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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Social Security Disability Allowable Claim

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one million Americans suffer from Choric Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

In order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:
1. He or she must have severe chronic fatigue for a period of six months or longer with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis; and

2. He or she must also have four or more of the following symptoms: (1) substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; (2) sore throat; (3) tender lymph nodes; (4) muscle pain; (5) multi-joint pain without swelling or redness; (6) headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; (7) unrefreshing sleep; and (8) post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
If you are diagnosed with CFS and this symptom prevents you from performing work, you may be liable for Social Security Disability benefits.

You may acquire long-term disability benefits from the Social Security Administration as a result of your disability. Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs may help support you in your time of need. However, you must have physical or mental health problems (or a combination of problems), severe enough to prevent you from performing your work in any regular, paying job for at least 12 months in order to qualify for Social Security benefits.

On the other hand, you may also be eligible to receive benefits from your employer through Worker’s Compensation or other government benefits provided for Federal employees if you happen to be one.