Find how to qualify for Social Security benefits with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
How to Qualify for Disability Benefits with ALS? And how a social security disability lawyer can help.
Step 1: Meet the SSA’s Financial Requirements You need to have worked enough recently and earned a certain amount of income to qualify.
Step 2: Meet the Medical Requirements The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes ALS as a disability in its Blue Book under Sections 11.00 and 11.10. To qualify for automatic benefits, you need to provide these medical documents:
- A formal diagnosis of ALS from a neurologist (not your regular doctor)
- Results from neurological exams that show signs of ALS, like tests for reflexes and movement
- Electromyography (EMG), a test that checks muscle electrical activity
- Nerve conduction studies, which check how well your nerves can send electrical signals
How Many People Have ALS? The CDC estimates around 30,000 people in the U.S. live with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This number is expected to grow as the population ages. ALS happens in about 4 to 6 out of every 100,000 people each year.
Article Breakdown
Who Gets ALS?
ALS mostly affects people between the ages of 40 and 70, but it can also affect people in their 20s and 30s. Men are about 20% more likely to get ALS than women, though this difference is less noticeable in older people.
While ALS is more common among white and non-Hispanic people, it can affect anyone from any racial or ethnic background. Studies show that military veterans may be 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop ALS, possibly because of exposure to harmful substances, though the exact cause is still unclear.
Most people with ALS don’t have a family history of the disease, but family members of those with ALS may have a slightly higher chance of getting it.
What are the Challenges of Living with ALS?
The difficulties people with ALS face depend on how the disease progresses and which part of the body is affected first. Common challenges include:
- Weakness in arms and legs: This makes it hard to walk, stand, or move around. You may also struggle with tasks that need hand and finger movement, like reaching or gripping things.
- Trouble speaking: ALS can make it hard to talk clearly, and it can also affect your ability to understand or express complex thoughts.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): Swallowing food and liquids can become harder, and there’s a risk of food going down the wrong way, which might require a feeding tube.
- Breathing problems: Weakness in the muscles that help you breathe can lead to breathing difficulties, and advanced cases might need ventilators to help with breathing.
These challenges can make everyday tasks like eating, dressing, walking, and talking much harder. Losing independence can also lead to anxiety, depression, and feeling isolated.
How Can I Qualify for Disability Benefits with ALS?
ALS can progress quickly and can be very costly both financially and medically, making Social Security disability benefits very important for those affected.
ALS typically affects people between the ages of 40 and 60, often when they are the main breadwinner for their family.
Around 1,000 people with ALS apply for Social Security Disability benefits each year. The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists ALS as a disability in their Blue Book under Sections 11.00 and 11.10.
What Medical Proof Do I Need to Qualify for Benefits?
To qualify for automatic benefits, you need to provide the following medical evidence. Take help from a disability lawyer to get better insights.
- A formal diagnosis of ALS from a neurologist (not just your regular doctor).
- Results from neurological exams that show signs of ALS, like tests of reflexes and motor skills.
- Electromyography (EMG) – a test that checks the electrical activity in your muscles.
- Nerve conduction studies – tests that check how well your nerves send electrical signals.
