SSA Listing 11.00

Neurological Disorders: Social Security Disability Listings

How Does Social Security Evaluate Neurological Disorders Like Epilepsy, MS and Stroke?

For a neurological disorders disability claim, Social Security uses section 11.00, which covers epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsonian syndrome, ALS, spinal cord disorders, traumatic brain injury and more. Most of these listings ask for either an extreme loss of movement in two limbs, or a marked limit in physical functioning plus a marked limit in one area of mental functioning. Epilepsy is measured by how often seizures happen despite treatment. If you don't meet a listing, SSA looks at what work you can still do. Start with the disability requirements.

Reviewed by Michael Rupe ·October 1, 2026

An older man using a quad cane walks along a brick path under a row of arches in a park — Photo: beytlik / Pexels

What Neurological Disorders Disability Listings Cover

Section 11.00 of Social Security’s Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book) covers disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. SSA evaluates epilepsy, ALS, coma or persistent vegetative state, and disorders that cause disorganized movement, weakness in the throat and face muscles that control breathing, swallowing and speech, communication problems, or a mix of physical and mental limits, such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

One boundary matters: if your neurological condition causes only mental limits, or you have a separate mental condition it didn’t cause, SSA evaluates that under mental disorders (12.00).

The Two Main Tests in Section 11.00

Most neurological listings use one or both of these tests.

Disorganization of motor function. Your condition interferes with two limbs (both legs, both arms, or one of each) so much that you have an extreme limitation in standing up from a seated position, balancing while standing or walking, or using your arms and hands. “Extreme” means you can’t do it without another person’s help or a device like a walker, two crutches or two canes. For arms, it means losing function in both to the point that work tasks are very seriously limited.

Marked physical plus marked mental limitation. Your condition seriously limits your physical functioning and also seriously limits one of four mental areas: understanding, remembering or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating, persisting or maintaining pace; or adapting or managing yourself. SSA says “marked” is the fourth point on a five-point scale, and it does not mean you must be in bed, a hospital or a nursing home. Fatigue and pain documented in your records can count.

What SSA Looks for in Common Neurological Listings

Listing	What SSA looks for
11.02 Epilepsy	Seizures at set frequencies despite 3 months of prescribed treatment (see below)
11.04 Stroke	Aphasia making speech ineffective for 3 consecutive months, or either main test, judged at least 3 months after the stroke
11.06 Parkinsonian syndrome	Either main test, despite 3 months of prescribed treatment
11.08 Spinal cord disorders	Complete loss of function, or disorganized motor function; total cord transection is approved right away
11.09 Multiple sclerosis	Disorganized motor function in two limbs, or marked physical plus marked mental limitation
11.10 ALS	Diagnosis established by clinical and lab findings

How Epilepsy Is Measured

SSA’s listing 11.02 looks for one of these patterns, each despite following prescribed treatment:

generalized tonic-clonic seizures (loss of consciousness with convulsions) at least once a month for 3 consecutive months;
dyscognitive seizures (altered awareness without convulsions, such as staring or lip smacking) at least once a week for 3 consecutive months;
tonic-clonic seizures at least once every 2 months for 4 consecutive months, plus a marked limit in physical functioning or one mental area;
dyscognitive seizures at least once every 2 weeks for 3 consecutive months, plus a marked limit in one area.

SSA counts several seizures in one 24-hour period as one. The counting period can’t start until a month after treatment begins. SSA needs at least one detailed description of a typical seizure from someone who saw it, preferably a medical professional. It doesn’t require an EEG or blood drug levels. A seizure diary kept by you and your family helps.

Evidence SSA Asks for

Per the 11.00 introduction, SSA wants your medical history, exam findings, lab tests and imaging such as MRI, CT or EEG, plus your treatment and how you responded. It also considers non-medical evidence: statements from you and others about your limits, daily activities and efforts to work.

SSA will try to get your existing test results but won’t pay for tests that are invasive, risky, complex or expensive. For epilepsy, Parkinsonian syndrome and myasthenia gravis, show that you followed prescribed treatment for 3 consecutive months.

