Can MS leave you disabled?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes MS as a chronic illness or “impairment” that can cause disability severe enough to prevent an individual from working.


Does multiple sclerosis disable you?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS , the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.

Do people with MS have to go on disability?

MS is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Someone with MS can qualify for disability benefits if it is severe enough to prevent them from being able to work full time. For the SSA to consider MS a disability, you will need to meet the SSA's Blue Book listing 11.09.


Do most people with MS go on disability?

Disability insurance replaces some of your income if you can no longer work and earn an income due to a disability. Approximately 40% of all people with multiple sclerosis in the United States rely on some form of disability insurance for their income.

How long does it take to become disabled with MS?

Determining disability among people with MS

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have a medical impairment that has (or is expected) to last at least 12 months.


Dr. Sarah Morrow talks about cognitive impairment in MS patients



How much disability does someone with MS get?

The average disability benefit in 2022 is $1,358. The maximum amount is $3,345. Anybody who was assessed as being eligible for SSI in 2022 will receive $841 for one month. How much you receive depends on any other income you receive and the assets you own.

What is the most approved disability?

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

How does MS limit your ability to work?

Put simply, Multiple Sclerosis interferes with the brain's ability to communicate with the rest of the body through the spinal chord, and with the rest of the body's ability to communicate with the brain. This causes a shorter life expectancy and a host of physical and mental symptoms for sufferers.


How long can you work with MS?

You can work with MS. Many people who have it stay in their job for years after they're diagnosed. It varies greatly from person to person. In time, you may need to ask for accommodations so you can continue there.

Can you drive if you have MS?

One of the first questions many people have when they're diagnosed with MS is: “Will I still be able to drive?” The good news is that most people with MS continue to drive as normal.

What benefits can you claim with MS?

Which benefits am I entitled to?
  • Disability benefits. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to support the extra costs of living with a disability. ...
  • Unable to work. Statutory Sick Pay. ...
  • Able to work. Universal Credit. ...
  • Home and bills. Housing Benefit.


Will MS affect my car insurance?

Car insurance

However, be aware that if you choose not to disclose that you have MS, some insurers may decide not to provide you with a quote as it's more difficult for them to estimate the level of risk you pose if they aren't aware of what your medical condition is.

Do all MS patients end up in a wheelchair?

MS is different for everybody and not every person diagnosed with MS will end up in a wheelchair. 80% of people with MS don't consider themselves as having severe symptoms or disabilities.

What is the average age of death for someone with MS?

The study found that people with MS lived to be 75.9 years old, on average, compared to 83.4 years old for those without. That 7.5-year difference is similar to what other researchers have found recently.


Is MS considered a permanent disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes MS as a chronic illness or “impairment” that can cause disability severe enough to prevent an individual from working.

Do I have to tell my employer I have MS?

You are not required to say that you have MS. However, if the information you provide is not sufficient to determine that you have a qualified disability under the ADA, your employer has the right to ask for more detailed information — which may lead to disclosure of your diagnosis.

What kind of jobs do people with MS have?

Work from home jobs

Remote work is becoming more common. Remote jobs include copywriting, graphic design, transcribing, online tutoring, product reviewing and customer support. Working from home may help you manage fatigue and avoid challenges with commuting to work.


Is MS classed as brain damage?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes damage to your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It's characterized by lesions, or areas of tissue damage that occur when your immune system behaves abnormally and attacks these areas.

What is considered highly active MS?

What is “highly active MS”? The term highly active MS has not been precisely defined but the most important features include frequent relapses with incomplete recovery, and/or high radiological burden of disease, rapid accrual of disability after disease onset, with otherwise typical features of MS.

Does MS affect mental ability?

A change in cognitive function or cognitive dysfunction is common in MS — more than half of all people with MS will develop problems with cognition.


What is the easiest disability to get?

The Top 5 Easiest Things to Claim for VA Disability
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and somatic disorder are considered high-value claims. ...
  • Scars. ...
  • Musculoskeletal Conditions. ...
  • Presumptive Disorders. ...
  • Tinnitus.


What states are hardest to get disability?

Top 5 Best States to Apply for Disability Benefits in 2022
  • #5 Tennessee: 54% Approval Rating. ...
  • #4 New Jersey: 56% Approval Rating. ...
  • #3 New Mexico: 56% Approval Rating. ...
  • #2 Utah: 63% Approval Rating. ...
  • #1 Hawaii: 67% Approval Rating. ...
  • Hardest State To Get Disability. ...
  • 2 Minutes To See If You Qualify. ...
  • Additional Resources.


At what age is it easier to get disability?

Winning a disability claim generally gets easier for people as they become older. This is particularly true for people over the age of 60. However, some older folks choose to apply for early retirement at age 62 or 63 rather than applying for disability.


How serious is multiple sclerosis?

MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average, and this gap appears to be getting smaller all the time.

How much is SSI in MS?

The monthly maximum Federal amounts for 2023 are $914 for an eligible individual, $1,371 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $458 for an essential person.