Is Sleep Apnea a Disability? How to Get Benefits for Sleep Apnea

• Michael Burry
• Jun 09, 2025

If you have sleep apnea, you may qualify for benefits if your medical condition is impacting your work. In 2022, the percentage of disability recipients who qualified for disability benefits with respiratory disorders was 2.7%. 

The SSA has included sleep apnea as one of the respiratory disorders. To qualify for benefits, you need to show evidence that your medical condition is deteriorating and preventing you from working. In this article, you will learn the eligibility requirements and how to proceed with the disability claim for sleep apnea.

Is Sleep Apnea A Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not specifically list sleep apnea as a disability. However, if your sleep apnea is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may be considered disabled. To qualify for disability benefits, you must meet the SSA’s definition of disability.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

People dealing with sleep apnea may have some of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sleepy during the day
• Decreased ability to think or concentrate
• Lack of moisture in the mouth
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Noisy breathing while sleeping
• Changes in emotional state
• Headaches after waking up

Types Of Sleep Apnea That May Qualify For Disability Benefits

There are mainly three types of sleep apnea that may qualify for benefits: 

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Complex sleep apnea (CompSA)

However, it will vary depending on the severity and other factors, whether or not you qualify for the benefits or not.

How Can You Get Disability For Sleep Apnea?

If you have complications from sleep apnea and cannot engage in day-to-day activities, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits. The application process may take a long time and can be challenging. Sleep apnea is mentioned in section 3.01 in the SSA’s Blue Book.

If you have multiple disabling conditions, you may qualify automatically for the benefits. For instance, someone with sleep apnea might also have:

•  Congestive heart failure
• PCOS or other hormonal disorders
• Hypoxemia
•  Asthma or other lung diseases
•  Pulmonary vasoconstriction
•  Stroke
•  Type 2 diabetes

Veterans may qualify for VA disability benefits.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Applying for Sleep Apnea Disability Benefits:

• Has my sleep apnea been medically diagnosed, and have I explored different treatment options?
• Is My Condition Severe Enough to Limit My Ability to Work?
• Am I following prescribed treatments like CPAP  (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy?
• Do I have supporting medical records to prove sleep apnea disability?
• Does Sleep Apnea Cause or Worsen Other Health Issues?

Eligibility Criteria To Get Disability With Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea may make you eligible for benefits if you prove that your medical condition prevents you from holding employment. Moreover, medical records and other treatment records may make your sleep apnea disability claim stronger.

• The medical evidence includes documentation of the severity of symptoms, physical exam findings, pulmonary function tests, imaging results, and other lab test reports. 

• Treatment reports may include details of your responses and descriptions of the treatment you received. 

Furthermore, the SSA will also analyze your medical condition based on pulmonary function tests, whether your forced vital capacity (FVC) is less or equal to ideal values according to your age, height, and gender.  

• Other proofs, including FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver), are equal to or less than the ideal values according to the SSA based on your height, age, and gender.

• Chronic impairment proof stating your approved measurement of your gas exchange. 

• Proof that you have been experiencing exacerbations or complications based on your sleep apnea. For this, you require three hospitalizations in at least 30 days, and you must have stayed for at least 48 hours. 

How To Proceed If I Meet the Sleep Apnea Criteria?

If you meet the sleep apnea eligibility criteria of the SSA, you may begin the application process as soon as you can. Whether you qualify for benefits for sleep apnea depends on the severity of your condition and your individual circumstances. You must keep in mind the following guidelines while applying:

• Apply now if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and your medical condition is not allowing you to work.

• Consider applying later if your symptoms are mild or moderate, and you can hold a job and earn.

• You must not apply if you are earning more than $1,550 and your symptoms are not severe enough to prevent you from engaging in day-to-day activities.

How Much is a Disability Check for Sleep Apnea?

The average sleep apnea disability check is $1,356.10 per month. However, the maximum monthly amount for sleep apnea in 2024 is $3,822 for SSDI and $943 for SSI. These limits apply without considering whether you apply for one or more conditions. In addition, the disability amount will depend on sources of income for SSI and work history for SSDI.

To learn more about the benefits associated with sleep apnea, you can refer to our extensive guide discussing the payments people collect from SSDI and SSI.

How To Proceed If I Do Not Meet The Sleep Apnea Criteria?

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria of the SSA for sleep apnea, you must apply under the medical-vocational allowance (MVA). You need to prove that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Individuals may also qualify for disability based on related sleep disorders, mental deficits, or mental health issues. Mental issues, such as cognitive or behavioral problems, can be documented to support a disability claim. 

Treating sleep apnea and related conditions is important for both your health and supporting your disability claim. A disability attorney may also help you to file an appeal if your initial application gets rejected. In 80% of initial application cases, the claim gets denied owing to various factors such as misleading information or lack of medical records. 

Get Help Applying for Sleep apnea Disability Benefits

You may be eligible for disability benefits if sleep apnea is affecting your ability to work or carry out basic activities. Unfortunately, the application process can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, working with a disability attorney would be beneficial. They will assist you in every step, whether it is obtaining medical documentation, completing the necessary paperwork, or dealing with appeals.