There are three main considerations when people apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The first is their work history. People generally have to have enough credits on their record with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be eligible for benefits.
They also need to have a medical condition that completely prevents them from maintaining gainful employment. Finally, the condition must last for a year or longer. Anyone who has cluster headaches, migraines or other severe headaches that occur regularly may struggle to maintain a job.
Could they qualify for SSDI because of their headaches?
Headache disorders can be qualifying conditions
People who have never experienced protracted or severe headaches may not understand how debilitating they can be. Some people go so far as to refer to a bad headache as a migraine, when a migraine actually has unique factors that separate it from a traditional headache.
Whether an individual has chronic headaches or a migraine disorder, they may have days where they cannot get out of bed to work or take care of themselves. The more frequently they experience headaches or migraines and the harder they are to treat, the greater the likelihood that they cannot maintain a job because of their condition.
Applicants seeking SSDI benefits for headache-related conditions generally need diagnostic records showing that they have frequent and severe headaches. They may also need medical records affirming the impact of their headache disorder.
Medical documentation is critical for those seeking benefits with particularly severe but common medical conditions. While many people do experience headaches, not everyone has a headache disorder that interrupts their daily life and prevents them from earning an income.
Migraines and other headache-related medical issues can be truly debilitating conditions in some cases. Reviewing medical records with a skilled legal team can be an important step for those hoping to apply for SSDI benefits as a result.
