualifies for disability benefits did not include the condition fibromyalgia. If you are applying for social security disability for fibromyalgia, you may find it difficult to receive an initial approval. The ruling relies on criteria issued by the american college of rheumatology acr to determine whether an applicant has fibromyalgia. When you have a disability that is listed in the blue book, you have cleared a major hurdle in gaining approval. Fibromyalgia, social security disability, and applying for. Other diseases and conditions such as fibromyalgia are not listed.
This social security ruling ssr, which took effect upon publication, explains our policies for developing evidence to establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment mdi of fibromyalgia fm. Because the symptoms are often selfreported, youll need. Will social security approve disability benefits for. These symptoms may be so severe that prevents a persons. Social security disability blue book social security disability. Sample doctors letters for social security disability. As such, you can only be approved by showing that you cannot do your.
Has anyone with fibromyalgia ever won their disability case. An illness or disease does not need to be listed in social security s blue book to qualify for disability benefits. Fibromyalgia fm is one of the harder conditions to get approved for as a disability. Fibromyalgia and social security disability citizens disability. Fibromyalgia, work, disability, benefits, social security, and more. Social security disability for chronic pain caused by shingles. Weve mentioned this before for longterm disability, but it is also true for ssdi, know your medical records. Ssdi and fibromyalgia what you need to know social. Because fibromyalgia s symptoms are generally selfreported, disability claims examiners and administrative law judges are often reluctant to approve fibromyalgia claims, even when an individual has received consistent treatment from a physician who supports their case. Good day i was looking through the ssdi blue book and trying to locate the codes for. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 the social security administration ssa has prepared an online guide disability evaluation under social security external icon to provide physicians and other health professionals with an understanding of how its disability programs are administered. Claims are rarely approved at the initial or reconsideration levels, and even at the hearing level, most administrative law judges aljs are reluctant to pay benefits except in the most compelling cases. Has anyone out there had success with filing for ssdi for fibromyalgia.
Ssa published ssr 122p, evaluation of fibromyalgia on july 25, 2012. In this article our long beach social security attorneys discuss under what conditions you can collect social security disability for your fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there is no listing for fibromyalgia in social security s guide to disabling conditions also known as the blue book, so proving total disability and achieving disability benefits because of an fm diagnosis can be difficult because there are no specific criteria for approval. Heres what you need to know about whether your medical condition will qualify for disability and how to apply for benefits. You dont need to meet a blue book listing to qualify for disability benefits.
Fibromyalgia determine if an individual is working engaging in substantial. As such, you can only be approved by showing that you cannot do your past work, or any other work, based on your age, education, work skills, and the limitations caused by your condition. Can someone with cervical radiculopathy pinched nerve receive social security disability benefits. How social security evaluates chronic pain in disability. Disability and mecfs myalgic encephalomyelitischronic. Ever since i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia my life has changed considerably. Disability benefits for fibromyalgia learn how to apply. Will social security approve disability benefits for fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common, chronic disorder that causes muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, tenderness, stiffness, and trigger points. If you can pass these threshold tests, social security will assess whether your impairment qualifies for disability benefits. Many doctors dont know what kind of information social security is looking for. At the end of the day, the social security administration is most. Disability lawyer info, disability back pay social security disability ssi list of conditions and impairments many medical conditionsphysical, psychological, and psychiatricare contained in the social security administration s blue book listings, otherwise known as the publication, disability evaluation under social security. How someone with chronic migraine can qualify for social.