If you have severe CFS/ME and you are too sick to continue working, applying for disability may be one of the smartest, bravest, and best things you can do to help yourself. It can bring stability, security, medical care and peace of mind into your future.
It can also be a great help to your loved ones who may be worried about you or may be trying to care for you without support.
Getting Started
First steps, how to apply, and how to answer questions. Many of us with CFS/ME decide to "wait and see what happens" instead of applying for when we first need help.
Disability can be a long and winding road. If you start taking steps now, someday you may be very glad you did. The link above includes an overview of how to get started plus tips for answering questions. Learn more about How to Get Started
Finding a Doc
It is very important that your doctor is an MD or another kind of "acceptable medical source." Some CFS/ME specialists are Naturopaths or other types of practitioners. If you have mental health issues, it can be a great help to start seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist - not counselor or therapist.
It's also incredibly helpful to talk to your doctor and ask for their support. The link above has more details on how to ask your doctor for support. Please see the right kind of doctor now to avoid heartbreak later. Learn more about
How to Get Yourself the Right Doctor
Working with Your Doc
If you are not able to afford or reach a CFS/ME specialist, you can still get approved. If you are able to afford and reach a CFS/ME specialist, you can still get denied.
A specialist is great, but having a doctor who supports your application and is willing to work with you is the most important thing. Learn more about How to Work with Your Doctor
Other Conditions
Many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, do not get approved for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They get approved for depression, or for another condition, or for a combination of impairments.
It is recommended to include and document all conditions that affect your ability to function in any way. Common other conditions: Fibromyalgia, Neurological Disorders, Cardiovascular / Heart problems, Arthritis, POTS, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Mental Disorders.
Social Security Ruling
Social Security has a special ruling just for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! You can use it. It can help.
There are four key components in the ruling: Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis, Medical Evidence and Functioning. Don't skip that last one. People love to skip the last one. Learn more about the Social Security Ruling for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
"I Want to Read Less"
If all of the above is too much reading for you, here's a
Cheat Sheet with just the most important parts.
"I Want to Read More"
OK. You asked for it:
It can also be a great help to your loved ones who may be worried about you or may be trying to care for you without support.
Reading more and learning more and taking more steps is the best possible thing you could be doing right now. In my experience, and my observation, the people who learn and question and wonder and persist are the people who win their claims.
Getting Started
First steps, how to apply, and how to answer questions. Many of us with CFS/ME decide to "wait and see what happens" instead of applying for when we first need help.
Disability can be a long and winding road. If you start taking steps now, someday you may be very glad you did. The link above includes an overview of how to get started plus tips for answering questions. Learn more about How to Get Started
Finding a Doc
It is very important that your doctor is an MD or another kind of "acceptable medical source." Some CFS/ME specialists are Naturopaths or other types of practitioners. If you have mental health issues, it can be a great help to start seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist - not counselor or therapist.
It's also incredibly helpful to talk to your doctor and ask for their support. The link above has more details on how to ask your doctor for support. Please see the right kind of doctor now to avoid heartbreak later. Learn more about
How to Get Yourself the Right Doctor
Working with Your Doc
If you are not able to afford or reach a CFS/ME specialist, you can still get approved. If you are able to afford and reach a CFS/ME specialist, you can still get denied.
A specialist is great, but having a doctor who supports your application and is willing to work with you is the most important thing. Learn more about How to Work with Your Doctor
Other Conditions
Many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, do not get approved for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They get approved for depression, or for another condition, or for a combination of impairments.
It is recommended to include and document all conditions that affect your ability to function in any way. Common other conditions: Fibromyalgia, Neurological Disorders, Cardiovascular / Heart problems, Arthritis, POTS, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Mental Disorders.
Social Security Ruling
Social Security has a special ruling just for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! You can use it. It can help.
There are four key components in the ruling: Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis, Medical Evidence and Functioning. Don't skip that last one. People love to skip the last one. Learn more about the Social Security Ruling for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
"I Want to Read Less"
If all of the above is too much reading for you, here's a
Cheat Sheet with just the most important parts.
"I Want to Read More"
OK. You asked for it:
![ME/CFS lecture | Dr Nancy Klimas | 2011 [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / SEID / New Zealand] - YouTube](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
