Can You Collect Disability For Arthritis

Impairment Listings For Individual Joints

SSA has specific impairment listings for different joints of the body the disease could attack. A number of these listings deal with a persons spine. These listings help disability examiners quickly approve cases for benefits if you meet the minimum requirements set out in the listings.

If you do not meet those requirements, there is another method to obtain approval for benefits. To accomplish this, you must be able to show the SSA your impairments are so severe they limit your ability to perform tasks required by jobs that you could otherwise qualify for. Examples of such impairments that might qualify you for benefit are being unable to sit for a long period of time, stand or walk for a distance, bend over, pick objects up, push or pull objects, carry objects, or manipulate objects.

Qualifying For Disability Benefits

The medical requirements are typically the same for adults to qualify for Social Security or SSI. You will need to demonstrate that the disability makes you unable to sustain substantial, gainful employment.

You can apply as soon as PsA makes it difficult or impossible to perform a job. While theres no requirement for you to have a disability for a certain amount of time before you apply, you will need to show that PsA will prevent you from working for at least 12 months.

More information on qualifying for Social Security and SSI with a PsA disability can be found in the Immune System Disorders or the Musculoskeletal System sections of the governments Disability Evaluation Under Social Security guidelines.

Consider Getting A Psychological Evaluation

Its not uncommon for people with severe arthritis to experience depression and anxiety, which can also limit their ability to work. If thats been true for you, including a psychological evaluation in your application is a must because it can be extremely helpful in obtaining benefits, Dr. Stein says.

While your doctor can report on your psychological symptoms, the information usually has more weight when a psychologist or psychiatrist presents it, he says.

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Chances Of Getting Disability Benefits For Arthritis

According to the federal government, 24% of the adult population of the U.S. have arthritis. More people claim it as the reason why they cannot work than any other cause of disability.

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis that is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may qualify for Social Security disability. An arthritis lawyer or disability advocate at London Disability can help you determine if your medical condition is severe enough to meet the criteria used by the Social Security Administration to determine if you have a disability that qualifies for SSD benefit.

Standards Needed For Claim Approval

Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration does not approve most initial claims for arthritis. To be approved, it is important to submit all the supporting evidence you have. During an initial assessment, the Disability Examiner will determine:

• Does your disease prevent you from working?
• Is your condition expected to last for at least one year from when it caused you to either stop working or reduce your work so that after payment of impairment-related work expenses , your gross wages or net self-employment is not at the level of substantial gainful activity ?
• Have you been getting treatment for at least 3 months? And if so, how are you responding to treatment?
• If you are currently working and earned at the SGA level, did you have impairment-related work expenses that dropped your earnings below that amount.
• Is the disease causing chronic pain and swelling and joint motion that makes it painful or restricted to a degree that based on your age, skills, previous jobs, mental capacity, and education are you incapable of working at a Heavy, Medium, Light, or Sedentary level?
• Are you incapable of performing work?

If all those questions show you have severe arthritis by Social Securitys standards and that you cannot work in any occupations that you could do if you didnt have medical limitation, you should be approved for benefits.

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What Can I Do To Make Working With Rheumatoid Arthritis Easier

As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, youre entitled to a number of workplace accommodations that can help you keep working. Depending on what you do for a living, your boss may be able to allow you to work a flexible schedule or telecommute.

You may also be able to limit the amount of time you walk or stand if you sit, taking more frequent breaks may be permitted. You can also ask about getting office items that are more arthritis-friendly, such as a phone with large buttons and a headset, an ergonomic keyboard and chair, and thicker, cushioned pens.

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Additional Support To Help With Living Costs

If youre on a low income or receiving certain benefits you may be able to get help with bills, daily living and travel expenses, such as:

• reduced train fares using a Disabled Persons Railcard, in Great Britain, or a SmartPass in Northern Ireland
• free or reduced travel on buses with a Disable Persons Bus Pass in Great Britain, or SmartPass in Northern Ireland
• if you cant walk far you can park in some restricted areas using the Blue Badge Parking Scheme in Great Britain, and Northern Ireland
• reduced phone and internet costs through BT Basic, or KCOM Flex packages if you live in East Riding or Hull
• Cold Weather Payment if the temperature in your area drops to zero degrees or below, for seven days in a row between November and April
• Disabled Facilities Grants if you have to make changes to your home because of your condition
• Discretionary Housing Payments if your council decides you need extra help with housing costs
• Energy Company Obligation Affordable Warmth from your energy provider to help reduce heating costs and repairs to your boiler

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Coping With Invisible Illness Stigma And Handicap Parking

There are a number of conditions where a patients source of disability is not visible to an observer, Dr. Fields says, including many cases of arthritis. The key issue is how these issues are affecting the patient rather than how they look to others.

