Well I am not in your specific situation. I am not from another country but I can answer your first question. To find out if you would be eligible for benefits unfortunately you have to apply for disability. That is the only help I can give you sorry. I wish you a ton of luck and think is is awesome that you up rooted so that your wife could be near her family. You are a true gentlemen. Again Good Luck.

Thanks i just hope i don't need to get benefits ever. But who knows what's around the corner, better to be prepared than surprised.

highlandmck, Welcome to the U.S.! :) (I know, it's been 10 years.) I lived in the U.K. for four years recently, and I was impressed how different the mindset was there as opposed to here in taking care of disabled people. Citizens and the government in the U.K. seem to want to support those with less means (of all types...elderly, disabled, and poor) and while people in the U.S. have compassion, I wouldn't say that government entitlement programs do. In the U.K., people talk about going on "benefits" without shame but in the U.S., there is very much a mindset that it is somehow not as acceptable to need or ask for help.

I know what I'm saying doesn't answer your question, but it was interesting for me to see such an obvious difference between the two countries.

I've had MS for 24+ years and after five years (19 years ago), I applied for disability. I couldn't pass any portion of a neurological exam and my neurologist rated my case of MS as "very severe", so I was sure I would get disability. But, the system is very much set up to deny people who really are in need. Because I had listed a job (on the disability application) I held once for a few months that involved using phones, they denied me disability saying that I could still do that job. I had almost no vision or hand eye coordination at that point, so I really couldn't have done the job using phones that I had done, but because they denied me, I took it as "the final answer" and didn't pursue it further.

From things I've read here on Daily Strength, the first application and exam is sort of like a weeding out process where they deny almost everyone and then wait to take applications seriously after the first one has been denied. But there is no rhyme or reason, or actual way to predict how your case will go. Everything depends on the doctor who examines you, what your medical records say, the information you provide on your application (which will be used against you if possible) and your age.

As far as being a permanent resident vs. being a U.S. citizen, I don't know, and in fact, I would keep the option of going east 3,500 miles open as a very real option in case things don't work out here. It is hard enough to get disability in the U.S. even if you are a citizen, but perhaps because you have contributed to Social Security through deductions on your income, then you would qualify. I know I am of no real help as I didn't answer your question of eligibility, but I wanted you to be aware of the bias the U.S. government seems to have against anyone requesting help... and I wanted to tell you about my applying for disability long ago and accepting the denial without even a fight. If you do qualify for assistance, be persistent. Good luck, highlandmck!! :)

One of my relatives is receiving benefits for having advanced MS. As someone mentioned you need to be qualified for disability first.

Good luck and I hope you will never have to go that way, at least not for a looong time.

Thanks all.
I wont pursue until absolutely necessary.
What stuck in my mind was that after the Lp i had to get my doc to put me on light duty for all of 5 days.
When our HR heard, first comment from them was oh if he cant lift 50lbs over a period of 90 days we would have to let him go as its in his job description.
So only a few at work know i have MS the ones i trust.HR does not and will not know they will be the last to find out.

I have been trying to find out how i have it why i have it and well anything else i can as to why it seems so different for me to others that have it. Only thing i can see for a reason as to having it is i am a Scotsman lived all my life up in that latitude of the world
No pain no hugs no tremors only leg arm and hand gets weak when used to much and then i have trouble walking with it but i if sit for 5 mins comes back to normal for another 10 mins.An i have yet to experience the issues lasting for more than a day in fact even lasting for a day.
Oh well as i told the doc it is what it is not your fault my fault or anyone else's fault it just is what it is.

I applied for Soc. Sec Disability and was approved with in 5 months, I was less disabled then than now. My doctors were interviewed by phone.

I had no problem I just wish I hadn't had to do it. Anyone with a longstanding documented case should be approved. But much of this is in how the application is handled..

You do have a unique siituation and should perhaps talk to an SSDI lawyer. There is an advocacy group called shine with local chapters also. I know that as a resident you are eligible for SS retirement is you work 10 yrs or longer paying into it.
Check with ms society also

Good Luck

Melanie