Is Trigeminal Neuralgia a Disability? How to Get Benefits
Yes, trigeminal neuralgia can qualify as a disability for Social Security disability insurance. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t name it directly, but how your symptoms affect daily life, how you’ve responded to treatment, and how strong your claim is all affect eligibility.
As a neurological disorder, trigeminal neuralgia can make simple things—eating, smiling, even brushing your teeth—feel unbearable. When pain hits without warning and nothing helps, it’s more than exhausting—it’s isolating and financially draining.
If this sounds like your experience, you're not alone. Keep reading to learn what you can do to get help.
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries feeling from your face to your brain. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause sudden, stabbing pain, usually on one side of the face. It can be associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or occur independently due to facial trauma or some surgeries.
The pain often feels like an electric shock, lasting seconds to minutes, and can be triggered by simple actions like brushing your teeth or a light breeze. For some, the medical condition stays stable. For others, it worsens over time with more frequent and constant pain that can spread across the face.
Types of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia falls into two main types: Type 1 and Type 2. The type you have impacts how the SSA evaluates your claim, so it’s essential to understand the difference.
Type 1 (TN1) - Classic Trigeminal Neuralgia
TN1 appears as sudden, severe bursts of facial pain that come and go over time. These short-term attacks typically last only a few seconds to minutes, but they can occur in rapid succession. The pain often feels sharp, stabbing, or electric, and is triggered by touch or routine activities like chewing or talking.
Type 2 (TN2) - Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia
TN2 causes more of a constant, burning, or aching pain. It may not feel as sharp as TN1, but it often lingers for hours or all day. TN2 is often harder to treat and doesn’t always respond well to the medications that help with TN1, making its debilitating pain especially draining.
Common Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t feel the same for everyone, but most people describe it as overwhelming and unpredictable. You might notice:
Sharp, electric shock-like pain in your face
Pain on one side of the face (most common)
Sudden attacks triggered by things like brushing your teeth, eating, or talking
Pain episodes that last seconds to minutes, often in waves
A dull, burning ache between attacks (more common in TN2)
Worsening symptoms over time, with more frequent or severe episodes
Because these symptoms can look like dental issues or sinus problems, trigeminal neuralgia is often misdiagnosed at first, complicating your disability claim timeline.
Treatment Options for Trigeminal Neuralgia
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for trigeminal neuralgia. However, there are treatments that may reduce pain and help you manage day-to-day life. You’ll likely need to try multiple treatments before receiving disability for your condition.
The main types of treatment include medications, surgery, and alternative therapies.
Medications
Medications are usually the first step in treating trigeminal neuralgia. These help calm overactive nerve signals or mask severe pain.
Your doctor may prescribe:
Anticonvulsants like carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, which help slow nerve firing
Muscle relaxants or tricyclic antidepressants for nerve-related pain and comorbid mental conditions
Pain relievers, although traditional opioids are usually not very effective for Trigeminal Neuralgia
It’s important to tell your health care providers how these medications affect you, both in terms of pain relief and side effects, since this information can help strengthen your disability case.
Surgical Options
If medications stop working or cause too many side effects, your care team may consider certain surgical interventions. Options include:
Microvascular decompression (MVD): A procedure that relieves pressure on the trigeminal nerve
Gamma Knife radiosurgery: A non-invasive treatment that targets the nerve with focused radiation
Rhizotomy: Procedures that intentionally damage part of the nerve to stop pain signals
Surgery is usually reserved for more severe cases where potential risks outweigh the rewards.
Other Therapies
Alternative and supportive treatments may not cure Trigeminal Neuralgia, but they can help manage symptoms and emotional stress:
Physical therapy for neck tension or muscle imbalance
Acupuncture or biofeedback for relaxation and pain management
Counseling or support groups to deal with the emotional impact of living with chronic pain
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Yes, you can qualify for disability benefits if trigeminal neuralgia prevents you from working full-time or carrying out basic daily tasks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t list trigeminal neuralgia by name in its Blue Book of qualifying conditions—but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Instead, the SSA will look at how your symptoms limit your ability to function. This includes whether it:
Keeps you from doing any kind of full-time work
Has lasted (or is expected to last) at least 12 months
Is supported by medical evidence, not just personal reports of pain
Criteria for Getting Disability Benefits With Trigeminal Neuralgia
Because trigeminal neuralgia doesn't have a Blue Book listing, your Social Security disability claim will likely be evaluated under what’s called a medical-vocational allowance. This process looks at:
Symptom Severity and Frequency: Are you having multiple episodes a day? Does pain strike without warning and interrupt your ability to focus or complete tasks? Do you suffer from mental impairment during attacks?
Daily Limitations: Can you sit at a desk for long periods? Can you speak clearly when pain hits? Are there days you can’t function at all?
Treatment Side Effects: Are medications causing drowsiness, dizziness, or other problems that interfere with your ability to work or perform daily activities?
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC): RFC shows what you can still do despite your painful condition. For example, could you work a very quiet, low-stress job, or are even those tasks too unpredictable due to your extreme pain?
The Role of Medical Evidence
What you say about your pain is important—but the SSA relies on medical documentation. To support your claim, you’ll need:
A diagnosis from neurologists or other medical professionals
Diagnostic tests (such as MRI or CT scans) ruling out other conditions
A detailed history of treatments you’ve tried, and how effective they were
Notes about how your condition limits your activities, work ability, and quality of life
The more thorough and up-to-date your medical records are, the stronger your case will be.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
Applying for disability benefits can feel like a full-time job in itself, but knowing what to expect can help make the process more manageable. Here's what you need to do to get started:
Step 1: Choose How You Want to Apply
You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income in one of three ways:
Online: Go to the SSA website and fill out the application there.
By phone: Call the SSA's phone number at 1-800-772-1213. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number: 1-800-325-0778.
In person: Schedule an appointment at your local SSA office.
Step 2: Gather the Information You’ll Need
To complete the application, you’ll need:
Personal Information
Your birth certificate or proof of birth
Social Security number
Marriage and divorce dates (if applicable)
Information about children or other dependents
Bank account details for direct deposit
Medical Information
Contact details for all doctors, clinics, and hospitals where you’ve received treatment
Treatment dates and provider names
Medications you're currently taking and who prescribed them
Test results from MRIs or CT scans
Complete medical history from your insurance company
Work History
Your employment history for the last 15 years
The type of work you’ve done and the skills involved
Any workers' compensation or similar non-SSD benefits you've received
Step 3: Submit Your Application and Wait
After you apply, it can take several months to get a disability determination. During this time, the SSA may contact you for more information or schedule a consultative medical exam. If denied, you'll have to enter the appeal process.
Get Help With Your Disability Claim
Applying for disability benefits with trigeminal neuralgia can feel frustrating—especially when you're already dealing with constant nerve pain. And unfortunately, many first-time applications are denied, not because someone doesn’t qualify, but because the paperwork wasn’t strong enough or key details were missing.
You don’t have to go through the application process alone. A disability lawyer can help you:
Organize your medical records
Communicate clearly with the SSA
Avoid common mistakes that lead to delays or denials
Represent you if your claim goes to the appeals process
At Impact Disability Law, we focus on helping people with real, disabling conditions get the support they need. If trigeminal neuralgia is making it impossible to work or live comfortably, reach out. We offer free case evaluations and can help you figure out the next steps.
The sooner you get started, the sooner we can help you move forward. Reach out today for a free consultation!