Fatigue, for example, can be a reason you cant walk 200 feet without stopping even inflamed or damaged joints arent necessarily noticeable to others.

Unfortunately, this invisibility may mean others mistakenly think that people with arthritis or other kinds of chronic illness are abusing disabled parking spots.

I have gotten dirty looks, mean notes on my car, and people telling me that I should be ashamed of myself, Kimberly Delaney told us on FB. Although these comments are born out of ignorance, there are a few ways to handle them including not handling them at all. If people are judging me, I dont notice nor do I care, Pamela Middaugh Jones wrote.

Or you could use those moments as an opportunity to educate, such as printing out a sign that says, Not all disabilities are visible, and putting it in your car window. Although you should take caution with confrontation, some CreakyJoints members also suggested some witty comebacks.

My husband said if anyone should say anything, I should respond, I have medical conditions that cause severe pain and weakness. Would you like to trade with me? DS George-Jones told us.

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Can You Get Disability For Arthritis

Yes, you can get disability arthritis. In order to get disability for arthritis, your arthritis needs to be so severe that impacts your ability to work full time for at least year.

If you can no longer work because of your arthritis and your symptoms and medical records back up the listing for arthritis in the SSAs Blue Book, you will be able to get disability for arthritis.

In order to get disability for arthritis, you need to both meet the work and and medical requirements for Social Security disability. Since Social Security Disability Insurance is a program for workers who at one point could work full time, but now are unable to because of a disability, such as arthritis, the SSA requires a set number of work credits to quality for disability.

Work credits are calculated by your age and how long you have worked. As of 2022, you earn one work credit for every $1,510 you have earned. The maximum amount of work credits you can earn in a year is four work credits.

When you meet the work credits in order to get disability for arthritis, the SSA will then look at your disability application, as well as medical evidence you have provided to see if you medically qualify for disability with arthritis.

When you send in your disability application, the SSA will review it and see if it matches the listing that the SSA has for inflammatory arthritis.

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If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And It Has Prevented You From Working Full

Disability benefits are an important source of income for those who are unable to work. If you are not able to work due to accident or illness, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability or Long Term Disability benefits. If you have applied for benefits and been denied, contact the attorneys at Bemis, Roach and Reed for a free consultation. Call 512-454-4000 and get help NOW.

What If My Arthritis Ssd Application Is Denied

Applicants may appeal the agencys denial of benefits, but this can add time to the process. Many of these initial applications are denied by the agency, which can prove to be very frustrating for those that depend upon these benefits.

Get help today! If your Social Security Disability claim for arthritis has been denied, that doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Reach out to Adler Firm, PLLC today for expert representation.

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Listing 102 Joint Dysfunction

If your arthritis has caused major dysfunction of any of your joints, you may be automatically eligible for disability under Listing 1.02. To qualify under Listing 1.02 you must prove that your arthritis has caused some type of deformity, such as excess boniness, misalignment, or permanent shortening of a joint, with chronic pain and stiffness that prevents you from using your joint fully. You must have x-rays or other images of the joint that show the joint space narrowing, bony destruction, or ankylosis of the joints. In addition, you have to have arthritis in either:

• the hip, knee, or ankle that causes significant difficulty walking, or
• the shoulder, elbow, or wrist/hand that prevents you from doing activities like holding a pen, typing or lifting.

If you suspect you would qualify under this listing, ask your doctor if your x-rays show a type of deformity mentioned above.

Disability Benefits For Veterans

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you’re on disability from your service in the Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy.

You may get social assistance payments from:

• your province or territory
• your First Nation

These payments will depend on your household income, savings and investments.

You may also be eligible for health-related benefits from your province or territory. These benefits may include benefits that help cover the cost of:

• medications
• medical aids or devices

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Social Security Disability Benefits And Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability. How does a person suffering from arthritis qualify for Social Security disability benefits? According to Jim Allsup, the Social Security Administration uses a process called sequential evaluation to determine who will receive disability benefits. Mr. Allsup is president and CEO of Allsup Inc. Since 1984, Allsup claims his company has:

• Successfully helped over 300,000 people nationwide receive their entitled disability benefits.
• Achieved a 90% award rate.