SSA's Neurological Disorders Listings (11.00)

SSA listings in section 11.00
Listing	Name
11.02	Epilepsy
11.04	Vascular insult to the brain
11.05	Benign brain tumors
11.06	Parkinsonian syndrome
11.07	Cerebral palsy
11.08	Spinal cord disorders
11.09	Multiple sclerosis
11.10	Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
11.11	Post-polio syndrome
11.12	Myasthenia gravis
11.13	Muscular dystrophy
11.14	Peripheral neuropathy
11.17	Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system, such as Huntington's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, and spinocerebellar degeneration
11.18	Traumatic brain injury
11.20	Coma or persistent vegetative state
11.22	Motor neuron disorders other than ALS

For children, SSA uses section 111.00 (Neurological Disorders), with 14 listings. See childhood conditions.

From SSA's Listing of Impairments (ssa.gov), checked October 2, 2026.

If You Don’t Meet a Neurological Listing

SSA first checks medical equivalence: whether your condition is at least as severe and long-lasting as a listing. If not, it assesses your residual functional capacity (RFC), the most you can still do despite your limits.

That RFC drives steps four and five of SSA’s five-step process. Step four asks whether you can do your past work. Step five weighs your RFC with your age, education and work experience to decide whether you can adjust to other work. At step one, earning over $1,690 a month in 2026 (the non-blind substantial gainful activity level) ends the claim. The disability requirements guide covers each step, and the SSDI and SSI guides explain the two programs.

Compassionate Allowances for Neurological Conditions

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are conditions that by definition meet SSA’s standards, and SSA says they primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders and rare childhood disorders. Neurological entries on SSA’s list include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Adult-Onset Huntington Disease, Malignant Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Degeneration, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) - Adult, Friedreich’s Ataxia (FRDA), Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Stiff Person Syndrome, Progressive Bulbar Palsy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - Adult.

ALS gets extra help. With SSDI approval on or after July 23, 2020, there is no 5-month waiting period, and Medicare generally starts the first month you’re eligible for disability benefits instead of after 24 months. See Medicare for people on disability. You apply the usual way: see how to apply.

Children: Section 111.00

Children’s claims use section 111.00. It covers epilepsy, coma or persistent vegetative state, and disorders that cause disorganized movement, weakness of the muscles for breathing and swallowing, or communication impairment. Childhood listings include 111.07 cerebral palsy, 111.09 communication impairment and 111.21 multiple sclerosis. A disorder that affects both physical and mental functioning is evaluated under SSA’s functional equivalence rules. See SSI for children and the childhood conditions guide.

Work Accommodations for Epilepsy and MS

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) lists changes that help many people keep working.

For epilepsy, JAN suggests flicker-free monitors and natural or full-spectrum lighting, recovery time after a seizure, rubber matting and padded edges, a private rest area, modified attendance policies, leave during medication changes, straight shifts instead of rotating shifts, and non-driving duties or carpooling.

For multiple sclerosis, JAN suggests rest breaks, a flexible schedule and telework for fatigue, scooters, grab bars and stair lifts for balance, cooling clothing for heat sensitivity, and written instructions, reminders and screen magnification. The workplace accommodations guide explains how to ask.

Your Next Step

Check your options with the free disability eligibility screener. If SSA denies your claim, you have 60 days from receiving the notice to appeal; the appeals guide walks through each level. Compare other body systems on the conditions page, including congenital disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Get Disability for Epilepsy?

Yes, if your seizures meet listing 11.02 or limit you enough at steps four and five. Listing 11.02 counts seizures that happen despite 3 consecutive months of following prescribed treatment, for example generalized tonic-clonic seizures at least once a month for 3 consecutive months. SSA requires at least one detailed description of a typical seizure from someone who saw it.

Is There a Waiting Period for ALS?

No. People approved for SSDI with ALS on or after July 23, 2020 have no 5-month waiting period, and Medicare generally starts the first month you are eligible for disability benefits rather than after 24 months. ALS is also a Compassionate Allowance. See Medicare for people on disability.

Does SSA Count Seizures if I Missed Medication?

SSA does not count seizures that happen while you are not following prescribed treatment without good reason. It may find good reason if, for example, the treatment is very risky for you, or you can't afford it and no free community resources are available.

How Long After a Stroke Can I Apply?

You can apply right away. SSA generally needs evidence from at least 3 months after the stroke to judge lasting motor or functional effects, and it may hold a decision until then, though some claims can be approved sooner.

Are Psychogenic Seizures Evaluated Under Epilepsy?

No. SSA evaluates psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and pseudoseizures under the mental disorders body system, 12.00. See the mental disorders guide.

Other Body Systems in SSA's Listings

This page explains SSA's published rules. It isn't medical or legal advice; SSA decides each claim from your records.