Sometimes your headaches may be so debilitating that you cannot work. In this situation, you may qualify for Social Security Disability.
People may be able to receive disability benefits for their headaches if they are over the age of 18. According to the Social Security Administration, you have to experience headaches for at least one year or more before you can qualify for benefits.
Types of headaches
Sometimes your headaches may be so debilitating that you cannot work. In this situation, you may qualify for Social Security Disability.
People may be able to receive disability benefits for their headaches if they are over the age of 18. According to the Social Security Administration, you have to experience headaches for at least one year or more before you can qualify for benefits.
Types of headaches
Tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches may all be qualifying conditions. The SSA considers the symptoms you experience, such as visual, speech or sensory distortions, as well as the length of your headaches.
The SSA also recognizes two subgroups, primary and secondary headaches. You may have secondary headaches if another medical condition caused your headaches. Conversely, primary headaches are usually not connected to other conditions. This distinction is important because secondary headaches may not always qualify as disabilities. This is because headaches caused by other conditions may improve as you get treatment for the primary condition.
Proof of disability
You usually need a doctor’s diagnosis to receive disability benefits. You may need to keep a journal to show how often you have headaches and what other symptoms you experience. This documentation can help demonstrate the way headaches affect your daily life. Additionally, you may need your physician to conduct tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, to prove you have headaches and not an underlying condition.
The SSA uses all this information to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. Additionally, the SSA considers how your headaches react to treatment and the types of treatment available to you.
Tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches may all be qualifying conditions. The SSA considers the symptoms you experience, such as visual, speech or sensory distortions, as well as the length of your headaches.
The SSA also recognizes two subgroups, primary and secondary headaches. You may have secondary headaches if another medical condition caused your headaches. Conversely, primary headaches are usually not connected to other conditions. This distinction is important because secondary headaches may not always qualify as disabilities. This is because headaches caused by other conditions may improve as you get treatment for the primary condition.
Proof of disability
You usually need a doctor’s diagnosis to receive disability benefits. You may need to keep a journal to show how often you have headaches and what other symptoms you experience. This documentation can help demonstrate the way headaches affect your daily life. Additionally, you may need your physician to conduct tests, such as an MRI or a CT scan, to prove you have headaches and not an underlying condition.
The SSA uses all this information to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. Additionally, the SSA considers how your headaches react to treatment and the types of treatment available to you.
