Get Social Security Disability & SSI Benefits: Cerebral Palsy

Case Winning Criteria

A Social Security and SSI award of disability benefits with cerebral palsy is possible if you comply with two rules:

1. Non-Medical Criteria, and
2. Disability Criteria.

Complying with the disability criteria means –

1. Becoming familiar with Social Security’s cerebral palsy evaluation (this page),
2. You satisfy the Social Security Cerebral Palsy Listing (also this page) or have disabling Functional Limitations (next page), and
3. You Submit Winning Evidence (next page after functional limitations).

Social Security’s Position About Your Cerebral Palsy Medical Evidence

Cerebral palsy is an abnormality in the part of the brain that controls movement – a movement disorder. It appears before birth or in early childhood. It usually severely affects the body, and it is a medical condition that is allowed at Social Security’s initial and reconsideration levels (no hearing is needed) with proper medical evidence.

You will need to submit to Social Security evidence of your diagnosis and treatment. The cause is unknown, and there is no specific medical test for cerebral palsy. That said, diagnosis is primarily done by clinical assessment (doctor observation) of the child’s movement patterns. Diagnosis is secondarily done by brain CT or MRI, electroencephalogram (EEG), genetic testing, and metabolic testing. Symptoms are as follows:

1. Abnormal movements, posture, and motor functions;
2. Pain;
3. Muscle atrophy;
4. Weakness;
5. Physical deformities, and
6. Cognitive dysfunction.

Treatment varies very widely depending on the body part affected and the severity of the effects, but treatment generally includes physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers. In severe cases, and depending on the body part affected, a variety of surgeries may be performed. There is no cure, and treatment success is generally minimal and often does not improve functioning to the point where a person does not meet Social Security’s disability criteria.

Cerebral Palsy: The Social Security & SSI Listing

Meeting the cerebral palsy Adult Listing 11.07 and Child Listing 111.07 at Step 3 means complying with sections 1, 2, or 3 for an adult and only section 1 for a child.

1. You have an extreme limitation with your bilateral legs for standing and balancing, or an extreme limitation with your upper extremities;
2. You have a marked limitation with your general physical abilities, and also a marked limitation with –
   1. Information,
   2. People,
   3. Cognition and pace, or
   4. Your personal and work needs; or.
3. Serious problems with speech, hearing, or seeing.