Does a Stroke Qualify for Disability in Baltimore, VA or DC?

Social Security looks closely at how your stroke symptoms affect your daily functioning and ability to hold a job. They consider problems such as:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis)
• Difficulty speaking or understanding language (aphasia)
• Cognitive or memory problems
• Vision loss or balance issues
• Fatigue, depression, or other mental health effects

To approve your claim, the SSA requires strong medical evidence, including:

• Hospital and rehabilitation records
• Imaging results like MRI or CT scans
• Physical, speech, and occupational therapy notes
• Reports from your neurologist or other treating doctors

They also want to see how the aftermath of your stroke affects your ability to sit, stand, walk, use your hands, concentrate and complete tasks consistently.

So, if you’re asking, “Does a stroke qualify for disability?” the answer is yes—if your limitations are serious enough and well-documented.

Get a FREE disability claim consultation with Mathis & Mathis.

After a stroke, you may face a range of limitations—from speech problems to memory issues to loss of mobility.

When it comes to applying for disability benefits, Social Security doesn’t just look at your diagnosis. They look at how the lingering fallout from your stroke undermines your ability to work.

Here’s what the Social Security Administration focuses on:

• How long your symptoms last. You’ll need to show that the effects of your stroke will last at least 12 months—or are expected to. The SSA typically waits three months after your stroke before deciding. They want to see how much you recover first.
• What symptoms you still have despite treatment. If you’re still having trouble walking, using your hands, speaking, understanding others, or remembering things, even after rehabilitation, this can support your case for disability income.
• How your condition affects your daily tasks. Can you stand or walk for long? Focus for more than a few minutes? Follow directions? Get along with people? These functional limitations are key to a disability claim.
• What your medical records show. Your medical records, like the CT scans, MRIs, hospital reports, and notes from physical or speech therapy, help confirm how your stroke has impacted your daily life.
• Other effects after the stroke. Many people also experience depression, other cognitive issues or extreme fatigue. When combined with everything else you’re experiencing, these can paint a clearer picture of why you can’t return to work.

At Mathis & Mathis, this is what we help with every day.

We’ll guide you through the process, help you gather the right records, and give you the best possible shot at winning benefits. And you pay no fee for your disability advocate unless you win.

That means there’s no cost to get us started working on your claim. We only get paid when you win benefits.

Contact us to take the first step toward stability and peace of mind after a stroke.

Because applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated, you likely have many questions about the process. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.