Social Security Disability and Medication

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

You do not have to have been prescribed medication in order to qualify for social security disability (SSD) or SSI benefits. In fact, neither the social security administration nor DDS (the state disability determination service or agency that makes disability decisions for social security) defines any disabling condition based on what types of medications a claimant has or is currently taking.

Theoretically, any individual that files for disability could be approved for benefits, regardless of their medical history.

However, if you are not taking medicine to treat your symptoms and are filing for disability based on a medical condition that could be improved by medication, a disability examiner may question if you are truly disabled, or if it’s possible that you could work if you took prescribed medication.

For instance, it is possible to effectively control epilepsy with seizure medication, asthma with steroids, symptoms of depression with antidepressants, etc. In such cases it is difficult for an individual to prove that their condition is disabling without having at least tried to alleviate the symptoms by taking medication. To the disability examiner or administrative hearing judge reviewing your case, it could appear that you are either not ill enough to have sought medical treatment, or that a physician did not think your condition was serious enough to prescribe medication.

So, although it is not necessary to be on medication to prove that you have a disability, it does make it harder to demonstrate medical compliance; that is, social security cannot determine your real functional capacity if you are not taking the medication commonly prescribed to treat your symptoms, and it will be difficult to make the case that you could not, with proper medical treatment, return to work.

This puts some who file for disability in an unfair position, because they may be uninsured, or unable to afford either to see a doctor or to buy the prescribed medication. Unfortunately, a lack of medical documentation in this area can hurt a claimant’s case, and may make it impossible to win SSD or SSI benefits.

If you are applying for disability benefits but have no health insurance, it’s a good idea to check out any free clinics or free prescription services in your area. Your local county health department or social services agency should be able to give you a list of such resources available in your area.

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Individual Questions and Answers

What happens if my SSI or Social Security Disability Application is denied?

Can you apply for disability if you have a mental condition ?

How do you apply for disability if you have depression problems ?

Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

How long does it take to appeal a disability case ?

Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?

How to apply for social security disability benefits for children

Recent Medical Records for a Social Security Disability or SSI case

Proving Functional Limitations and why this is Important on a Disability Case

Applying for disability benefits in North Carolina

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

How to qualify for disability - The Process of Qualifying for Benefits

What are the questions that get asked at a social security disability or SSI hearing?

Social Security Temporary Disability - Can I get temporary benefits?

SSI for children

Questions regarding Disability lawyers

What cases win Disability Benefits

Can you file for Social Security disability for a mental disorder or problem?

Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

Are SSI and Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

Social Security Disability Mental Testing

Can you get temporary Social Security disability or SSI benefits ?

Do You Get Disability Benefits From The First Time You Applied?

What makes you disabled for SSD, Social Security Disability Benefits, OR SSI?

Migraines, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

When I Apply for Disability - Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI?

Can You Apply For Disability When You Lose Your Job?

How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don’t Have Money To Go To the Doctor?

Can You Qualify for Disability if you did not work much?

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits?

Filing for SSI Disability

When you file for disability and have both Mental and Physical Conditions

How do you get an SSI disability application and Claim started?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Oregon

How Do You Win An SSI or Social Security Disability Hearing?

How many Social Security Disability appeals do you get ?

Applying for disability benefits in Rhode Island

What Are The Steps To Applying For Disability Benefits from Social Security?

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials