How to qualify for disability benefits with arthritis?
In general, the SSA looks for the following specific symptoms when reviewing your disability claim:
- Unable to walk easily or effectively without help due to instability in one major weight-bearing joint (i.e., hip, knee or ankle)
- Cannot hold, carry, pick up or lift certain objects because of joint problems in both arms (i.e., shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand)
- Trouble standing up from a seated position using just your legs, or without help
What are kinds of arthritis qualify you for disability benefits?
What Types of Arthritis Can Automatically Qualify You for Social Security Disability Benefits?
- Joint Dysfunction. Arthritis can cause major dysfunction due to deformities such as misalignments, shortening of the joint or chronic pain and stiffness.
- You Underwent Surgery on a Weight-Bearing Joint. If arthritis has led you to undergo surgery to a major joint such as your knees or hips, and the surgery still ...
- Arthritis of the Spine. ...
What are the requirements for disability with arthritis?
- 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/foot with:
Does having rheumatoid arthritis qualify you for disability?
Rheumatoid arthritis does qualify for long-term disability benefits as long as it meets SSA’s eligibility requirements. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) a qualifying disability, provided it is advanced enough to meet their eligibility requirements.
What type of arthritis qualify for disability?
SSA recognizes inflammatory arthritis could qualify as a disabling disease if it is accompanied by the following findings. Deformity or swelling of an ankle, knee, or hip joint with: At least two of the following symptoms: fever, loss of weight, fatigue, or a general feeling of discomfort.
Does arthritis automatically qualify you for disability?
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.
Can I claim benefits if I have arthritis?
If I have arthritis, can I apply for disability benefits? If you have a disability – either physical or mental, you may qualify for financial help and benefits. Many people with arthritis struggle with mobility at times, and some struggle with their activities of daily living.
What is the most painful type of arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.
What happens if I can't work because of arthritis?
If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially. You may be entitled to 1 or more of the following types of financial support: if you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
How is arthritis diagnosed? Doctors usually diagnose arthritis using the patient's medical history, physical examination, X-rays, and blood tests. It is possible to have more than one form of arthritis at the same time.
How do I know what type of arthritis I have?
Do a physical exam. Your doctor will check for swollen joints, tenderness, redness, warmth, or loss of motion in the joints. Use imaging tests like X-rays. These can often tell what kind of arthritis you have.
How much does disability pay for rheumatoid arthritis?
You must meet the SSA's medical criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and have enough work credits, you will be able to qualify for disability benefits with rheumatoid arthritis. You may be eligible to receive $3,345 each month. Fill out a Free Disability Evaluation today!
How The SSA Determines Disability With Arthritis
In the case of arthritis, you must receive medical treatment for at least three months before the SSA will make a determination regarding the exten...
Steps to Take in Order to Qualify
To determine whether a person qualifies for Social Security Disability because of arthritis, the SSA uses the following steps:The SSA first determi...
Consult With A Social Security Attorney
If the SSA determines that your arthritis precludes you from performing any kind of available work, they will approve your claim and you will begin...
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
These include: 1. Joint Dysfunction. Arthritis can cause your joints to experience major dysfunction due to deformities such as misalignments, shortening of the joint or chronic pain and stiffness. If your condition has led to a dysfunction in any of your joints, you can automatically qualify for benefits.
What is inflammation in arthritis?
Inflammatory arthritis: when the immune system goes array and attacks healthy joint with uncontrolled inflammation ( rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are examples).
What is the 4th condition that can automatically qualify you for benefits under the SSA?
The 4th arthritis condition that can automatically qualify you for benefits under the SSA listings is when arthritis causes inflammation or deformities in your knees, ankles, shoulders or elbows. When such deformities in the joints prevent you from working, you can meet the SSA listing for arthritis and receive benefits.
What is metabolic arthritis?
Metabolic arthritis: a buildup of uric acid in the body’s joint, resulting in gout.
How many steps are there to qualify for SSA?
