Applying for disability

@KimboSlice117 my husband applied for disability when he had to stop working due to his chronic migraine disease. It was a process getting everything filled out. Many migraine sufferers also have additional things wrong with them so combined with migraine disease that could push you into more favorable territory as far as being approved. You have to make sure to list everything that impacts your ability to work and be reliable. Anything you can think of to show how these disabilities impact your life will help. It also would be a good idea to have a disability attorney in mind if you do get denied. They can be a great help. I hope this encourages you to try and get the process going. Warmly, Cheryl migraine team member

KimB86


I have had migraine since I was a very young child, & it has profoundly impacted my life. When I was in my 40s & 50s, my migraines became so frequent that I was missing a LOT of time from work. (My migraines typically last 2-3 days; at that time I was having at least 2 per week; it was almost non-stop migraine.) My employer was very supportive & understanding until they just couldn't continue to employ me due to my absences (which were MANY). I was told I could choose to quit or they would have to terminate my employment. It was devastating for me: financially, emotionally. I was not married, & I moved in with my Mother.


I applied for Social Security Disability in April 2004; shortly after I left my job. I did not have an attorney; I did all the work. I had all past & current doctors complete paperwork for Social Security, but each one of them said it would be unlikely I would be approved. I had no other option but to apply.


When I had my in-office appointment with Social Security, the kind woman interviewing me asked me to describe how migraine impacted my life. I explained in great detail about leaving a job I loved, huge loss of income & benefits, relationships lost or greatly altered, all the missed gatherings with friends & family, literally months & months of my life spent in great pain. I described all the other effects of migraine: nausea/vomiting; sensitivity to noise, light, odors; not being able to move without it feeling like a thousand hammers were beating inside my head; mental confusion & difficulty talking. I told her about all the failed medicines; how nothing ever stopped a migraine; about all the medicine side effects. I described what it was like to have this go on for 2 or 3 days at a time; to have multiple migraines per month - year after year. I described the depression that went along with this. (In my case, I had taken antidepressants at various times during my life - this was also indicated in the paperwork sent to Social Security & may have been an important factor.)


In October 2004 I was notified by Social Security that my claim was approved. Approved with my initial application; no need for appeals. I was surprised & overjoyed. Personally I believe my approval was due to the completeness & abundance of paperwork submitted. But I think another huge factor was the Social Security employee who truly listened to my story. It is my opinion that the report she submitted was the clincher.