Are disability benefits available for chronic fatigue syndrome?

f you have chronic fatigue syndrome, you know just how debilitating the condition can be. In addition to feeling a general sense of tiredness, you also may have chronic pain. Furthermore, your CFS may present as cold- or flulike symptoms that appear regularly.

Some employers understand the work impairments that often accompany CFS. If you are lucky enough to work for one of these employers, you may benefit from reasonable accommodations and flexibility. Still, your CFS may make it virtually impossible to go to work every day.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

According to the Mayo Clinic, CFS is a hard-to-identify medical disorder. Those who suffer from the disorder experience extreme fatigue that lasts for six months or longer. This fatigue worsens with mental or physical exercise, but sleep and rest do not improve it.

For you to have a proper diagnosis, doctors must be unable to assign your chronic fatigue to some other medical condition, illness or injury.

Can You Apply For Disability Benefits?

It is possible to secure Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for your CFS, provided you have a sufficient number of work credits. Moreover, you must prove your condition has lasted more than a year and that it interferes with your ability to work.

To increase your chances of receiving SSDI benefits, it is imperative to document your condition extensively. Your documentation may include a diagnosis, the results of medical examinations, a work assessment and other relevant evidence.

Ultimately, even though it may be a pain to gather documentation when you are experiencing chronic fatigue and other symptoms, you should not give up hope of receiving the benefits you deserve.