The SSA follows a 5-step procedure to determine if you qualify for benefits due to your arthritis condition. These 5 steps are as follows:
How much will the SSA pay for arthritis in 2021?
For 2021, this amount was $1,310 or more a month .
What is a 14.09 disability?
If you don't qualify for disability under any of the above listings, you may qualify under Listing 14.09, Inflammatory arthritis (this includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis).
What is severe impairment?
Under the SSA's standards, a "severe" impairment is one that causes a significant impact on your ability to do work-related activities. At the next step, the SSA must determine whether your arthritis meets (or "equals") one of the conditions established in the SSA's Listing of Impairments; if your arthritis meets the criteria under ...
What causes pain and swelling in the joints?
Arthritis occurs when there is inflammation of the joints. Fractures or breaks in the bone, obesity, age, autoimmune disorders, and bacterial or viral infections can all cause arthritis. Arthritis can cause significant pain, redness, and swelling of the joints and often limits one's ability to perform everyday activities.
Can you get disability for arthritis?
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 (crookedness) of the joints. In addition, you have to have arthritis in either:
Does My Arthritis Meet a Listing?
The SSA lays out the criteria needed for arthritis to be a qualifying medical condition under four separate listings in the SSA's impairment listings: Listing 1. 02, Listing 1.03, Listing 1.04, and Listing 14.09.
What are the requirements for disability?
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires workplaces with 15 or more employees to provide accommodations for people with a disability. For a person working in the company, such work-related changes may include: 1 modifying work hours 2 allowing time off 3 ensuring the work environment is accessible and allows a person to perform their tasks comfortably
What is arthritis pain?
About arthritis. Symptoms. Summary. Arthritis is the term for a group of painful conditions that affect the body’s joints. For many people with arthritis, the condition can be debilitating. Symptoms vary in severity depending on the type of arthritis and the time that elapses between when a person begins to develop the condition ...
How long does it take to get SSDI?
There may be a 5-month waiting period before a person diagnosed with a qualifying disability can get SSDI payments.
What is the government program for people with disabilities?
Two programs administered through the Social Security Administration may provide support for a person with disabilities. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is a government program for people who have previously worked and have a sufficient amount of work credits with Social Security.
How long does it take to get a disability claim?
The claim process may take several months and up to 2 years. After approval, there is a 5-month period before a person starts to get benefits. Private insurance may provide assistance during the waiting period. A person can appeal if the SSA rejects their application.
How many employees are required to provide accommodations for people with disabilities?
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires workplaces with 15 or more employees to provide accommodations for people with a disability. For a person working in the company, such work-related changes may include: modifying work hours. allowing time off.
Where does arthritis affect the body?
Some forms of arthritis may also affect the skin, eyes, and organs such as the lungs. Joint symptoms can affect any joint around the body, but arthritis is most common in the hands, wrists, fingers, knees, and spine.
When Can Osteoarthritis Qualify You for Disability?
Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints for many people as they get older; it's sometimes called degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Few people qualify for disability for arthritic pain and stiffness alone, but as arthritis symptoms continue to grow worse, the symptoms can limit walking, requiring knee or hip replacements, or using your hands and wrists. Arthritis in the neck can make it difficult to work at a computer, and arthritis in the lumbar spine (lower back) can make it impossible to work at a job that requires lifting, carrying, crouching, bending, or stooping.
What does SSA look for in osteoarthritis?
If you have osteoarthritis but you don't meet the criteria under any of the listings discussed above, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will look at your " residual functional capacity ," or "RFC." Your RFC assessment is used by the SSA to determine what kind of work you're still capable of doing despite the limitations thatyour arthritis causes.
What is the listing for having an abnormality of a major joint?
If you have osteoarthritis in your hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, wrists, or hands, you might meet the listing for having an abnormality of a major joint. In order to meet this listing, you must have an obvious deformity in a joint: medical imaging (such as an MRI) must show joint space narrowing, ankylosis (fused joints or bones), or the destruction of bone. You must also have a history of joint pain or stiffness, and a loss of motion or instability in the joint. In addition, you need medical documentation that:
What is the most common type of arthritis?
