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Wading through the Social Security Disability Benefits process feels like navigating a bureaucratic labyrinth—one that becomes even more daunting when you're dealing with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. From chronic muscle weakness to mobility challenges, CMT sufferers face enough hurdles without fighting government red tape.

This episode cuts through the confusion, offering a specialized roadmap for CMT patients seeking disability benefits. We break down the two distinct pathways—SSDI (tied to your work history and FICA contributions) and SSI (needs-based with strict financial requirements)—and explain critical differences in waiting periods, payment amounts, and healthcare access. While SSDI requires five months before your first payment and a staggering two-year wait for Medicare, SSI offers immediate Medicaid eligibility despite its lower monthly payments and tight asset restrictions.

The heart of our discussion examines the five-step evaluation process used by Social Security, revealing why initial denial rates approach a shocking 90%. We walk through each step: the earnings threshold, severity requirements, medical listings, past work assessment, and the "mythical, hypothetical" test of whether any job exists nationwide that you could theoretically perform. For CMT specifically, we examine how the condition gets evaluated under peripheral neuropathy listings and why most cases win or lose at steps four and five.

Most crucially, we share the documentation strategies that transform denial into approval. Beyond diagnosis, you need objective medical evidence translating symptoms into functional limitations—EMG studies, gait analysis, and the all-important Residual Functional Capacity form that connects your medical reality to work capabilities. We explore how age transforms approval chances through the "grid rules," why consistent medical records matter, and how attorneys working on contingency can dramatically improve your odds at the critical hearing stage.

Ready to tackle the system? Listen now, take notes, and prepare to advocate effectively for the benefits you deserve.

Learn more at: https://www.hnf-cure.org/cmt/patient-resources/legal-rights-and-benefits/

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