How to Qualify for Social Security With a Narcolepsy Disability

Narcolepsy, characterized as a sleep disorder, is a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. Because a person with narcolepsy can fall asleep at any time, he or she can experience serious problems at work. For some individuals the condition becomes so severe that they are unable to function in a work environment and therefore must apply for Social Security disability benefits. If you find it necessary to go this route, make certain that the attorney you choose understands something about your medical condition. There are certain things you can do to improve the chances that your disability claim will be decided quickly and in your favor.

Instructions

1. Hire a lawyer experienced in these kinds of disability cases to help you file your claim. The laws relating to disabilities are complicated. If you suffer a condition like narcolepsy for which there may not be effective treatments, you have much to lose if a claims examiner denies your claim. An attorney experienced in disability cases related to narcolepsy should be able to present your case in such a way as to inform the judge about the ways in which the condition can cause an individual to perform poorly at work. These may include difficulty focusing attention and problems with vision and short-term memory, in addition to impaired judgment and reaction time. While each of these factors could possibly lead to the injury or death of the person with narcolepsy, each also has the potential to cause harm to other people.

2. Collect a detailed medical history relating to your condition. Request a copy of your medical records in advance. Provide the names, current addresses and telephone numbers of any doctors or medical facilities where you have sought treatment for your narcolepsy. It is critical to show medical evidence that you have continued to seek medical treatment to help alleviate your narcolepsy symptoms but without success.

3. Ask for documentation from both your primary care physician and neurologist indicating how narcolepsy limits you from doing your job. The more information that health care providers put in writing, the better. Having the support of your doctors can improve your chances of getting disability benefits. Tell your doctors about any symptoms of the condition at each visit. Explain to your doctors exactly how the disorder affects your activities of daily living. This gets dated information about your symptoms and any failed treatments into your permanent medical record.

4. Get written statements from former work supervisors or co-workers signed in the presence of a notary public. In addition to personnel records showing time lost from work because of your condition, written requests that you might have given to a supervisor asking for a modified work schedule could be important pieces of evidence. Also, keep any support documentation from a supervisor granting such requests, as well as copies of other written correspondence keeping your employer up-to-date on your disability status if you take time off from work. Include contact information for employers who are familiar with how the condition has caused problems for you in performing your job duties, particularly if your job requires that you work with the public or operate hazardous equipment or other machinery.

5. Have a close friend, partner, spouse or parent testify about how narcolepsy leaves you unable to function as you should in your daily life, both at work and at home. Since narcolepsy cannot be cured and does not go away on its own, individuals can experience symptoms throughout their entire lifetime.

Resources

• American Sleep Association