Dysautonomia can be a primary disorder, or it can be a secondary condition alongside Ehlers-Danlos, Chiari Malformation or Lupus to name a few. Dysautonomia is a full-body disease that affects everyone differently. Some people with dysautonomia will only have mild symptoms, while others may become fully disabled by the condition.
The Social Security Administration does not award benefits based on simply having a condition. Instead, it will base an approval or denial on the extent to which a condition causes functional limitations. These limitations must be great enough to make work activity not possible. For children, they need to make it impossible to engage in age-appropriate activities.
Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. The Social Security Administration considers you disabled if you meet the following three conditions:
Social Security credits are based on the amount of your earnings. They use your earnings and work history to determine your eligibility for disability benefits.
As of 2017, a person could receive one credit for each $1,300 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year.
Each year, the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly, as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record, even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while.
The following table shows examples of how many credits you would need if you became disabled at various selected ages. This table does not cover all situations.
Age at Onset Number of Credits
Before 24 6 credits
24-30 4 to 10 credits
31-42 20 credits
43-61 20 to 40 credits
62 to full retirement age 40 credits
Amber Griggs
Jeremiah Swegle
Vanessa Matelski
Copyright 2018 Dysautonomia Advocacy Foundation
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