Can You Get Disability For Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease is a devastating neurological condition that slowly robs people of their ability to move, think clearly, and live independently. Given how debilitating it is, many people still find themselves asking, “Is Huntington’s disease a disability in the eyes of Social Security?” 

The short answer is yes, but understanding how the Social Security Administration evaluates Huntington’s disease and what evidence you need is important for the success of your claim.

In this article, we’ll discuss how Huntington’s disease can affect your ability to work, how you can get disability for Huntington’s disease, and what role the Social Security Compassionate Allowances list plays in expediting your claim.

What is Huntington’s disease?

Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that gradually damages nerve cells in the brain. It targets areas that control voluntary movement and memory, causing them to lose function and deteriorate over time.

Although rare, Huntington’s disease currently affects about 41,000 Americans, with more than 200,000 at risk of inheriting the disease. Symptoms typically appear between the ages of 30 and 50, but they can begin at any age.

This condition impacts both your physical and mental health. Physical symptoms often begin subtly but progressively worsen. Common physical symptoms include:

• Uncontrolled movements
• Loss of coordination
• Difficulty walking
• Trouble swallowing
• Slurred speech

Depression is the most common mental health condition linked to Huntington’s disease, which is estimated to affect approximately 40% of individuals with the condition. It often stems from changes in brain function, not just the emotional impact of a diagnosis. Huntington’s disease has been linked to several mental health disorders, such as mania, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and various other psychotic disorders.

Is Huntington’s disease a disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) includes Huntington’s disease as a qualifying disability in its Blue Book of impairments, under Section 11.17 for Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system. It also meets the criteria under Section 12.02 for neurocognitive disorders. 

Because Huntington’s disease is severe and progressive, the SSA has identified it as clearly meeting its qualifying criteria, and it is also listed as part of the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. 

The CAL program fast-tracks disability applications for individuals with the most serious medical conditions, allowing those with a confirmed diagnosis of Huntington’s disease to qualify for expedited Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Huntington’s disease and Compassionate Allowances

The SSA uses the Compassionate Allowances program to quickly identify medical conditions that clearly meet its standards for disability benefits. This program helps reduce wait times and speeds up decisions for people with the most severe disabilities.

To determine which conditions qualify, the SSA gathers input from the public, Disability Determination Service communities, medical and scientific experts, and researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Using this input, the SSA maintains and regularly updates its list of CAL-eligible conditions.

Because Huntington’s disease is a severe, progressive, and ultimately terminal neurological disorder, the SSA includes it on the Compassionate Allowances list.

If you apply for SSDI and your condition, like Huntington’s disease, appears on the list, the SSA flags your application for expedited processing. Instead of waiting months or even years for a decision, you could receive a decision in just a few weeks. 

Qualifying for SSDI with Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is classified both as a neurodegenerative disorder and a neurocognitive disorder in the SSA’s list of qualifying impairments, also called the Blue Book. You can find it listed under Section 11.17 and Section 12.02. 

To qualify for disability benefits, you must show that your Huntington’s disease is severe, long-lasting, and prevents you from doing any substantially gainful work.

Qualifying with Section 11.17: Neurodegenerative disorders

If you’re trying to qualify under Section 11.17, you must meet one of two sets of criteria outlined in 11.17A or 11.17B.

11.17A requires that you have severe problems with muscle control in two limbs that cause an extreme limitation in one of the following:

• Standing up from sitting
• Balancing while standing or walking
• Using your arms and hands for activities

Or

11.17B, which states that you must have a marked limitation in physical abilities and one of the following:

• Understanding, remembering, or using information
• Interacting with other people
• Focusing and staying on task consistently
• Handling emotions, stress, or day-to-day responsibilities

Qualifying with Section 12.02: Neurocognitive disorders

You may also qualify for disability benefits for Huntington’s disease under Section 12.02 of the SSA’s Blue Book, which covers neurocognitive disorders. To meet this listing, you must satisfy two of three sets of criteria: either 12.02A and 12.02B, or 12.02A and 12.02C.

The criteria outlined in 12.02A require medical records that show a clear decline in mental abilities compared to how you functioned before. This decline must affect at least one of the following areas:

• Focus and attention
• Planning and decision making
• Learning and memory
• Language skills
• Movement and coordination
• Social awareness or behavior

The second set of criteria, 12.02B, states that you must have an extreme limitation with one, or a marked limitation of two of the following:

• Understanding, remembering, or using information
• Interacting with other people
• Focusing, staying on task, or keeping a steady pace
• Adapting to changes or managing your behavior and emotions

In 12.02C, your mental disorder must be considered serious and long-lasting for at least two years, with medical evidence to support, and there is evidence of both of the following:

• There is proof that you’ve been receiving ongoing treatment or support that helps reduce your symptoms
• You have difficulty coping with change or handling situations that aren’t part of your routine

The SSA defines an extreme limitation as the inability to function independently, effectively, and consistently. A marked limitation means you can function, but your ability is significantly limited or inconsistent.

Submitting a complete and detailed application with all the necessary records can help prevent delays, as the approval process can take several months or longer.

What evidence can help your claim?

To build a strong case to support your Huntington’s disease disability application, you can start by reviewing the SSA’s specific criteria and directly linking your symptoms to the requirements listed in the Blue Book. Then you’ll want to gather extensive evidence showing your symptoms meet the SSA’s criteria.

Medical evidence can include:

• Medical records showing how your motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms have progressed
• Lab results confirming 40 or more CAG repeats in the gene that causes Huntington’s disease
• A documented family history of Huntington’s disease
• Neurological exam results that match the typical signs of the condition
• Brain imaging that supports the diagnosis
• Psychological or psychiatric evaluations, including neurocognitive testing

Submitting thorough medical evidence to support your diagnosis and keeping a personal log detailing how your symptoms impact your daily life and ability to work can also help support your claim. These details add valuable context and make your claim more compelling.

How long does it take to get a disability decision?

When considering how long a disability claim can take, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. 

The time it takes to get a disability decision depends on several factors, like whether the SSA needs more information to process your claim. On average, the wait for an initial SSDI decision is about 6.3 months, or roughly 193 days.

According to the SSA’s 2023 Annual Report, about 20% of applications were approved at this stage, meaning nearly three out of four claims were denied.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re denied. You can appeal, but be aware that the appeals process can add another six months or more to your wait.

How do I appeal a decision if I was denied?

If your SSDI application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. According to the SSA, approximately 80% of SSDI claims are rejected at the initial level, often due to insufficient medical evidence, limited work history, or other technical issues. Because the appeals process can take time, it’s important to act quickly – you only have 60 days to file your appeal. 

While appealing a denial is always worthwhile, it doesn’t guarantee approval, as many applicants are denied even after multiple appeals. However, working with an experienced disability lawyer can help strengthen your case and improve your chances of success.

How Woods & Woods can help

Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.

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