Disability

Here you will find important information on many forms of assistance for those who have become either partially or fully disabled due to chronic illness and must, therefore, reduce their work hours/tasks or stop working altogether. This can be a complex and difficult process, but there are many programs that can help.

The Disability Decision:

For those deciding to reduce their hours, make changes in their job description, or stop working altogether, we provide some guidance and reassurance.

Job Accommodations:

For those who can continue to work part-time with reduced hours and/or responsibilities, state and federal laws require many employers to provide disabled patients with reasonable job accommodations.

Disability Insurance Programs:

For those who are too sick to work, there are a variety of disability insurance programs that provide income assistance:

Health Insurance:

For those who lose their employee medical insurance due to disability, governments and private organizations offer medical insurance programs:

Medicare
Medicaid
COBRA
Patient Assistance Programs for prescription drugs

Housing and Other Essential Needs:

For those who need further resources and support, federal, state, and local governments, as well as private agencies, provide various types of assistance:

Resources

The following are general disability resources. Please see each subsection for specific resources.

State and Local Disability Commissions—These agencies assist disabled persons with a variety of resources and programs. Many cities and towns have disability commissions, social service departments, or civil rights commissions.

The Massachusetts Office on Disability can provide information, referral and advocacy for a wide variety of issues and problems facing disabled individuals. The Office provides direct advocacy for individuals who are having problems obtaining services from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or who are suffering various forms of job discrimination. Information, referral and advice are provided for many other problems, including housing, medical assistance, transportation, independent living, and other needed services.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s major function is to provide vocational rehabilitation services to the disabled. Those determined to be disabled by the Commission may receive extensive training, education, rehabilitation and support services for future employment more compatible with their disability. The Commission also offers homecare services to assist the disabled.

The Disability Law Center in Massachusetts is a state-wide legal advocacy, information, and referral agency for individuals with disabilities. The Center does not usually provide individual legal representation, but lawyers at the Center can provide answers to difficult technical and legal questions concerning the Social Security Disability programs. The Center may be able to assist those denied unemployment compensation because they can only work part-time due to disability. The Center can also advise on the legal right to job accommodations.

Disability Secrets has a mission to demystify the legal process of claiming disability benefits and workers’ compensation by providing clear, accurate, and up-to-date information. Their website has over 1000 articles on understanding eligibility criteria and making a claim.

The Massachusetts Association for the Chemically Injured is a non-profit statewide support, education, and referral organization for people with multiple chemical sensitivities and those concerned about chemical injury.

See also Long COVID and Social Security Disability

The MassME Disability Handbook: More detailed information on applying for Social Security Disability is found in the Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Disability Handbook: How to Obtain Social Security Benefits if You Have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) (PDF).