Is Lyme Disease a Disability? How to Qualify for Benefits
Lyme disease can qualify as a disability if it causes long-lasting symptoms that make it difficult or impossible for you to work. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t specifically list Lyme disease in its Blue Book, many people suffering from chronic Lyme symptoms are still awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
If you're dealing with fatigue, joint pain, or cognitive issues that won’t go away, you’re not alone. You have options. Here's what you need to know to give your claim the best possible chance of success.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of an infected deer tick, also known as a black-legged tick, carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. It’s most common in wooded or grassy areas like you would find when camping, hiking, or hunting. One of its most recognizable signs is the bulls-eye (erythema migrans) rash that appears around the site of the tick bite. If you have this symptom, it’s easier to catch it early and treat it effectively. However, not everyone gets a skin rash that simplifies a Lyme disease diagnosis.
Without treatment, Lyme disease can lead to serious, long-term complications. In some cases, even after a standard course of antibiotics, people experience lingering cognitive impairment and physical symptoms for months or years. This is sometimes called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) or chronic Lyme disease.
Common Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Symptoms of Lyme disease can vary widely, and they often mimic other conditions. That’s part of what makes this tick-borne illness so difficult to diagnose and prove in a disability claim.
Common Lyme disease symptoms include:
Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Muscle weakness, chronic pain, and Inflammatory Arthritis, especially in the knees
Cognitive problems such as brain fog, memory problems, or trouble concentrating
Severe headaches or neck stiffness
Heart problems such as heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
Dizziness, shortness of breath, or facial palsy (Bell's palsy)
Sleep disturbances and mood changes
When these symptoms interfere with your ability to maintain full-time work, it may be time to consider applying for disability.
Treatment Options for Lyme Disease
Most cases of Lyme disease are treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. But for people with chronic symptoms, treatment can be much more complex. Doctors may recommend:
Long-term antibiotic therapy (sometimes controversial)
Pain management or physical therapy
Treatment for co-occurring conditions and mental disorders like anxiety or depression
Lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and stress reduction
Unfortunately, these treatment plans aren’t always effective. For some, the treatments’ side effects alone can make working a full-time job impossible.
Can You Get Social Security Disability Benefits for Lyme Disease?
Yes, but it’s not simple. The SSA does not have a specific listing for Lyme disease. Instead, they look at how your medical condition affects your ability to work over the long term. That’s where comprehensive, in-depth medical documentation proving your condition meets the criteria for disability comes in.
Criteria for Getting Disability Benefits With Lyme Disease
To qualify, you must prove that your symptoms:
Have lasted (or will last) at least 12 months
Prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity
The SSA may evaluate your Lyme disease under related categories, such as:
Neurological disorders (due to brain fog or nerve pain)
Inflammatory arthritis (for joint pain and swelling)
Chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (if you meet those criteria)
Your case will likely hinge on a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) evaluation, which shows what you can still do despite your condition. The more detailed your medical documentation, the stronger your claim.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
You can apply for disability benefits online, over the phone, or at your local SSA office. Before you apply, be prepared to gather and submit:
Medical records from doctors, specialists, and hospitals
Lab results and imaging that confirm your diagnosis
A detailed history of treatments and how you’ve responded
Personal logs describing day-to-day struggles
Statements from your healthcare providers about your limitations
It’s also helpful to include non-medical evidence, like letters from family, friends, or employers who’ve seen how Lyme disease has affected your life.
Most claims—around 62%—are denied initially, including many that are valid claims. It’s very easy to make a mistake in your application or fail to follow the SSA’s strict rules. That’s why it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly and consider professional help from the start.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Navigating a Lyme disease disability claim is hard enough. Doing it while dealing with brain fog, pain, and exhaustion makes it feel nearly impossible. And when your condition isn’t clearly listed by the SSA, the burden of proof falls even more heavily on you.
That’s where a disability attorney can help.
An experienced lawyer can:
Organize your medical records and supporting documentation
Work with your doctors to craft detailed statements
File paperwork correctly to avoid delays
Represent you through appeals and hearings
At Impact Disability Law, we know what it takes to win cases involving chronic, misunderstood conditions like Lyme disease. If you're unable to work because of Lyme disease, reach out for a free consultation today.