A Guide to Disability Benefits and Multiple Sclerosis

Disability benefits can give you some much-needed peace of mind when you’re living with MS.

Because multiple sclerosis symptoms can flare up suddenly, it can make keeping up with a full-time job more challenging.

Symptoms like impaired vision, fatigue, pain, balance problems, and muscle control difficulty could require extended periods away from work or hinder your ability to look for employment.

But disability insurance can replace some of your income.

According to a 2022 research review, nearly 30% of working-age people with MS in the United States rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

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How MS qualifies for disability benefits

SSDI is a federal disability insurance benefit for people who have worked and paid into Social Security.

Keep in mind that SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That program is for low income people who haven’t paid enough into Social Security during their working years to qualify for SSDI. So, if that describes you, consider looking into SSI as a starting point.

In either case, benefits are limited to those who are unable to “perform substantial gainful activity,” according to Liz Supinski, director of data science at the Society for Human Resource Management.

She said there are limits on how much a person can earn and still collect, and in 2025, it will be about $1,620 for most people or around $2,700 per month for those who are blind.

“That means most people who are able to qualify for disability benefits are not working for others,” said Supinski. “Self-employment is common among both disabled workers and those with disabilities severe enough to qualify for benefits.”

Another consideration is that even though you might have private disability insurance, which is usually obtainable as part of workplace benefits, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply for SSDI, Supinski said.

She noted that private insurance is typically a short-term benefit and usually offers smaller amounts to replace income. Most people use that type of insurance when they apply for SSDI and wait for their claims to be approved.

Three distinct sections of the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s medical criteria cover the common MS symptoms that can interfere with your ability to work, including:

• Neurological: This section includes symptoms related to muscle control, mobility, balance, and coordination.
• Special senses and speech: This section involves vision and speaking symptoms.
• Mental disorders: The symptoms mentioned in this section can affect your mood and thinking processes, such as difficulty with depression, memory, attention, problem-solving, and information processing.

Getting your paperwork in place

It’s helpful to compile your medical paperwork, including the date of original diagnosis, descriptions of impairments, work history, and treatments related to your MS, to streamline the process, said Sophie Summers, a human resources manager at software firm RapidAPI.

“Having your information in one place will help you prepare your application and can also highlight what type of info you still need to get from your healthcare provider,” she said.

Summers added that it’s a good idea to also let your doctors, colleagues, and family know you’ll be going through the application process.

The SSA gathers input from healthcare professionals and the applicant and may ask for additional information from family members and co-workers to determine whether you qualify as someone with a disability based on SSA criteria.

The takeaway

Claiming disability benefits can be a complex and lengthy process, but taking the time to understand the SSA’s criteria can help you get closer to getting a claim approved.

Consider contacting representatives at your local SSA field office. They can help you apply for SSDI and SSI benefits. You can make an appointment by calling 800-772-1213 or completing an application on the SSA website.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s guide to Social Security benefits, which you can download for free on their website, is also useful.