Arthritis Disability Benefits

Is Arthritis A Disability?

Arthritis is a type of joint disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected part(s) of the body. There are many different forms, including osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and various other forms of autoimmune disease-based arthritis.

It can cause severe and chronic pain in the joints that are aggravated because of physical activity. An individual who has severe arthritis may be unable to work due to their condition and inability to complete work tasks.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that arthritis can be a disabling condition. Social Security Disability Arthritis helps many people in managing their expenses and many other essentials. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will not automatically find you disabled simply because you suffer from arthritis, or you can show that you have been formally diagnosed. Instead, under the SSA’s rules, there are two ways to confirm that your condition meets the standard of disabling.

Arthritis can cause pain and swelling in joints and many other parts of the body. Individuals suffering from the condition know the cost of medical bills and high prescription costs. It may also affect the social life of an individual. A person living with this medical condition may be unable to perform daily life activities and therefore, limits their social interactions.

It can severely affect the employment opportunities of an individual. If it is affecting your job and you are unable to work with this medical condition, you can apply for disability benefits. The Social Security disability benefits will provide financial assistance and help you in various ways if your condition is severe.

Types of arthritis that qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits

Any kind of arthritis can limit your ability to perform daily tasks and activities. Here are some of the common types of arthritis:

• Degenerative arthritis – This type of arthritis damages the cartilage and tissues surrounding a joint. It is one of the most common forms of arthritis.
• Inflammatory arthritis – It is joint inflammation caused by an overactive immune system. Psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis are forms inflammatory arthritis that may cause joint pain and damage throughout the body. If your condition is severe and has lasted for more than 12 months, you will be eligible for rheumatoid arthritis disability benefits. You should consider applying for disability benefits as soon as the symptoms start interfering with your work. The other inflammatory arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, also falls under the classification of immune system impairments under the SSA’s disability listings. You should speak to an attorney to determine if you are eligible for psoriatic arthritis disability benefits or not.
• Infectious arthritis – Infectious arthritis or septic arthritis is inflammatory arthritis that occurs when bacteria or virus enters the joints and multiplies. It is unusual that infectious arthritis may produce severe disability. However, if you are suffering from this and your condition is serious, consider applying for disability benefits. According to the SSA, if the disease is severe and interferes with your job and ability to work, you are eligible for disability benefits.
• Metabolic arthritis- It is a form of arthritis in which uric acid appears in excessive quantities in the blood. The acid gets deposited in the joints and other tissues that cause pain in joints.

The SSA department will evaluate and determine whether your arthritis is severe and limits your ability to perform physical activities.

When to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis and it has impacted your ability to work and function properly, you should consider applying for SSD for arthritis. You should check the Blue Book or consult an Arthritis Social Security Disability Attorney to determine if you fulfill the eligibility criteria or not. Your attorney will review your application and will also assist you with the application procedure.

There is no specific age or specific condition required to apply for disability benefits. If your medical condition is affecting your ability to work, you should immediately apply for benefits. However, you should have enough medical evidence and records to prove your disability. If you don’t have medical evidence to prove your disability, your application will be denied. Therefore, you should keep records of all your doctor’s reports and prescriptions.

• Option #1: Meet or Equal a Medical Listing

The SSA’s medical listings are essentially a way to screen out and quickly approve the strongest and most clear-cut disability cases. However, this means that it is also the hardest and least likely way for most people to be approved.

Depending on the exact diagnosis, symptoms, and other medical evidence involved, arthritis could match one of several possible medical listings in the Immune System Disorders or Musculoskeletal Disorders categories. Don’t worry if you can’t satisfy the strict requirements of the listings. It is much easier to prove disability through Option #2 mentioned below.

• Option #2: Show the Inability to Sustain Full-Time Work

Most people who are awarded disability benefits do not meet or equal a medical listing. Instead, they win by essentially showing that their condition prevents them from doing a full-time job on a long-term basis.

However, the SSA will not just take your word that you cannot work. The SSA will want to see medical evidence showing that your condition is long term, severe, and debilitating. It will also take into account factors like your age, education, and past work experience in deciding whether you meet this standard. For example, it is easier to win disability benefits based on arthritis when you are fifty years old or older than when you are younger.

How to apply for Disability Benefits with Arthritis?

Before applying for arthritis and disability, you must focus on gathering all your medical evidence. You can speak to a lawyer to determine what tests and reports are essential to provide for arthritis disability benefits.

You must have the following:

• Imaging results – x-rays, MRIs, CT scans.
• Mobility evaluations, stating about the functional limitations.
• Other lab work for inflammatory and other forms of arthritis.

To begin the process, you will have to complete the application for SSD. You will have to fill out various forms as a part of your application process.

The form will include details about your medical condition, work history, job, and educational qualifications. You should fill in all the details or hire a lawyer. Your lawyer will assist you in completing the application form and help you navigate through the process. Never leave anything blank in the application form. Even a single blank can cause the SSA to question your eligibility.

Contact SSD Attorney early to assess your eligibility

A disability attorney can help in making the entire process to receive Arthritis Disability benefits easy. If you have an experienced attorney by your side, he/she can assist in filing the application form accurately, gathering the right documents to prove your condition, submitting the application, and can also represent you in court, if needed.

If you are confused about your eligibility for disability benefits, discuss your case with our social security attorney in new jersey. We will evaluate your case and let you know your potential to receive the benefits. Our attorneys will stand by your side until you receive the benefits.