Post-polio Syndrome and Qualifying for Disability Benefits

1.   Disorganization of motor function in two extremities (one arm and one leg or two arms and two legs), that causes difficulty standing up from a seated position, balancing while standing or walking, or using the arms.

OR

2.   Inability to speak clearly and intelligibly.

OR

3.   Weakness in muscles that control eating and swallowing resulting in the inability to breath without use of a ventilator or need for supplemental enteral nutrition.

OR

4.   Marked limitation in physical functioning and marked limitation in one of the following:
   1.    Understanding, remembering, or applying information; or
   2.   Interacting with others; or
   3.   Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or
   4.   Adapting or managing oneself.

Note that Social Security defines “marked” as worse than moderate and less than extreme.

You must provide medical proof of post-polio syndrome to Social Security in order to be approved for disability benefits.

Though you are not required to produce old medical records, the medical evidence should include:

•    A description of the initial polio illness.
•   Records that support the symptoms described in Social Security’s listing, such as difficulty speaking, swallowing, breathing.
•   Details of your current physical impairments, including when they began and how severe they are.
•   Doctors’ notes detailing tasks you are unable to perform and limitations caused by PPS that interfere with your ability to function independently.

If you have post-polio syndrome but your disability doesn’t match the listing criteria, you may still be approved for disability benefits if you can prove you are unable to work because of your physical limitations.

Social Security will conduct a Residual Functional Capacity assessment (RFC) to determine how your limitations affect your ability to work (called a medical vocational assessment), taking into account whether or not you are able to drive, your age, and your level of education. For example, if you have mobility issues, you may still be able to perform a sedentary job. However, if you suffer from extreme fatigue, you may not be able to do sedentary work. If your speech is difficult to understand, certain jobs may not be possible.

Additionally, if you have another impairment; for example, arthritis, you may still be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

Applicants often have more than one illness or injury that prevents them from working full time. One disorder alone may not meet the requirements of an impairment as stated in Social Security’s Blue Book, but, if an applicant has multiple medical conditions, Social Security must consider how those health issues, combined together, limit an applicant’s ability to hold a job and perform necessary daily tasks.

If you have post-polio syndrome and it has prevented you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

Filing for disability benefits can be an intimidating process. Having the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can make the difference between a denial and a successful claim.

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, you will need to satisfy a few specific requirements in two categories as determined by the Social Security Administration.

The first category is the Work Requirements which has two tests.

1.   The Duration of Work test.   Whether you have worked long enough to be covered under SSDI.
2.   The Current Work Test.   Whether you worked recently enough for the work to actually count toward coverage.

The second category is the Medical Eligibility Requirement.

1.   Are you working?   Your disability must be “total”.
2.   Is your medical condition severe?    Your disability must be “severe” enough to interfere with your ability to perform basic work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, and remembering.
3.   Is your medical condition on the List of Impairments?   The SSA has a “List of Impairments” that automatically qualify as “severe” disabilities. If your disease is not listed this does not mean you cannot get disability, it means you must prove you cannot maintain employment due to your limitations.
4.   Can you do the work you did before?   SSDI rules look at whether your medical condition prevents you from doing the work you did prior to developing the condition.
5.   Can you do any other type of work?   If you cannot do your prior work, an evaluation is made as to whether you can perform any other kind of work.

More details can be found on our Qualifying for Disability page.