Getting and keeping SSDI if you have myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a long-term health condition that makes muscles weak and tired easily. People with this illness often find it hard to get Social Security Disability Insurance and to keep these benefits once they have them.

The process requires strict checks and ongoing proof of disability, which can be overwhelming and stressful.

Knowing the rules for SSDI

To qualify for SSDI, someone with myasthenia gravis needs to meet specific medical standards that the Social Security Administration sets. The SSA uses a medical guide called the Blue Book, which shows the symptoms and test results needed to qualify for disability benefits. For myasthenia gravis, these standards include having episodes of muscle weakness, positive tests that confirm the diagnosis, and detailed reports on how the illness limits daily activities.

However, proving how severe myasthenia gravis is can be tough. The symptoms can change a lot, getting worse during times of stress or sickness and better at other times. This variability can make it hard to show how the disease affects someone’s ability to function.

Maintaining detailed medical records

Having detailed and up-to-date medical records is key when applying for SSDI. Applicants must provide full records that show their diagnosis, treatment and how they respond to medication. They also need to document how their symptoms affect physical tasks like walking, standing or lifting, as well as any impact on speaking, seeing or breathing.

If there is not enough medical evidence, the SSA might deny the application. This would require an appeal, including a reconsideration of the case and possibly a hearing in front of a judge, which can delay getting benefits.

Keeping SSDI benefits

After getting SSDI benefits, people must keep showing they are disabled, especially during the SSA’s regular checks. How often these reviews happen depends on how the medical condition might change over time. People with myasthenia gravis must keep sending updated medical records to show that their condition has not improved enough for them to work again.

During these reviews, any sign of better symptoms or more physical ability can trigger a reevaluation of benefits. It is important for people to keep going to their doctor regularly and to make sure all new medical information correctly shows their current health.

Applying for and managing SSDI benefits with myasthenia gravis can be difficult, but following these steps meticulously can help people with myasthenia gravis handle their SSDI benefits effectively.