Can You Get Disability for Migraines?
If you cannot work due to migraines, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, if you also have a qualifying condition listed in the Social Security Blue Book, such as anxiety and high blood pressure. You may also get disability for migraines if the Social Security Administration considers your migraines disabling in other ways. Disability Advice has a team of lawyers ready to explain your eligibility and guide you through your next steps.
Do Migraines Qualify for Disability?
The SSA publishes a listing of impairments that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, also called the Blue Book. While the Blue Book does not include migraines as a qualifying condition, you may still be eligible to collect SSDI for migraines in some circumstances.
There are three ways to qualify for SSDI as a migraine sufferer:
- You have a diagnosed, medically documented condition listed in the Blue Book that is the source of your migraines, such as anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- The SSA determines that your migraine condition is equal to an impairment in the Blue Book. This path is more challenging because it requires the SSA to establish you have a medically determinable impairment.
- You receive a medical vocational allowance from the SSA. This option might be available if your migraines don’t directly or indirectly meet the Blue Book criteria.
In any case, you may only receive SSDI if your migraines significantly affect your ability to work and the condition is expected to last at least a year or result in death. Most SSDI recipients have a monthly income limit of $1,620 for 2025.
To be eligible for SSDI, you must also have accumulated a sufficient number of work credits over your work history. You earn work credits by paying into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. The number of work credits you need varies based on your age.
How to Apply for SSDI Benefits
You can apply for SSDI benefits online, over the phone, or at your nearest SSA office. The application will ask about your medical history, job history, education and training, and basic personal details. You must submit documents such as your birth certificate or citizenship papers and W-2 forms. The SSA will also ask for medical records related to your migraines, such as diagnostic tests and treatment records.
Make sure you’re eligible for SSDI before you apply. You’re likely eligible if your migraines prevent you from performing significant work and will last at least one year.
You’ll start receiving benefits soon after the SSA approves your application. The Social Security Administration calculates SSDI benefits using a formula based on your past earnings. The SSA estimates that the average SSDI recipient will receive approximately $1,580 monthly in 2025. The amount you receive will depend on your work history and pre-disability income. You can estimate your potential SSDI payment amount using our SSDI calculator.
Alternatives to SSDI for Migraines
If you don’t qualify for SSDI for migraines, you may have other financial assistance options, including SSI and a medical-vocational allowance.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to low-income older and disabled adults. Unlike SSDI, you need not have accumulated a certain number of work credits to qualify. Instead, the SSA considers your income and financial resources to determine eligibility.
SSI usually pays less than SSDI—eligible individuals may receive a maximum of $967 in SSI benefits for 2025. Thus, SSI should be a last resort if you’re unable to work due to migraines. Plenty of alternatives make SSDI attainable for many migraine sufferers.
Medical Vocational Allowance
The SSA allows certain applicants to qualify for SSDI even if their condition does not strictly match the Blue Book’s disability listings. You may receive benefits through a medical vocational allowance if your migraines prevent you from performing substantial work.
The SSA will assess your residual functional capacity, or RFC, to determine whether you can perform any type of work. Your RFC assesses the maximum work activity you can perform despite your migraines. The SSA must find that you can perform these activities on a regular and continuing basis—generally defined as eight hours a day, five days a week—for them to be considered in your RFC.
A variety of evidence will come into play in your RFC assessment, including your medical history, treatment effects, reports of daily activities, and prior work evaluations. A SSA claims examiner will complete a form to outline your RFC, but your doctors may also complete an RFC form to provide more insight into your limitations. Once you have your RFC, you can work with a disability advocate to advocate for your eligibility before the SSA when you apply for benefits.
How Can Disability Advice Help?
Migraines are often the subject of misunderstandings. Many people mistake them for ordinary headaches and don’t understand the severity of the condition. The fluctuating nature of many people’s migraines further complicates other people’s understanding of the condition. While the hurdles to obtaining SSDI for migraine disorders can be significant, the right disability advocate can greatly push the odds in your favor.
Disability Advice can guide you through this process. Our team of disability advocates can help you apply for benefits and improve your chances of getting approved for the first time. And if you’ve already been denied benefits, we can help you appeal the decision and fight for your right to receive the support you need. We’ll handle all the legal details, from gathering medical evidence to submitting appeals so that you can focus on your health.
If your migraines affect your work ability, allow us to explain your options with a free consultation. Contact us today to get started.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
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