Disability Requirements

• For Parkinson's to be considered a disability by the Social Security Administration, the symptoms of the disease must have interfered with your ability to work and earn an income. The symptoms also must be expected to last for at least 12 months.
  
  

Applying for Benefits

• If you want to apply for benefits, you must contact your local Social Security field office and fill out an application. The field office will verify your non-medical information then forward your application to your State Disability Determination Service. The State Disability Determination Service will verify your medical information and make a decision regarding your benefits.
  
  

Medical Documentation

• You are required to provide medical evidence documenting your condition when you apply for benefits. Acceptable forms of documentation can be obtained from: licensed physicians, licensed psychologists, speech language pathologists and other licensed medical professionals.