Anybody who has ever had one already knows that a migraine is nothing like a typical headache. A full-blown migraine can leave the victim in terrible pain and unable to tolerate light, smells and sound for days – and that’s just for starters. Victims can also suffer all kinds of additional problems, from visual hallucinations and brain fog to nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
Are migraines enough to qualify you for Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits? It depends. Here’s what you need to know.
Migraines are no longer discounted as a serious medical condition
Once upon a time, it was hard to get anybody to take migraines seriously. Even doctors didn’t really understand much about them. New studies and new technology, however, has been able to show that migraines are a genuine disorder that can sometimes even be seen on MRI tests.
In reality, migraines are the second most common cause of disability in the world, and the four million or so people in this country that have chronic migraines (defined as 15 or more a month) may very well qualify for SSDI. To qualify, the migraines must be severe enough to prevent you from doing your job – or any other kind of gainful employment – and your problems must have persisted for at least a year or be expected to do so.
In other words, the longer you have been seeking treatment for your migraines and the better you have your condition documented, the better. You will be unlikely to win approval for SSDI benefits, for example, if you just recently developed migraines – but if you’ve been seeking treatment for some time and have steadily been getting worse, it may be time to apply.
Even though migraines are now given due regard as an actual, debilitating condition, it’s still not easy to obtain SSDI benefits for many invisible disorders. Experienced legal guidance can help.