Experienced Disability Attorneys for Multiple Sclerosis Claims
Maintaining steady employment is only one of the many challenges facing a person dealing with the physical and mental symptoms of multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms and their severity experienced by a person living with multiple sclerosis change unpredictably over time, making it difficult for a person to anticipate the limitations they will experience.
Multiple sclerosis disability benefits are available through the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs from the Social Security Administration, but you must meet their eligibility requirements. A complicated and confusing application and disability review system results in more than two-thirds of disability claims being denied benefits after the initial review.
The multiple sclerosis disability attorneys at the GCC Law Firm can be counted on to ensure that your application for Social Security for multiple sclerosis gets the attention to detail and skillful advocacy it deserves. Contact one of our disability professionals for a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Qualifying For Disability Benefits With Multiple Sclerosis – The Medical And Non-Medical Eligibility Requirements For SSDI And SSI
The SSDI program serves people with a history of employment or self-employment with payment of Social Security taxes on their earnings or self-employment taxes on their income. SSI eligibility is based on financial need, so it has income and resource limitations rather than a work history requirement for applicants.
Both programs use the same definition to determine whether adults are disabled and eligible for benefits. You must be unable to do substantial gainful work activity because of a medically provable physical or mental health impairment or a combination of impairments. The impairments must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months, or they must be expected to result in death.
The application review process begins with the application being sent to a field office of the Social Security Administration to determine if it meets the non-medical eligibility criteria. It next goes to Disability Determination Services for review of medical documentation to determine if the applicant has a disability according to the federal definition.
- Can the applicant do substantial gainful work activity? This first step uses a monthly income standard to determine if an applicant who works is disabled. For example, the monthly income standard in 2025 is $1,620 with a disability other than blindness. If the applicant earns more than $1,620, they are not disabled.
- Severity of impairment: The process moves on to the next step unless the medical evidence does not prove a severe impairment that cannot be managed through treatment. The failure to document a severe impairment results in a denial of benefits.
- Listing of impairments: The Social Security Administration has a listing of impairments that it deems severe enough to meet the disability standard for eligibility. However, a person with a listed impairment must meet specific medical criteria for a disability determination at this step.
- Ability to do previous work: A claim for benefits will not be approved when the limitations imposed by the medical condition do not prevent the person from doing work they did in the past.
- Ability to adjust to other types of work: A claimant who cannot do their previous work must also be unable to do different types of work based on the medical limitations and their age, work experience, education, and other factors.
A denial of benefits during the initial review process does not end the fight for disability benefits. The multiple sclerosis disability attorneys at GCC Law can challenge an unfavorable decision by submitting an appeal, but you have only 60 days to act. Contact GCC Law to have an experienced disability professional review the decision and advise you about your best option for qualifying for multiple sclerosis disability.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis And Qualifying For Social Security Disability Benefits
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease universally described as unpredictable. Some people may have mild symptoms with only limited impairment, while others could lose their ability to walk, see, or speak. Someone experiencing only mild symptoms may have them worse unexpectedly.
Common early symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:
- Double or blurry vision
- Swelling of the optic nerve with loss of vision and pain
- Trouble maintaining balance and walking
- Numbness and abnormal sensations
As the disease progresses, symptoms may include weakness in the arms and legs, impaired coordination, muscle stiffness and spasms, fatigue, speech, and other physical and mental impairments.
Healthcare providers rely on a clinical history and physical examination to diagnosis the disease. The lack of a test specific to the diagnosis of MS means that medical professionals must rely on ruling out other medical conditions for a patient’s symptoms.
A cure does not yet exist for MS, so treatment typically focuses on efforts to reduce central nervous system inflammation and medication to help a person recover from a flare-up. Rehabilitation and assistive equipment, such as walkers and canes, may be used as part of a treatment regimen.
Disability claims for MS must be supported by medical records documenting a diagnosis and treatment efforts. The records must prove how the disease affects your ability to do work activities to meet the disability definition used to evaluate your claim.
The Social Security Administration includes multiple sclerosis in Section 11.09 of the listing of impairments. The GCC Law multiple sclerosis disability attorneys work with your medical professionals to ensure that complete and current medical records are available for claims examiners to aid in the evaluation process.
Disability Attorneys At GCC Law Fight To Improve Your Chances Of Multiple Sclerosis Disability Benefits Approval
Benefits through Social Security for multiple sclerosis can ease financial struggles. Rely on the experienced and proven disability attorneys at GCC Law for guidance and representation. From submission of your application through the appeal process, our accomplished disability professionals stand by you. Learn more about how we can make a difference in your claim for benefits by contacting us for a complimentary consultation and evaluation of your claim.
Medical Conditions Listed for Disability Benefits:
Call Our Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Disability Lawyers Today
At GCC Law Firm, our Illinois Multiple Sclerosis disability attorneys provide personalized, solutions-driven legal advocacy for clients. If your SSDI or SSI claim has been denied in Illinois, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free and completely confidential initial consultation, please contact our law firm today.
Call (479) 340-0002.