Rose worried about her mother’s medical condition and her finances. Because of Huntington’s disease, Mom was unable to work to support herself. Bills were piling up. Rosa and her Mom needed help, and it may come in the form of government disability benefits like SSDI and SSI. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is paid to disabled workers. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is paid to people based on financial need. The key to both benefits is the existence of a disability. So, will Huntington’s Disease qualify for SSDI and SSI?
Huntington’s Disease – Diagnosis and Prognosis
The Social Security Administration (SSA) may consider you disabled and eligible for disability benefits if:
- You are unable to perform any work you previously had done because of your medical condition;
- You cannot transition to a new job because of your condition; and
- Your disability lasted for one year, is expected to last for one year, or is expected to cause your death.
A fatal genetic disorder, Huntington’s disease causes a deterioration in physical and mental abilities. It tends to strike people between the ages of 30 and 50, usually considered prime working years. The disease gets worse over the next 10 to 25 years. There is no cure for Huntington’s disease.
But Does Huntington’s Disease Qualify as a Disability?
Huntington’s Disease should qualify as a disability.
The symptoms of Huntington’s Disease include:
- Personality changes, mood swings, and depression;
- Forgetfulness and impaired judgment;
- Unsteady gait and involuntary movements; and
- Slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, and significant weight loss.
These symptoms could make it difficult for someone to continue working. In addition, Huntington’s Disease is incurable.
Huntington’s Disease appears on the SSA’s List of Impairments under Section 11.17, Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system. In order to prove disability, an applicant with Huntington’s Disease must have:
“A. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities resulting in extreme limitation …
OR
- Marked limitation in physical function …”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, talk to a disability attorney immediately.
Someone with Huntington’s Disease May Qualify for Disability Benefits
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ legal experience, much of it involving Social Security Disability Insurance claims. They can help you with your application and any appeals that might be needed.
Call us at 714-385-8100 for a free consultation. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
