Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. “Cerebral” means having to do with the brain. “Palsy” means weakness in or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control their muscles. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood.
The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 11.07 of the Blue Book.
Does Cerebral Palsy Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with cerebral palsy do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Listing 11.07 of the Blue Book enumerates three criteria that an adult may meet. First, they must suffer from one of the following:
- Interference in their ability to control movement in two extremities (two arms, two legs, or an arm and a leg) leading to severe difficulty in standing from a seated position or balancing while walking or standing.
- Significant interference in communication as a result of vision, hearing, or speech problems.
- “Marked” physical limitations in addition to at least one marked mental limitation in one of the following areas:
- Learning, recalling, or using information
- Interacting with others
- Focusing attention on a task and sustaining a certain pace while performing it
Within each of these three areas is a host of examples of activities that can be affected by cerebral palsy.
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 cerebral palsy and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
