Living with multiple sclerosis can be exhausting, unpredictable, and at times, overwhelming. You may wake up one day feeling fine and find yourself struggling to walk, think clearly, or hold a pen the next. When MS symptoms start interfering with your ability to work or manage daily tasks, you may begin to wonder: Is MS a disability?
In this article, we’ll break down how the SSA evaluates MS and what symptoms and evidence they look for when considering if you qualify.
Claim what you worked for.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple sclerosis can qualify as a disability under SSA rules, but approval requires showing that symptoms are severe, long-lasting, and prevent gainful work.
- Strong, detailed medical evidence is essential, including records, imaging, treatment history, and documentation of how MS affects daily life, to support your SSDI claim.
- The SSDI process can take months and may require appeals, so acting quickly, staying organized, and seeking legal guidance can improve your chances of success.
In this article about if MS is a disability:
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that damages the protective covering of nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
MS is unpredictable, and symptoms vary from person to person, depending on which nerves are affected and how severe the damage is. Common symptoms may include:
- Numbness or tingling
- Electric shock sensations
- Poor coordination
- Difficulty walking or loss of mobility
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Bladder or bowel function problems
- Fatigue
- Trouble with memory, thinking, and understanding
Is MS a disability?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes multiple sclerosis as a serious medical condition that can qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Additionally, MS is typically covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, neither of these facts guarantees you will receive disability benefits for the condition.
Therefore, if you’ve been diagnosed with MS, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, the SSA considers specific criteria when evaluating multiple sclerosis SSDI claims, which can make approval challenging for many applicants.
To be eligible for SSDI for MS, your symptoms must make it impossible to continue working gainfully and interfere with your ability to support yourself.
Your condition must also meet other medical requirements listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. We explain these requirements in more detail below.
How to qualify for SSDI with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is classified as a neurological disorder in the SSA’s list of qualifying impairments, also called the Blue Book, and is listed under Section 11.09.
The SSA applies strict standards to all health conditions, including multiple sclerosis.
To qualify for disability benefits, you must show your condition is severe, long-lasting, and prevents you from doing any substantially gainful work. Additionally, you must meet either all of the criteria in Section 11.09A, or in Section 11.09B
To qualify for disability for MS under 11.09A, you must have an extreme limitation with muscle control in both arms or both legs, meaning both lower extremities, or both upper extremities, or one upper extremity and one lower extremity, that makes it extremely difficult to do at least one of the following:
- Stand up from a seated position
- Balance while standing or walking
- Use your arms or hands effectively
If you do not qualify under 11.09A, you could still be eligible for disability for MS under section 11.09B.
To qualify under 11.09B, you must have a marked limitation in physical functioning, along with major difficulty in one of the following areas:
- Understanding, remembering, or using information
- Interacting with others
- Staying focused, finishing tasks, or keeping a steady pace
- Adapting to changes or taking care of yourself
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 multiple sclerosis 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 history reports
- Clinical findings (such as the results of physical or mental status exams)
- Lab results or test results
- Imaging (such as CT scans, x-rays, and MRIs)
- Emergency room visit summaries
- Diagnosis
- Treatment prescribed based on response and prognosis
- A statement from a medical professional on what work activities they believe you are capable of doing despite your condition
- Any treatment information
- Info about your daily activities and capabilities
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 2024 Annual Report, about 18% of applications were approved at this stage, meaning nearly four out of five 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.
Get the benefits you earned.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, multiple sclerosis is recognized as a disability by Social Security. Because MS can cause significant physical and cognitive impairments that interfere with daily life and the ability to work, it qualifies for SSDI benefits if it meets certain medical criteria.
To qualify, you need medical evidence showing that MS causes serious muscle control problems in your arms or legs, or major difficulties with thinking, interacting, or managing daily tasks. Your symptoms must meet the SSA’s specific criteria to be approved for benefits.
Lori Underwood
Lori Underwood received her law degree from Northern Kentucky University. She previously practiced Social Security disability and personal injury law and was a juvenile court attorney.
She has been an attorney at
Woods & Woods since 2014.
