Yes, you can get disability for Parkinson’s disease if your symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes Parkinson’s as a disabling neurological condition under its Blue Book Listing 11.06 (Parkinsonian Syndrome). If your condition substantially limits your ability to perform basic work activities and is expected to last at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits in California.
Read on to learn how Parkinson’s disease can qualify for disability, what medical criteria you’ll need to meet, the types of benefits available, how to apply, and how a disability attorney can help strengthen your claim.
Key Takeaways
- Parkinson’s is a recognized disability. The SSA includes Parkinsonian syndrome in its official list of qualifying conditions.
- You must meet strict medical and work criteria. Symptoms must severely impair motor function or mental capacity, and you must have enough work credits or low income.
- You may still qualify for benefits even if you don’t meet the exact listing, as long as your condition significantly limits your ability to work.
- The SSA evaluates how Parkinson’s affects daily activities, such as walking, using your hands, or maintaining focus and emotional control.
- Detailed medical documentation is essential, including diagnosis, treatment history, neurological evaluations, and how symptoms affect daily functioning.
- There are 2 types of disability benefits available—SSDI and SSI, depending on your work history, income, and resources.
- A disability attorney improves your chances. Professional help can ensure your application clearly shows how Parkinson’s affects your ability to work.
Table of Contents
- Is Parkinson’s Disease a Disability?
- Does Parkinson’s Qualify for Disability Benefits?
- What If You Don’t Meet the Listing?
- When Can You Get Disability for Parkinson’s?
- What Types of Disability Benefits Are Available for Parkinson’s Disease?
- Why You Should Consider Working With a Disability Attorney
- Frequently Asked Questions
- We Help People With Parkinson’s Secure Their Disability Benefits
Is Parkinson’s Disease a Disability?
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and coordination. It is considered a disability by the SSA when it affects your ability to work, and a Parkinson’s diagnosis may qualify for disability benefits if you experience:
- Persistent tremors or slow movements
- Muscle stiffness or rigidity
- Postural instability or difficulty balancing
- Cognitive decline or mental impairment
- Difficulty using hands or walking independently
Even if your symptoms don’t exactly match the SSA’s requirements, you may still qualify based on how your condition limits your daily functioning and ability to maintain employment.
Does Parkinson’s Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Yes. The SSA outlines specific medical criteria under Blue Book Listing 11.06 for Parkinsonian syndrome. To meet this listing, you must have one of the following for at least 3 months, even with treatment:
- Disorganization of motor function in 2 extremities (e.g., hands or legs) resulting in extreme limitation in walking, standing up, or using your arms.
- Marked limitation in physical function and one of the following areas:
- Understanding, remembering, or applying information
- Interacting with others
- Concentrating or maintaining pace
- Adapting to change or managing emotions
To qualify, your doctor must document these symptoms with comprehensive medical records, including:
- Diagnosis and history of treatment
- Neurological exams
- Imaging results (like MRIs)
- Reports on physical and mental functioning
- Medication side effects
What If You Don’t Meet the Listing?
Not everyone with Parkinson’s meets the exact medical criteria laid out in the SSA’s Listing 11.06, but that doesn’t mean you’re automatically disqualified. You may still be eligible for disability benefits through a medical-vocational allowance. This is an alternative route the SSA uses to approve applicants whose conditions, while not listing-level, still make it impossible to maintain full-time employment.
To determine this, the SSA evaluates several key factors:
- Residual Functional Capacity (RFC): This refers to the most you can still do, physically or mentally, despite your Parkinson’s. For example, you might be able to stand for only short periods, walk with difficulty, or struggle with tasks that require fine motor skills (like typing or using tools). The SSA uses your medical records, doctors’ statements, and possibly a consultative exam to make this determination.
- Age, Education, and Work Experience: The SSA considers how old you are, your level of education, and the type of work you’ve done in the past.
- Ability to Adjust to Other Work: If the SSA believes you can’t return to your old job but might be able to adjust to a less demanding role, they’ll consider whether your symptoms and limitations would realistically allow you to transition to other types of employment.
This evaluation looks at how Parkinson’s affects your ability to concentrate, perform physical tasks, interact with others, or follow a routine. Even if your condition doesn’t exactly match the listing requirements, your daily limitations might still make you eligible for benefits.
