Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of the nerves. It is an unpredictable, often disabling condition of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and causes a variety of symptoms that can vary significantly from one patient to another.
If you suffer from MS and it has left you unable to work and earn a living, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
How Your Loved One Can Medically Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits
The SSA uses Disability Determination Services (DDS) to review disability claims and to determine if an individual qualifies medically for disability benefits. The symptoms that MS can cause include fatigue, dizziness, chronic pain, tremors, and cognitive difficulties. Neurological tests and a physical examination along with a detailed review of your medical history can help confirm the diagnosis. Detailed medical records are a necessity to be approved for disability benefits.
To be approved for disability benefits with MS, you will need to provide medical records that confirm the diagnosis as well as the severity of the condition. These documents should include an MRI that shows proof of demyelination and a spinal tap that shows increased myelin basic proteins. Medical record should show proof of slowed, halted, or garbled nerve impulses from Evoked Potential Tests, such as SSEPs, BAEPs, and VEPs.
There are several impairments that may qualify for disability benefits. These impairments may include visual impairment, mental impairment involving psychological and behavioral abnormalities, persistent motor function disorganization in the form of paresis or paralysis, or significant motor function fatigue with considerable muscle weakness specifically when performing repetitive activities. With hard medical evidence and supporting documentation, you can get your disability claim for MS approved.
Becoming A Designated Payee
As the caregiver of someone with MS, you may serve as the designated payee of their disability benefits from the SSA. The SSA only sends electronic payments, so you will need to have access to the claimant’s bank account to manage the funds. You should maintain thorough records and receipts, so if there is an inquiry from the SSA you can show that the funds were used for the claimant to cover living expenses and medical costs.
How To Get Your Loved One’s Disability Application Underway
If you serve as the caregiver of a loved one who has MS and is disabled, you will want to gather all the necessary supporting documentation to get their disability claim on the right track. The first step will be to create a detailed list of all their medical providers with contact details.
The application can be started online at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 and speaking with a representative or scheduling an appointment at your local SSA field office. Remember that documentation is essential to the success of a disability claim, so be sure to get everything in order and make sure it is available for review.
