Ram meyyappan, the senior editor and manager of social security disability help reached out to us at kaleidoscope fighting lupus in order to provide information to the populations we serve. The book has won the highly respected seal of approval of the lupus foundation of america, inc. For social security s purposes, lupus qualifies as a disability when it meets these conditions. The social security administration ssa maintains a list of qualifying impairments in what is unofficially known as its blue book. Fatigue, pain, and other symptoms can make it difficult to make it through a typical workday. Social security uses a residual functional capacity rfc assessment to record the physical, mental, and sensory limitations that can affect an individuals ability to work. Applicants may prove they meet the social security administrations criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus, which is recognized as a disabling condition in the ssa blue book of impairment listings. Social security disability benefits for lupus nolo. Medical criteria needed to qualify with sjogrens syndrome. In addition to meeting the listing criteria, the disability must either last, or be expected to last 12 months, or result in death. Immune system disorders may result in recurrent and unusual infections, or inflammation and dysfunction of the bodys own tissues.
Social security has a specific impairment listing in their disability guidebook or blue book, as it is more commonly known. Does lupus qualify as a disability for social security. Lupus is included on this list which means that you can more easily qualify for disability benefits due to lupus than some other conditions that are not on the list. To meet criteria needed for approval for a social security disability claim, you must prove lupus has severely affected two or more organs or body systems circulatory, nervous, endocrine, etc. Jul 27, 2014 qualifying for social security disability with ra. Long waits and long odds for those who need social. The disease typically affects the joints, kidneys, skin, and other organs. Social security maintains a list of official qualifying diseases, called its blue book, and. When the social security administration ssa looks over. To qualify for social security disability benefits a person must meet the requirements of. Long waits and long odds for those who need social security. The social security administration has a publication called the blue book that lists all of the medical conditions that may qualify an individual for disability benefits, along with the criteria that must be met.
Jul 22, 2016 in order to meet social security administration ssa medical eligibility rules however, your lupus must be severe and significantly decrease your ability to work or stop you from working entirely. Systemic lupus erythematosus sle is a chronic inflammatory disease that. How lupus sufferers qualify for social security disability. Arthritis is considered under the musculoskeletal body system and has. Additionally, social security will consider your age, education level, and work experience in determining your ability to work based on your overall functioning level. You may qualify if you meet the listing requirements for lupus. Social security considers the affects of lupus as it does any other medical or mental impairment. If you can provide medical evidence to show that your ra meets the requirements listed in section 14. To qualify, an applicant must have lupus that either a affects two or more organsbody systems with moderate severity, or b results in repeated fevers, fatigue, malaise, or involuntary weight loss, as well as a limitation of daily living, social functioning, or completing tasks. What you should know one of the potential challenges of living with lupus is maintaining a successful work life. For social securitys purposes, lupus qualifies as a disability when it meets these conditions. However, to receive social security disability with lupus you have to meet the qualifications. There is a specific listing for benign brain tumors in the blue book under listing 11. However, the ssa must also confirm that the lupus is severe enough to totally and permanently disable you.
In this situation, you deserve social security disability ssd benefits to replace the money you are no longer able to earn by working. Individuals can also qualify for social security disability for lupus if they can prove that they are unable to work due to the health problems caused by lupus. Social security disability with lupus harris guidi. Jun 15, 2017 long waits and long odds for those who need social security disability. Although the disease is classified as rare, it is an autoimmune disease which can be extremely difficult to cope. Lupus and disability what it takes to qualify for ssdi. That is basically because of the inherently complicated nature of the disorder itself. The blue book is the official list of impairments as compiled by the ssa. Listing of impairments overview disability claims process video series. How to get disability assistance for chronic lupus aapd. If your medical records show you received a diagnosis listed in this book and you meet the severity criteria for that condition, and you meet all other applicable qualifications, you likely qualify for social. Sep 01, 2012 the new 8th edition of the disability workbook for social security applicants has been called an invaluable guide for understanding and navigating the social security disability insurance ssdi system. Meeting a listing is the easiest way to earn social security disability benefits. The only type of lupus included in the blue book is systemic lupus erythematosus.
The blue book is very detailed in explaining the requirements needed and evaluated by the social security. Complications of lupus include heart disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis and organ damage. Revisions to rules regarding the evaluation of medical evidence. In order to apply for social security disability benefits, you can visit your local social security office in person or you can apply online. The social security disability blue book contains more than 100 medical conditions, each with their own set of criteria that must be met to be considered disabled for ssd purposes. Immune system disorders can cause a deficit in a single organ or body system that results in extreme that is, very serious loss of function.