When Can You Get Disability for Parkinson’s?
You can apply for disability benefits as soon as your symptoms prevent you from working full-time. However, the SSA requires:
- Your condition to have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months
- Proof that your symptoms interfere with substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- Documentation that treatments haven’t restored work capacity
Parkinson’s disease is progressive, and symptoms can worsen over time. If your early-stage symptoms aren’t yet severe enough to qualify, keep detailed medical records and track changes in your ability to work.
What Types of Disability Benefits Are Available for Parkinson’s Disease?
If you have Parkinson’s disease and can no longer work, you may qualify for one of the following disability benefit programs managed by the SSA:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is a program designed for individuals who have a strong work history and have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes. To qualify, you must:
- Have earned enough work credits
- Show that your condition prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity
- Provide medical evidence showing your Parkinson’s is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
If approved for SSDI, you’ll receive monthly benefits based on your past earnings.
Best for: People with a consistent employment history and enough work credits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a needs-based program for people who are disabled, blind, or over age 65 with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. To qualify, you must:
- Meet the SSA’s disability definition (same criteria as SSDI)
- Have low income and assets
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen
In California, SSI recipients may also qualify for State Supplemental Payments (SSP), which can increase your monthly benefit.
Best for: People with little or no work history and limited financial resources.
An experienced disability attorney can help determine which program is best for you and guide you through the application process to improve your chances of approval.
Why You Should Consider Working With a Disability Attorney
Applying for Social Security disability benefits for Parkinson’s disease can be overwhelming, especially when you’re also managing doctor visits, medications, and the emotional toll of your condition. That’s where a disability attorney can make a real difference.
Here’s how a qualified attorney can help:
- Build a stronger case: An experienced attorney knows exactly what the SSA is looking for in Parkinson’s claims and can help you gather the right medical evidence, work history documentation, and functional assessments.
- Handle the paperwork and deadlines: The application process involves complex forms and strict timelines. An attorney ensures nothing gets missed.
- Communicate with the SSA for you: Your attorney can handle direct communication with the Social Security Administration and respond quickly to requests for more information.
- Represent you at a disability hearing: If your claim is denied, a lawyer can represent you in front of an administrative law judge, which greatly improves your odds of success.
Dr. Bill LaTour and his team have helped thousands of Californians navigate the disability process. We understand what you’re going through and are here to make sure your case gets the attention it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be challenging, especially if your symptoms don’t neatly match the SSA’s medical listing for Parkinsonian syndrome. Many initial applications are denied due to missing medical evidence or unclear documentation. However, with detailed records of your symptoms, a strong doctor’s statement, and the help of a disability attorney, you can improve your chances.
There’s no fixed amount, as benefit payments vary depending on the program and your work history. For those approved for SSDI, the monthly benefit is calculated based on your prior earnings. If you qualify for SSI, your benefit is based on your current income and resources, and it may be supplemented by state assistance in places like California.
You can apply:
- Online through the SSA website
- By phone by calling 1-800-772-1213
- In person at your local Social Security office
Be prepared to submit detailed medical records, a list of medications and treatments, work history, and information about how your symptoms interfere with daily life and job duties. You may also be asked to complete additional forms or attend a consultative exam.
On average, the initial decision takes about 3 to 6 months, but delays are common. If your application is denied and you appeal, the process can take 12 months or longer, especially if your case goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge. The timeline varies based on your local SSA office workload, the complexity of your case, and how quickly you submit supporting documents. Working with a disability attorney can often help move things along more smoothly.
We Help People With Parkinson’s Secure Their Disability Benefits
If you’re wondering, “Can you get disability for Parkinson’s disease?”—the answer is yes, but approval isn’t automatic. The key is proving how your symptoms interfere with your ability to work and live independently. With the right medical evidence, a thorough application, and support from a knowledgeable attorney, you can increase your chances of receiving benefits.
Every day, our qualified team of disability advocates helps Californians living with serious health conditions like Parkinson’s get approved for Social Security disability benefits. We understand the system, and we know how to fight for your claim.
Don’t wait—contact us today for a free case evaluation and take the first step toward the financial support and peace of mind you need.
