Claiming Disability for Migraines: What You Need to Know

Migraines are a pretty common affliction. Most of us have suffered from it at some point in our lives. But is migraine a disability?

It depends. If it severely affects your quality of life or ability to work, then it could be considered a disability. Note, however, that claiming disability on migraine alone will not be easy due to the nature of its symptoms.

So if you’re looking to claim disability for migraines or wondering if your symptoms constitute a disability, here’s a quick guide for you.

Migraines vs. Headache

Before delving further, it’s important to note that migraines are different from regular headaches.

Migraine is a neurological disease involving nerves and brain chemicals. Because of this, people suffering from migraine experience severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation. The pain can last from a few hours to a few days. It can also come with other symptoms like:

• nausea
• vomiting
• extreme sensitivity to light

In some cases, these symptoms can become so severe that it leads to temporary blindness.

Headaches, on the other hand, are symptoms rather than an actual disorder. It can be caused by a range of factors – from hunger to insomnia. The pain usually only lasts a few hours and is generally less intense and less debilitating than migraines.

Can You Claim Disability for Migraines?

Yes, you can definitely claim disability benefits for migraines BUT only if you meet the SSA’s definition of disability.

According to the SSA, a medical condition can only qualify as a disability if:

• it prevents you from doing the work you previously did, adjusting to any other type of work, or engaging in any substantial gainful activity
• it has lasted or is expected to last for at least a year or result in death

If your migraine is disabling enough to meet the above-mentioned requirements, then you can claim disability benefits.

In some cases, migraine is merely a symptom of an underlying disease such as:

• meningitis
• brain tumor
• traumatic brain injury
• inflammation in the brain’s blood vessels
• increased or decreased intracranial pressure

If the underlying disease meets the SSA’s definition of disability, you may also claim disability for that condition instead of migraine alone.

Why It’s Hard to Claim Disability for Migraine

While it’s possible to claim disability benefits for migraine, it won’t be that easy. That’s because migraine, as a disability, is pretty difficult to prove.

Unlike other types of disability, migraine symptoms are very subjective. There are no lab tests or imaging studies to definitely prove or disprove the existence of migraine. Your doctor will only rely on the symptoms that you tell them to make a diagnosis.

In addition, migraine symptoms can vary widely for each individual. Some may experience debilitating nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms for days. While others may only suffer from a throbbing pain for hours.

Besides, we all have different pain tolerance. A disabling pain for some might not be that painful for others.

All these make it hard to establish or prove that your migraine is disabling enough to be considered a disability.