Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall physical health and mental well-being. The effects of sleep disorders can often lead to difficulties keeping pace with your day-to-day life.
While sleep disorders could be interfering with your ability to be fully present at work, having one won’t automatically qualify you for disability.
In the past, sleep disorders have met the qualifications, but the current requirements for the Social Security Administration (SSA) don’t include any sleep disorders.
However! It’s common for some sleep disorders to cause other conditions that could qualify for disability. For example, chronic insomnia is known to cause heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and depression — all of which could qualify for disability under the right conditions.
Navigating the disability application process can be challenging; it may be a good idea to discuss your condition with your primary healthcare team or a disability lawyer to see if they believe you meet the disability qualifications.
You can also learn more about how to apply at the SSA’s website.
Keep learning about disability
Still have questions about disability and where you fit in? Check out these other Healthline articles:
- What to Know About Medicare Disability Coverage
- How to Prepare for Your Social Security Disability Psychological Assessment
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Treatment, Diagnosis, Disability, and More
- Does Depression Make You Eligible for Disability?
- When Is Heart Failure a Disability?
- Am I Disabled? How to Talk with Others About Your Disability
If not sleeping well is affecting your everyday life, there are lots of organizations and support systems to help you beyond disability. You might try seeking help from:
- America Academy of Sleep Medicine has a database of support organizations for individual sleep disorders.
- National Sleep Foundation advocates for those with sleep disorders and provides education on the latest research.
- Talking with a therapist can help ddress the mental health difficulties that can arise from sleep disorders and help improve your sleep habits.
- Healthline’s Sleep Disorder Hub is packed full of helpful articles on the latest treatment plans for those with difficulty sleeping.
- Work accommodations may be available for you, even if you do not meet disability requirements. Talk with your manager or HR to find ways of allowing you to bring your best self to work.