Qualifying for SSDI for Migraines
The first step in learning how to secure SSDI for migraines is to understand how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability. Under the administration’s guidelines, a disability is a mental or physical condition that is expected to last at least one year, is severe, and prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. The SSA lists impairments in the SSA Blue Book that it considers severe enough to qualify for SSDI. However, in addition to proving that your condition is severely disabling, you must also show that you meet the preliminary criteria for SSDI based on your earnings record and work history.
Are Migraines in the Disability Listings?
The SSA’s Blue Book includes hundreds of medical conditions that automatically qualify applicants for benefits as long as they meet all of the condition’s listed criteria. However, the Blue Book doesn’t contain a specific listing for migraines. This means you won’t be able to meet a listing based on experiencing chronic migraines. However, you might be able to present evidence showing that your symptoms are equal in severity to a similar listed condition.
For example, epilepsy and migraines share many clinical features, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It’s possible that you could present evidence from your neurologist that your migraines are severe and frequent enough to equal the listing criteria found in the listing for epilepsy, which is found in 11.02.
It can still be difficult to prove that your symptoms meet the listing, however. You’ll need to demonstrate that your migraines continue to occur despite adhering to your recommended treatment, including seeing your doctor and taking prescribed medication.
Getting SSDI Without Meeting or Equaling an Impairment Listing
You might still be able to get approved for SSDI without meeting or equaling a listed condition. Instead, you’ll need to qualify through a medical-vocational allowance. The SSA will require you to undergo a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment and consider your age, employment history, and education to determine whether you can perform any type of work. The RFC assessment looks at what you can do despite your migraines. Since the SSA assesses how all of your conditions combine to impact your ability to work, it’s important to list every medical condition you have and are receiving treatment for.
Since migraines don’t show up on imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, or X-rays, your doctor might want to rule out other potential causes. In addition, you might need to keep a headache journal to record details about each migraine’s pain intensity (rated on a scale from 1 to 10), its length, any auras you experienced, potential triggers, and whether your medications provided relief. Your headache journal can also be helpful evidence when you submit your SSDI claim, when combined with medical records from your treating physicians and other evidence, including a statement from your former employer about how your migraines interfered with your ability to perform.
Finally, you’ll need to show that you adhered to treatment, including taking prescription medication to address your symptoms. Since medication can control migraines for many people, the SSA will want to see proof that you tried migraine medication but still continue to experience frequent and severe migraines.
Work Credit Requirements
If you’re wondering how to secure SSDI for migraines, don’t forget about the work credit requirements. To qualify for SSDI, you must have made enough contributions to the Social Security fund through payroll deductions or self-employment taxes. You demonstrate this by earning enough work credits. Most adults need to have earned 40 work credits, with 20 of those earned during the 10 years immediately preceding their applications, to qualify for SSDI. Four credits are earned per year. Younger adults may qualify with fewer credits, however.
Talk to Our Experienced Disability Lawyers
If you’re unsure whether your migraines are severe and frequent enough to qualify for SSDI, you should consult the experienced disability attorneys at the law firm of Ellis & Associates. We offer free consultations and can review your medical records to give you an idea of your legal options. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation by calling 800-MR-ELLIS or sending us a message online.