Ssa judge allow disability to patient suffering with lupus after reading the case presentation. For others, lupus does not respond to medication and progressively worsens. Sle or systemic lupus erythematosus is most commonly known as lupus, a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Lupus can indeed qualify you for social security disability benefits.
The blue book is a complicated resource for most people to. How the social security blue book of impairments can affect. Mar 27, 2019 the social security administration ssa maintains a listing of medical impairments known as the blue book that automatically qualify you for social security disability insurance ssdi or supplemental security income ssi, provided certain conditions are met. Social security disability rules for lupus law offices of john t. The specific list of severe impairments used by the social security administration to decide disability cases from social security disability determination the blue book. Social security disability rules for lupus law offices of.
Lupus is a condition that is specifically listed in social securitys blue book listings of impairments. The social security blue book is a guide of impairments that the social security administration ssa considers to be disabling enough to qualify for benefits. To help you with the information gathering process, here is the most relevant. An individual can meet the requirements of a listing set out in social securitys list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work.
A letter that includes information from the social security blue book can be an enormous help. How to apply for disability benefits with lupus the new. Meeting the blue book listing, those with lupus can qualify for disability. For this, they consult the blue book, a list of all ssaapproved disorders. If you have an autoimmune disorder that has become severe enough that you are unable to work anymore, you might be entitled to social security disability insurance ssdi benefits. In 2008, sjogrens syndrome was officially added to the blue book under section 14. Lupus is one of the diseases specifically listed in social securitys listing of impairments.
Lupus and social security disability insurance true help. They can also cause lesser degrees of limitations in two or more organs or body systems, and when associated with symptoms or signs, such as severe fatigue, fever, malaise, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, or involuntary weight loss, can also result in extreme limitation. The recent manual published in 2014 suggests lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus qualifies for disability benefits provided the claimant fulfills the criteria listed in the blue book. A disability lawyer from the disability advantage group, can handle your claim. While lupus is rarely lethal, it is almost always chronic and has no problems qualifying as a longterm, debilitating illness. Medical summary reports sample medical summaries from the soar program, along with guidelines on how to create a medical summary report. Rheumatoid arthritis and social security disability benefits. Disability workbook for social security applicants 8th. If you suffer from lupus and your condition keeps you from working, it is important to know whether you qualify for social security disability benefits. The blue book shows all of the listed disabling impairments in great detail that can make you automatically considered as disabled and thus eligible for social security disability benefits. Lupus and social security disability disability benefits center. Meeting the blue book listing, those with lupus can qualify for disability benefits. Illinois social security disability benefits for lupus. Social security has a specific impairment listing in their disability blue book, as it is more commonly known.
If you meet the requirements of a listing set out in social securitys list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work, you may qualify for. Social security maintains a list of official qualifying diseases, called its blue book, and lupus is included on the list. How to apply for disability benefits for lupus disability. To confirm the diagnosis, we may need laboratory findings for example, results of a biopsy obtained independently of social security disability evaluation or blood tests or evidence from other medically acceptable methods consistent with the prevailing state of medical knowledge and clinical practice. Sle is the only form of lupus that qualifies you for disability benefits. Systemic lupus erythematosus sle or simply lupus is evaluated in the immune system section of the disability evaluation under social security disability handbook, more commonly known as the blue book. These symptoms are often at their most severe during periods of lupus flares.
Social security administration ssa processes hundreds of thousands of claims each year, and to help streamline the process, they have created a standardized list of qualifying disabilities that are all listed in the blue book of impairments. How to apply for disability benefits for lupus disability benefits. Lupus lupus is a longterm autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. Systemic lupus erythematosus sle is a chronic inflammatory disease that can.
Applying for social security disability benefits with lupus. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs. The list of impairments is essentially a blue book used by the social security administration to determine whether an individual meets the social security definition of disability. Social security disability rules for lupus law offices. Every applicant for disability benefits is compared to the ssas medical guide known as the blue book.
The dds may seek information beyond what is on the application from your doctor. Qualifying for disability benefits for a listed impairment. This listing is sometimes referred to as the blue book. To qualify for social security disability benefits a person must meet the requirements of the listing or prove that they are unable to work. Social security disability help is an informational resources on all things related to social security disability benefits. Disability benefits for lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus. Getting disability for benign brain tumors disabilitysecrets. How to win my disability case for a lupus diagnosis. The social security blue book listing of impairments alllaw. The ssa developed a guide known as the blue book in which lists the most common disabling conditions and the requirements needed for these conditions to qualify an individual for disability benefits. Although there is a specific listing for lupus in the social security disability handbook listing 14. The social security administration recognizes that lupus systemic lupus erythematosus can support a finding of disabled under social securitys definition.
