Is Somatic Symptom Disorder a Disability?

If you have somatic symptom disorder and are unable to work due to your condition, you can qualify for Social Security disability benefits. More than 30% of disability recipients receive benefits due to mental disorders. The Social Security Administration (SSA) classifies somatic symptom disorder under this category.

If you have somatic symptom disorder, read on to learn if you might qualify for disability benefits. We'll explain how the SSA defines somatic symptom disorder, outline the eligibility criteria, and help you determine your next steps.

What is somatic symptom disorder?

Somatic symptom disorder is a mental health condition where a person becomes overly concerned with physical symptoms, even though there is no medical cause. People with this disorder tend to have strong behavioral and emotional responses to those symptoms. In somatic syndrome disorder, a person's underlying anxiety about symptoms can disrupt daily functioning.

Is somatic symptom disorder a disability?

Yes, the SSA considers somatic symptom disorder a disability if it prevents a person from being able to work. The SSA lists somatic symptom disorder in the Blue Book, a resource of qualifying conditions, under mental disorders (Section 12.07).

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a law passed in 1990 prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities, also views somatic symptom disorder as a disability. It considers somatic symptom disorder a disability if it seriously limits a person’s ability to work and engage in other life activities.

Somatic symptom disorder symptoms

Common symptoms of somatic symptom disorder include:

• Anxiety about physical symptoms

• Believing symptoms aren't treated seriously and that test results are inaccurate

• Devoting a substantial amount of time and energy tending to health concerns

• Perception that mild symptoms indicate a serious illness

• Seeking treatments from multiple doctors simultaneously

Additionally, people with somatic symptom disorder can consistently experience one or more physical symptoms, though these symptoms may change and come and go. These symptoms may include: 

• Abnormal motor movement

• Abnormal sensations and pain

• Fatigue and weakness

• Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Pseudoneurological symptoms, such as blindness or deafness

• Pseudoseizures

• Shortness of breath

Can you get disability for somatic symptom disorder?

Yes, you can receive disability benefits for somatic symptoms disorder. To qualify, you will need to prove to the SSA that you cannot work as a result of your somatic symptom disorder.

It can be easier to qualify for disability benefits if you apply with multiple conditions. If you have any of the following conditions commonly seen alongside somatic symptom disorder, be sure to include them in your application:

• Anxiety

• Borderline personality disorder

• Depression

You can learn more about these conditions and others by checking out our main guide on conditions that qualify for disability.

How to get disability for somatic symptom disorder

To qualify for disability with somatic symptom disorder, you must prove to the SSA that you are unable to work as a result of your condition. You will need to provide documentation and medical records.

In its listing, the SSA outlines the following qualification criteria for somatic symptom disorder:

You must have medical documentation of at least one of the following:

• Symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function that aren't explained by another medical or mental disorder

• One or more bodily symptoms that are distressing and about which you experience excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors

• A preoccupation with having or getting a serious illness, though significant symptoms are not present.

Additionally, you must have either extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:

• Understanding, remembering, or applying information

• Interacting with others

• Concentrating, seeing a task through, or keeping up

• Adapting or managing yourself appropriately

4 questions to ask yourself before applying

Before filling out your disability benefits application, assessing your likelihood of qualifying is helpful. That way, you'll have a better understanding of your odds. If you can answer “yes” to most or all of the following questions, you have a good chance of winning benefits:

1. Do you experience symptoms not explainable by another medical or mental condition?

2. Do you have excessive anxiety about symptoms you experience that leads to unusual behavior or thoughts and drives you to seek extensive medical care?

3. Are you preoccupied over whether you have or are going to get a serious illness, though you have no major symptoms of that illness?

4. Do you experience cognitive-related limitations, such as difficulty remembering or understanding, interacting with others, or staying focused?

My somatic symptom disorder meets the criteria. Now what?

If your somatic symptom disorder meets the SSA’s criteria, the next step is to apply for disability benefits. If you’re unsure, the following guidance can help you determine what might make the most sense for you to do at this time:

• Apply now if:

  • You have medical records and documentation supporting your condition and associated symptoms.

  • You can no longer work due to the severity of your somatic symptom disorder.

• Consider waiting and applying later if:

  • You have not yet stopped working, even if you may need to eventually.

  • Your symptoms are moderate, or they may be improving with treatment.

• Probably don’t apply if:

  • You earn over $1,620 per month (the maximum income limit for 2025).

  • You can manage your somatic symptom disorder to continue working in some capacity.

What type of benefits should I apply for?

There are two types of disability benefits you can apply for if you have somatic symptom disorder: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSDI is for people who have worked and paid taxes for at least five out of the last 10 years. SSI is for those who have not worked much or at all and have a low income and few assets, including savings and other valuable property.

While SSDI and SSI include health insurance (Medicare for SSDI and Medicaid for SSI), ​​there are important differences between SSDI and SSI.

How much is a disability check for somatic symptom disorder?

An average disability check for somatic symptom disorder is around $703.92 per month. Depending on the specifics of your situation, however, you may receive more or less than that each month — as of 2025, the maximum amount you can make for somatic symptom disorder with SSDI is $4,018 per month, while for SSI, it is $967 per month.

These upper limits will apply regardless of your qualifying condition or how many conditions you use to apply for benefits. Instead, your benefit amount will depend on your work history or sources of income.

To better gauge the amount you might receive each month, here's a more in-depth look at how much people make on SSDI and SSI.

What if my somatic symptom disorder doesn’t meet the criteria?

If you're unsure your somatic symptom disorder checks off the SSA's criteria to qualify for benefits, you can still choose to apply. Remember, you need to show in your application that your condition prevents you from working.

Even those who meet the criteria may not have a quick path towards securing benefits. The SSA only approves about 20% of initial applicants. You can appeal the initial denial, and your chances of winning a disability appeal improve in the appeals process.

Get help with your disability application

Take our two-minute quiz to see if you qualify. If you want to learn more about applying for benefits, Atticus has resources outlining each step of the process.

A member of our team can offer guidance on the right next steps for you. If you’d like, Atticus can introduce you to a disability lawyer to help you navigate the application process. There is no upfront cost to working with a lawyer—you only pay a one-time fee when you win benefits.

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Related resources:

Qualifying for Disability: Everything You Should Know

By Jackie Jakab

Is it Hard to Get Disability for Mental Illness? (Yes, But This Can Help)

By Sydney Hershenhorn