Arthritis is a leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 24 million Americans are impacted by this inflammatory condition. With more than 100 types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions, symptoms like chronic pain, stiffness, and limited mobility can seriously interfere with your ability to work and perform daily activities.
If you’re struggling to maintain employment because of arthritis, you might be wondering whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplementary Security Income (SSI). It’s possible, but obtaining a diagnosis isn’t enough to get these benefits alone. You must also show that your arthritis is so severe that you cannot work, either due to pain or limited movement. Arthritis severity differs by case, so it’s crucial that your treating physician documents your diagnosis and the ways your condition impedes you and makes work impossible.
Can You Receive Disability for Arthritis?
Generally speaking, arthritis is a physical condition characterized by an inflammation of the joints and the surrounding tissues. The condition most often affects the hands, knees, back, hips, and spine. It can occur naturally or flare up for the first time following an injury.
Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Coordination issues
These symptoms can make it difficult to sit, stand, walk, lift objects, or perform repetitive movements, all of which are frequently necessary in many jobs. Your chances of being approved for benefits increase if your arthritis is untreatable, severely debilitating, persistent, and/or prevents you from earning a living for at least one year.
Types of Arthritis that May Qualify for Disability
The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the membranes surrounding your joints, resulting in inflammation. This kind of arthritis is most commonly found in women between the ages of 40 and 60, smokers, and those with a family history of RA. If you have RA, you will need to prove that your joint movement is limited and that you experience persistent pain and swelling.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage, typically due to aging, overuse, or injury. It’s most common in weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and spine, and can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. To qualify for disability benefits based on osteoarthritis, you’ll need medical evidence showing that your condition causes significant functional limitations, such as difficulty standing, walking, or using your hands.
In addition to RA and osteoarthritis, other types of arthritis may also qualify for disability benefits if they severely impact your ability to work. These include:
- Psoriatic arthritis: An inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis that can affect both skin and joints.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: A type of spinal arthritis that can lead to stiffness and fusion of the vertebrae.
- Gout: A form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, severe joint pain, often in the feet or toes.
- Reactive arthritis: Joint inflammation triggered by an infection elsewhere in the body.
What are the Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis?
When applying for SSDI or SSI due to arthritis, there are two primary ways the Social Security Administration may determine that you qualify for benefits: by meeting a Blue Book listing or by being approved through a medical vocational allowance.
Meeting a Blue Book Listing
The SSA’s Blue Book is a guide that outlines specific medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability benefits if you meet all the required criteria. Inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions, is listed under Section 14.09 of the Blue Book.
You may qualify if you have:
- Persistent inflammation or deformity in one or more major joints
- Inflammation of the spine and/or the surrounding organs
- Inflammation or deformity of joints, along with organ systems
- Arthritis that affects both joints and internal organ systems
- Repeated flare-ups that limit your ability to complete daily activities, interact socially, or move independently
You may still qualify for benefits on the basis of your arthritis, even if you do not meet the Blue Book Listing, if you meet the criteria for a medical vocational allowance. In instances of a medical vocational allowance, Social Security determines that, although your arthritis does not rise to the level of the Blue Book listing, it is severe enough that you should qualify for benefits anyway.
Before Social Security can make this determination, you’ll need a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment from your doctor or the SSA. This outlines what you can and cannot do physically, detailing things like how long you can sit, stand, walk, lift, or use your hands. If the SSA determines that your arthritis prevents you from performing your previous job or adjusting to other work, you may be approved for benefits.
When to Work With an Attorney
Applying for disability benefits is often overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and mobility issues due to arthritis. Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys is here to guide you through the application and appeal process and get you the support you deserve.