Sle or systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of. Disability evaluation under social security blue book september 2008 this edition of disability evaluation under social security, also known as the blue. Social security maintains a listing level of impairments also known as the blue book. Other forms of lupus, like discoid lupus which attacks the skin, do not qualify. Long waits and long odds for those who need social security disability. Qualifying for disability benefits for a listed impairment nolo. Despite the fact that there is a specific listing for lupus in the social security blue book, the disability criteria for lupus is not as specific as it should be. Disability evaluation under social security listing of impairments childhood listings part b.
It provides a baseline for disordersboth physical and mentalthat the ssa feels will inhibit a persons ability to work, and consequently create the need for disability assistance. To be found disabled based on the listing requirements, a claimant must prove that their condition meets or equals the severity level detailed in listing 14. We understand what the social security administration ssa needs to see to award disability for lupus. Medically qualifying for benefits with the blue book. Conditions that qualify for social security disability. If youre able to do this, you stand a good chance of receiving benefits. Lupus social security disability winning case strategies. Lupus is specifically listed as one of social security s qualifying impairments in section 14. This is often a good sign, because it means there is enough. This is the social security administrations list and information about disability impairments. This listing includes syndromes with clinical and immunologic features of. With such a wide variation of disorders and conditions, the social security administration created a guide for their own representatives and other physicians to determine if an applicant potentially qualifies for disability benefits.
What medical conditions qualify for social security. How to get disability for lupus social security law center. The ssas blue book of medical conditions lists lupus as a qualifying medical disorder. How lupus qualifies for social security disability. Consult the blue book and retrieve test results confirming the severity of your lupus. This listing includes syndromes with clinical and immunologic. Lupus is discussed in the social security administrations blue book listing of disabling conditions, in section 14 immune system disorders under paragraph 14. Lupus is a severe impairment if it prevents a person from working at a selfsupportive level social security has a monthly earnings amount that it considers self supporting sga. All applications for social security disability benefits are evaluated both medically and financially by ssa staff.
As those who suffer with this condition know very well, lupus falls within the category of autoimmune diseases. Prescription assistance and social security disability. Applying for social security disability benefits with. Does the social security administration offer lupus disability benefits. Now, those with sjogrens syndrome can meet a listing specific to their illness. Lupus is discussed in the social security administration s blue book listing of disabling conditions, in section 14 immune system disorders under paragraph 14. Book, has been specially prepared to provide physicians and other health. The ssa recognizes lupus in its blue book under section 14.
How the social security blue book of impairments can. If your lupus has made work impossible or has significantly limited your ability to maintain fulltime, gainful employment, then you may be able to get approved for disability benefits through the social security administration ssa. Discoid lupus is a form of lupus that attacks only the skin and causes a rash, but the social security administration ssa has an official disability listing only for systemic lupus erythematosus sle. We are extremely educated in social security terminology, but we are aware that our clients may not fully understand what it takes to qualify for social security disability. Disability benefits for lupus social security disability. However, unlike lyme disease, the social security administration does actually devote some space in the blue book to lupus claims. Mar 24, 20 social security disability rules for lupus.
This book lists many of the health conditions that qualify for social security disability insurance and supplemental security income. Getting social security disability for autoimmune disorders. In order to determine whether or not you qualify medically, the ssa uses their blue book. City six years ago when her systemic lupus flared and left her unable to work. Social security evaluates the functional limitations imposed by lupus under a variety of other impairments depending upon which body system or systems are affected. Lupus and social security disability citizens disability.
Systemic lupus erythematosus, or simply lupus, is evaluated in the immune system section of the disability evaluation under social security disability handbook, more commonly known as the social security blue book. Ssa publishes a disability listing called the blue book. An individual can meet the requirements of a listing set out in social security s list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work. The social security administration recognizes that lupus systemic lupus erythematosus can support a finding of disabled under social security s definition. Aug 20, 2017 social security disability with lupus social security maintains a listing level of impairments also known as the blue book. Social security disability benefits for lupus if you meet the requirements of a listing set out in social security s list of qualifying impairments or show that he or she is unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits for lupus. This simply means that to be approved for social security disability benefits for lupus an individual must meet the criteria established for the body system affected by lupus. If you are applying for disability benefits with the social security administration ssa, you may qualify on the basis of medical evidence alone if you are not working and you have an impairment that is as medically severe as an impairment listed in the ssas listing of impairments also known as the blue book. The blue book is the official list of all disabilities that are eligible for benefits. The lupus disability listing appears in the immune system disorders section of the ssas blue book. The ssa details how significant the functional impairments caused by lupus must be for it to qualify as a disability. An inside look at the complexities of applying for social security disability when you have lupus. A lupus flare can be unpredictable, and there is no way of predicting the length, frequency, or severity of a persons flares. A joplin disability lawyer can help with disability claims.
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