Cerebral Palsy and Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits

Can I get Disability Benefits for Cerebral Palsy?

To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, first you must: 1) have a disability that has lasted or is expected to last 12 months; 2) you must have worked in a job where you paid Social Security taxes long enough and recently enough; and 3) you must not earn more than Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which is $1,620 per month in 2025 for nonblind applicants and $2,700 per month for blind applicants.

If you earn more than the SGA amount, your claim will be denied, and if you have not worked enough recently to earn the necessary amount of work credits, Social Security will deny your claim.

If you satisfy the above financial requirements, you may qualify for Social Security Disability income if your disorder matches an impairment listed in Social Security’s Blue Book, a manual which lists impairments Social Security considers disabling and may automatically qualify for benefits.

The Social Security Administration recognizes cerebral palsy as a disabling impairment under Section 11.07 Cerebral palsy.

You should be prepared to submit to Social Security your complete medical records, including your medical history, detailed doctors’ notes regarding your limitations, exam findings, results of laboratory tests, and imaging such as x-rays, CT, MRI, and EEG as well as prescribed treatments and medications and your response.

Social Security will also consider non-medical evidence such as statements from you and others regarding your condition and restrictions, your daily activities and efforts to work. Discuss your condition with your medical providers and make sure they describe your limitations and symptoms in their notes in detail. Social Security will compare your doctor’s notes with what you say in your application. You will need to demonstrate that you are following your doctor’s treatment plan, and despite that your medical condition still prevents you from working full-time.

It’s also important to keep track of your work absences.

Once Social Security determines your limitations caused by your condition, they will have a vocational expert assess whether a person with those same limitations is employable.

If your cerebral palsy symptoms don’t match a listed impairment, you may still qualify for SSDI based on your limitations and restrictions.

Social Security will conduct a Residual Functional Capacity assessment to evaluate how your disability affects your ability to perform your old job or if there is any other job you are able to perform, taking into account whether or not you are able to drive, your age, and level of education. For example, you may be restricted from work that requires lifting, reaching, typing, writing, or grabbing. If you have difficulty walking or keeping your balance, you may be limited to sedentary jobs. If Social Security decides you cannot do your old job or don’t have the skills to perform a new job, you may be approved for a Medical-Vocational Allowance.

You may also be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you have another medical condition.

All people with CP experience problems with movement and posture, but others are also impacted by other conditions such as seizures, limited vision or hearing, changes in the spine or intellectual disorders. One disorder alone may not meet the criteria of an impairment as stated in Social Security’s Blue Book, but if you have more than one medical condition, Social Security must consider how those health issues combined limit your ability to hold a job and perform necessary daily tasks.

Filing a claim for disability benefits and getting approval can be a long, complicated process.

Most initial applications are denied, but you may appeal and evidence shows that your chances for approval are increased significantly if you have legal representation. At each potential stage of the process, from the initial application stage to the reconsideration stage and the ALJ hearing stage, an attorney can assist you in completing the detailed forms and questionnaires required by Social Security, collecting and submitting relevant medical evidence, and preparing questionnaires for your doctors. At the ALJ hearing phase an attorney will not only continue to assure that the evidence is complete, but prepare you for questioning by the ALJ, prepare an argument on your behalf and question any doctors or vocational experts selected by the ALJ to testify at the hearing. At the Appeals Council and federal court level, a lawyer can present legal arguments to show your case was wrongfully denied. Fees charged by disability attorneys are regulated by federal law and are usually 25% of disability backpay you are owed. There are no out-of-pocket costs, and if you don’t win your case, you won’t be charged anything.