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24-HOUR MH HOTLINE: 800-644-9737
Outside NA: 001-209-417-3722
FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY

Social Security Benefits and MH

 

Social Security Benefits and Malignant Hyperthermia

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits with Malignant Hyperthermia

If you have been diagnosed with Malignant Hyperthermia and you expect that you cannot work for at least 12 months because of it, you can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability benefits can be used to pay for things like medication that isn’t covered by insurance, food, utility bills, or housing while you cannot work. Disability benefits can alleviate the stress of figuring out how to pay your bills when you’re sick and can’t work.

Medically Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits

In most cases in order to qualify medically for Social Security disability benefits you need to be diagnosed with a medical condition that is listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book. The Blue Book lists all of the medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits and the criteria that must be met in order for someone to have their claim for benefits approved because of that condition.

But in some cases, people need disability benefits but don’t meet the criteria that are listed in the Blue Book or have a condition that isn’t listed in the Blue Book. When that happens, those people can still qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration through a program known as a Medical Vocational Allowance.

Malignant Hyperthermia

Malignant Hyperthermia is one of the conditions that isn’t listed in the Blue Book but can make it impossible for someone to work. It’s a genetic disorder that can cause severe overwarming of the body to the point where the person’s life can be in danger. The heart rate increases to a dangerous level and the person develops a dangerously high body temperature and can also have muscle spasms. Usually this is a result of exposure to certain drugs, but it can also, in some cases, be caused by extreme physical activity.

Medical Vocational Allowance for Malignant Hyperthermia

If you have been diagnosed with Malignant Hyperthermia and can’t work, you can qualify for disability benefits with a Medical Vocational Allowance. Under this exception program the Social Security Administration will perform a Residual Functional Capacity evaluation. The Residual Functional Capacity evaluation is done by the SSA to see if there is any kind of work that you can do with the skills that you have and the medical condition that you have. If the SSA determines that you can’t work full time with the skills you have and the condition that you have, then your claim for disability benefits can be approved. A Residual Functional Capacity evaluation will make it easier to get benefits if there is no work that you can reasonably be expected to do with Malignant Hyperthermia.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

If you are applying for benefits and you know that you will be requesting a Residual Functional Capacity evaluation the best thing to do is apply in person. Make an appointment at your local SSA office. When you go, take all of your medical documentation with you and ask for Residual Functional Capacity evaluation on your application. A staff member can help you file your claim asking for a RFC evaluation so that you can be approved for disability benefits.

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This item filed in the following categories:
  • For Patients
  • General
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scientific understanding of MH and related disorders.