Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals. Symptoms often begin after an event, such as infection, physical trauma, surgery or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time.
Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures may also help make symptoms more manageable. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 1.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Fibromyalgia Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with fibromyalgia do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
- You’ve done a trigger point test and had a high score. The SSA will look for medical test results that confirm you have fibromyalgia. One common test is the trigger point test. A high score (14 or higher) is more likely to help qualify you for benefits.
- Your flare-ups are consistent. Fibromyalgia symptoms are often cyclical, meaning they get better and then worse again. The SSA will try to understand whether you consistently experience severe flare-ups and how those interfere with your ability to work. It’s helpful to give evidence of how your fibromyalgia interferes with basic tasks of living like walking, sitting, standing for long periods, cooking for yourself, and getting dressed on your own.
- You have chronic fatigue. Alongside widespread pain, a common symptom of fibromyalgia is fatigue. You’ll need to demonstrate chronic fatigue despite sleeping for long periods of time (18+ hours).
- You have another condition that appears in the Blue Book. The SSA does not list fibromyalgia as an official condition in the Blue Book. However, fibromyalgia commonly coincides with other conditions that are also considered qualifying conditions, such as depression, IBD, or POTS. Even if the SSA doesn’t consider your fibromyalgia severe enough on its own, you can qualify with these secondary conditions.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