Patients who have been helped by Allsup often suffer from rheumatic conditions and musculoskeletal diseases such as:

The Disability Application Process Can Be Daunting

Applying for disability can be a detailed process. Its common for people applying for the federal program to be denied after their first application. But its possible to appeal and to ultimately get approved for disability benefits. The most important takeaway is that you have to be a self-advocate with patience and persistence, says Jessica Boles, a licensed social worker and a patient advocate and community outreach manager for CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation, two resources for people living with arthritis and other chronic illnesses, respectively.

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Receiving Disability Benefits For Arthritis

Do you suffer from arthritis? Is it affecting your ability to work a full-time job? Have you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings for the past 5 out of 10 years? If you answered yes to these questions you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Contact South Florida Social Security Disability Attorney for help submitting your claim.

A Guide To Disability Benefits And Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that can be particularly debilitating and painful, causing intense flare-ups that cause joints to be become inflamed.

This can make mobility difficult sometimes impossible. Not surprisingly, that can affect the ability to work, no matter your profession.

Although people with PsA can have long periods of remission, with few symptoms or even none, the unpredictability of the condition could require extended periods away from a job, or hinder your ability to look for employment.

According to a 2016 , one-third of people with PsA reported missing work because of their disease, and the condition impacted their ability to work full-time.

Disability insurance may be able to replace some of that income.

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The Next Steps To Take

Statistically, your best chance of having a Social Security Disability case approved because of arthritis comes during your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

During this hearing, you will be allowed to have representation, and will also be allowed to make your case in person regarding why your arthritic condition keeps you from being able to work. You will also be allowed to bring witnesses who can testify on your behalf regarding the effects your condition has had on your ability to work.

How The Ssa Categorizes Arthritis

The Social Security Administration has a set of criteria that it uses to determine whether or not someone qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits.

These criteria are referred to as “Blue Book Listings” and these Listings are what the Administration uses to approve or deny someone for Social Security Disability benefits.

Arthritis is among the disabilities in the Blue Book Listings that qualify a person for Social Security Disability benefits, but it is important to understand that even if you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you do not automatically qualify for disability.

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Using An Rfc To Qualify For Ssd Benefits With Ra

In some cases, the Social Security Administration will not be able to confirm that your condition qualifies as a disability, but you might still be unable to work. You will need to have your physician fill out a Residual Function Capacity form to certify how much work, if any, you are capable of performing given your condition.

The RFC is crucial when it comes to applying for benefits because it is a determination of the maximum amount of work you are capable of performing, and since your doctor is the one who certifies it, the SSA can rely on these findings to make their decision.

The SSA will decide whether your condition would allow you to work in a different job, or perhaps with accommodations, or if work of any kind is out of the question.

Your doctor is your greatest ally when it comes to filling out your RFC form. While your doctor cannot inflate your symptoms, your doctor is able to describe how you are actually doing, which is something that the Blue Book cannot do.

Your doctor has examined you and can see if you struggle to stand up or are unable to grasp pens and pencils, or if you are having adverse reactions to medications that you are taking.

Make sure you talk with your doctor early on about your intention to file for disability benefits so that your doctor can keep notes that will help him or her to fill out the RFC form in a timely manner.

Listing 1409 Inflammatory Arthritis

If you dont qualify for disability under any of the above listings, you may qualify under Listing 14.09, Inflammatory arthritis . To meet Listing 14.09, you must provide objective medical evidence that your arthritis has resulted in the following:

• Swelling or deformity of:
• your hip, knee or ankle joints that causes extreme interference with your ability to walk on your own, or
• your shoulder, elbow or wrist/hand that makes it difficult to take care of yourself and perform your day-to-day activities.
• Swelling or deformity of your hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, or ankle/footwith:
• associated disease in at least two of your organs or body systems, with one organ or body system affected more than minimally, and
• at least two of following: severe fatigue, malaise, weight loss, or fever.

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A Disability Insurance Attorney Can Help

An experienced New York long term disability insurance lawyer can make all the difference in getting your disability benefits. You can choose to file your application or appeal on your own, but your odds of success are significantly greater when you have a knowledgeable long term disability insurance lawyer on your side. The forms provided by the insurance company are inadequate, and deliberately so. They do not have nearly enough room for you or your doctors to describe your situation completely. If you limit yourself to these pre-printed forms, the insurance company will deny your claim based on a lack of evidence.

Riemer Hess can restore some balance to the process by helping you and your doctors tell your whole story. We know what evidence the insurance company will look for how to efficiently gather that evidence and how to package that evidence in a way that will resonate with the insurance company.