Does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Qualify You for Disability Benefits?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a severe neurological and biological disease. It is a complex and long-lasting illness marked by wide-ranging symptoms such as cognitive impairment (brain fog), sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, and severe fatigue (even after minor physical or mental activity) that doesn’t improve with rest. Myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome are the same condition. CFS is a broader clinical name, though many patients and advocates prefer myalgic encephalomyelitis because they believe “fatigue” trivializes a serious disease. The symptoms of ME/CFS can substantially impact every aspect of your life, from your personal relationships to your ability to hold a job and engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
If your symptoms severely limit your ability to work, you may be eligible for financial assistance through one of the Social Security disability programs. Keep in mind that a specific diagnosis of your condition does not automatically qualify you for financial assistance. An award of disability benefits depends upon whether any impairment inhibits your ability to engage in any type of substantial gainful activity. SGA describes a level of work activity and earnings. In general, if you are working and earning more than $1,690 in gross income per month (in 2026), you are engaging in SGA. The reason that your earnings are below the SGA must be medically determinable physical or mental impairments which have lasted or can be expected to last at least 12 months or can be expected to lead to death.
There are two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance, which is known as SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, commonly referred to as SSI. SSDI pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are disabled, and you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes recently enough. SSI, on the other hand, is based on financial need. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says, “It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.” The road to being awarded disability benefits for either program is complicated and difficult to navigate. It requires meeting strict conditions.
To determine if you are medically eligible for disability benefits, Social Security has a set of procedures in place. These procedures are published in a handbook known as the “Blue Book,” and it includes a list of various disabling conditions known as “listings”. If your condition matches the criteria in the Blue Book, you may be awarded disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.
Although ME/CFS does not have a dedicated, standalone listing in the SSA “Blue Book,” there is a specific Social Security ruling that addresses the condition. To win benefits due to ME/CFS, you must demonstrate that the symptoms of your impairment prevent you from sustaining full-time competitive employment on a consistent and reliable basis. Keep in mind that ME/CFS symptoms, by themselves, are not enough to qualify you for benefits. To prove that your impairment prevents you from maintaining full-time employment, you will often need at least one of the following, depending on your specific health condition: a doctor’s diagnosis of clinical signs of the disease, laboratory and imaging findings which substantiate your doctor’s analysis, and an explanation of how your impairment limits your ability to work.
According to the ruling, a licensed physician must provide a diagnosis that rules out all other potential causes of your symptoms backed by at least six consecutive months of documented medical evidence including:
Clinical Signs:
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
- Non-exudative pharyngitis (sore throat)
- Persistent muscle pain or multi-joint pain without swelling
- Frequent viral infections or sinusitis
- Post-exertional malaise which lasts more than 24 hours. (PEM is characterized by the worsening of existing symptoms or the appearance of new symptoms after minor physical, mental, emotional, or social activity.)
Laboratory & Imaging Findings:
- Abnormal brain MRI scans
- Blood test showing a strong concentration of antibodies
- Evidence of neurally mediated hypotension verified by a tilt-table test (Neurally mediated hypotension is a condition where miscommunication between the brain and heart causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain when standing upright.)
- Formal neurocognitive testing which reveals severe deficits in short-term memory, concentration, or processing speed
It is also important for your doctor to explain how your medical conditions limit your ability to work. This is usually done using a form called the “Residual Functional Capacity” (RFC) form. The RFC form is separate from the medical records and helps your doctor to explain your limitations. To decide whether you qualify for Social Security disability benefits the Social Security Administration will consider the RFC form along with other evidence such as medical tests.
Some refer to ME/CFS as an “invisible disease,” because you might not look sick, but the resulting physical or mental exertion can leave you bedridden for days. This can make it difficult to get the SSA—and even some doctors—to treat your condition seriously. Getting approved for Social Security disability benefits can be difficult for individuals with almost any medical condition, but it can be particularly challenging for those applying for benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome. That is why you need knowledgeable and experienced disability attorneys on your side. If you have a disabling injury or illness and your condition has made it impossible for you to hold a job, contact us at Nash Disability Law for a free evaluation of your situation. We know how to navigate through the complex Social Security Administration disability claims process and guide you on the best path forward. We only get paid when you win your case.