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down. This can cause pain and stiffness in the joints, swelling, muscle weakness, and a reduced range of motion in the affected joints. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but is most often found in the hands, hips, knees, or spine.
Can arthritis in the neck make it impossible to work?
Arthritis in the neck can hinder the ability to work at a computer, and arthritis in the lumbar spine can make it impossible to work at a job that requires lifting, carrying, crouching, bending, or stooping. Since osteoarthritis can be found in different joints, causing different limitations, Social Security evaluates the various joint problems in ...
Can you do a RFC assessment with arthritis?
If you have osteoarthritis in your shoulders, arms, or hands, your RFC assessment may restrict you from doing work that involves lifting, reaching, typing, writing, or grabbing. This would make it difficult to do many jobs, even sedentary jobs.
Can you get disability for back problems?
It is fairly common for osteoarthritis to occur in the vertebrae of the spine, but osteoarthritis in the spine qualifies for disability benefits only under certain conditions. To meet the requirements of the listing for spinal disorders, you must have a diagnosis ...
What are the two types of disability benefits?
Types of Disability Benefits in the United States. There are two federal disability programs in the United States, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both share one requirement: the person who receives the funds has to have a disability that affects their ability to work.
How much money do you need to make to get disability?
If you are making at least $1,260 a month , you are mostly likely not eligible for disability benefits. (If you are making some money but less than that amount, you may still be eligible. The amount of benefits you receive may be reduced.)
What Is the Definition of Disability?
There are several criteria used to determine whether someone is considered disabled enough to be eligible for benefits. The following criteria will be evaluated when you apply for Social Security disability benefits:
How is Social Security Disability funded?
SSDI benefits are funded through payroll taxes.
What is RA in medical terms?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with common symptoms such as...
How long after you get disabled can you get Medicare?
If you have been disabled for at least a year, you can get back payments of disability benefits from that year. You are eligible for Medicare 24 months after your SSDI benefits began.
What to do if denied SSDI?
If you are denied at this level, you can ask the Appeals Council to look at your case and make a decision on it. About 9 percent of successful SSDI claims between 2008 and 2017 were approved at the hearing or Appeals Council level. If you are denied at this level, the only remaining option is a federal court hearing.
Social Security Disability for Arthritis
To qualify for SSDI benefits for arthritis, you must meet the basic disability requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA). An arthritis diagnosis does not automatically qualify for disability.
Medical Evidence to Support Your Claim
The medical evidence provided is vital to the outcome of your disability claim. Each document is an opportunity to help show the SSA the extent of your arthritis and how it affects your life.
Get Help Qualifying for Disability Benefits
Sigman Janssen is here to guide you through the claims process and protect your interests. If your initial claim is denied, we are also here to handle your appeal. Our firm has helped advocate on behalf of many claimants over the years, fighting for the disability benefits they need.
Who reviews disability applications?
All applications are reviewed by professional Disability Consultants.
How does arthritis affect your body?
As most people know, the most significant symptoms of arthritis in all of its forms involve swelling, pain and/or stiffness of the joints to one degree or another. Over time this pain can become so severe that it can drastically reduce a person’s ability to perform even the simplest of daily activities. In addition to the pain caused by the disease itself, that pain can in turn cause even more severe effects down the road as a person’s physical health suffers from reduced exercise.
What is the most common disability in Canada?
Arthritis is one of the most common disabilities in the world and has been said to effect as many as 30% of the population by the time they reach the age of 65. This painful inflammation of the joints can be traced to a wide range of causes, but regardless of what the cause may be the outcome is always the same. Canadian Disability Benefits can help you apply for the benefits you deserve and require to get the medical treatment you deserve.
What is the most common type of arthritis?
The most common among these are osteoarthritis, which is caused by a combination of age and general wear on the body’s joints and rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints. Over time, the inflammation and damage caused by this disease can make even the most basic of movements impossibly painful. Canadian Disability Benefits provided by the government can help you receive the treatment you require without adding undue financial hardship to your already challenging life.