It’s needless to say that like any other disease that lasts long term, multiple sclerosis is a costly illness to have.  Of course, this depends on the patient’s symptoms and current treatment scheme, but, as it is well known, the disease progresses over time, so the need for more and expensive medication is present.

The good news, is that MS patients can get help, by applying for social security disability or SSI disability benefits on the basis of MS. These applications are approved either by means of medical vocational allowance, or by meeting or equaling the requirements of the MS listing in the social security blue book (administration’s impairment listing manual).

In order to get approved via a medical vocational allowance, the MS patient’s medical records need to proof that his or her condition is severe and projected to last or lasted no less than 1 year ( 12 months). At the same time, their condition must prevent them from working a day job they done in the past, and must prevent them from engaging in other suitable forms of work. 

To get approval by meeting or equaling the requirements of the blue book, the patient needs to:
-    Have motor function impairment
-    Visual impairment ( loss of vision or disability)
-    Mental impairment

Let’s take a closer look at each category. For the first category, the MS patient needs to be diagnosed with MS and significant and persistent motor function disorganization in two extremities or significant motor function fatigue with substantial muscle weakness (these need to be able to be demonstrated upon physical examination and need to be a result of MS).

To fall in the visual impairment category, the MS patient needs to demonstrate via their medical records that they are diagnosed with MS and that the loss of visual acuity, peripheral vision or visual efficiency is caused by MS.
As a conclusion, a  SSI disability or social security disability claimant can be approved on the basis of the MS listing if they have been diagnosed with MS and they meet or equal the above criteria. \

According to social security administration, mental disorders are psychological or behavioral abnormalities associated with brain dysfunction.  In order to quality for this the MS patient needs to present medical history or the findings of physical examination and results of lab tests.  Also, the presence of mental disability must be demonstrated.

As it can be seen, to benefit from help from the government, one must meet very strict criteria. Of course, this is good and bad at the same time. Good because it doesn’t allow anybody to cheat the system, and bad because it puts more stress on MS patients with all the demands.  However, it is needless to say that this help is welcomed, especially in later stages of the disease, and it’s only natural to ask for your rights.