Social Security Disability for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can be debilitating disease that may leave you unable to work. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and it has impacted your ability to participate in your normal daily activities and has also left you unable to work, you could be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.

In the event that you have a serious case of rheumatoid arthritis, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Through the Social Security Administration , the government gives these cash installments to those who are incapable to work due to a sickness or disability for a year or more.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, which requires you earn sufficient credits and pay in enough taxes to the SSA to receive disability benefits if you meet the requirements of being fully disabled.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis can impact more than just your joints. It can also attack your different body systems. You can suffer kidney failure and require dialysis, experience lung and breathing problems, or have digestive issues.

You will require frequent visits with your rheumatologist who specializes in treating autoimmune diseases. It is not abnormal to suffer the traditional arthritic joint systems of arthritis to go along with other symptoms coinciding with the bodily systems impacted. Because it is an autoimmune disease, you can get sick easily. You can check the Blue Book listing to see how you can qualify for disability benefits with rheumatoid arthritis.

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be considered a disability by the SSA. The SSA has a list of disabilities that qualify for Social Security disability benefits called the Blue Book.

While there isn’t a specific listing for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can still qualify for disability benefits through a couple of ways.

In order medically qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis, your medical evidence needs to match one of the listings outlined in the Blue Book.

In order to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis, here are some ways in which a person can do so.

You may be able to get disability for rheumatoid arthritis, if your medical evidence matches the listing 14.02, which is for Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

SLE and rheumatoid arthritis have similar conditions and symptoms so if your medical evidence and symptoms match the listing for SLE, then you may be able to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis.

In order to qualify under listing 14.02, Involvement of two or more organs or body systems with:

• One of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and
• At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).

Or

Repeated manifestations of SLE, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level:

• Limitation of activities of daily living.
• Limitation in maintaining social functioning.
• Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.

You may also be able to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis under the listing for inflammatory arthritis which is 14.09 of the Blue Book.

You will show the SSA a detailed medical history that explains the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis, as well as medical evidence, such as MRI’s or doctor’s notes that help show that your rheumatoid arthritis is severe enough that you will be unable to work because of it.

The more medical documents and evidence you have, the more likely you will be able to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis.

You may also be able to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis under the listing for inflammatory arthritis which is 14.09 of the Blue Book.

You will show the SSA a detailed medical history that explains the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis, as well as medical evidence, such as MRI’s or doctor’s notes that help show that your rheumatoid arthritis is severe enough that you will be unable to work because of it.

The more medical documents and evidence you have, the more likely you will be able to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis.

How Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Impact Your Ability to Work

Depending on how severe the rheumatoid arthritis is, there may be a wide range of work limitations because of it.

Early rheumatoid arthritis often tends to affect the joints in the hands, which could cause limitations in work whether you work a physical labor job or a job that is more sedentary in nature.

Your rheumatoid arthritis could make it more difficult to grab objects, like if you work constructions and have to life heavy objects or if you work in an office setting, it could make it difficult to control your computer mouse.

If you find that your rheumatoid arthritis is making your normal day to day tasks much more difficult than what it was before your diagnosis, you should see what kinds of restrictions you have in place.

More severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis tend to affect joints all around the body, such as the knees, elbows, hips and shoulders.

The more severe your rheumatoid arthritis is, the more likely it is that you cannot perform the same basic functions of your job.

If you have a more advanced case of rheumatoid arthritis that is affecting multiple areas of the body, it could make the simple tasks of getting in and out of your chair even much more difficult.

There may be more strict work limitations with rheumatoid arthritis if your case is severe enough.

If you feel like you can no longer work for at least 12 months because of your rheumatoid arthritis, you be able to qualify for disability benefits.

If your rheumatoid arthritis causes you to suffer from severe symptoms, your daily life may be severely impacted. Joint damage can significantly impact your mobility and functioning ability.

You can experience malaise that will leave you unable to focus or concentrate for long periods of time. Your overall well-being as well as your mental and emotional states can significantly be impacted by your medical condition.

All these symptoms and side effects can impact your daily life as well as your working capabilities.

Limitations for Specific Jobs

Your ability to work can suffer significant impact from your rheumatoid arthritis. As an example, if your joints have been attacked by RA, you may not be able to stand long periods or sit long periods because of the severe pain.

You will have to reposition yourself frequently, which can impact your ability to perform many jobs.

If different body systems have been impacted, such as your kidneys, and dialysis is necessary, you will require frequent medical visits that leave you exhausted and unable to function properly, so you can’t work in a factory or a warehouse where standing for long periods is required.

Because RA can impact any joints, you may find your fingers and wrists are significantly impacted and cannot move well.

Due to limited mobility of the hands and fingers as well as the pain suffered, you may find you cannot perform fingering tasks or grasp small items, so you won’t be able to perform data entry, secretarial, or product inspection duties.

Finally, if your condition has left you unable to lift, carry, or reach, you can’t work retail, in shipping and receiving, in a distribution center, or as a first responder or in emergency services.

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe medical condition that can be disabling. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book, to determine if a claimant qualifies medically for disability benefits. The Blue Book has sections for different body systems and each section has listings for disabling conditions that may apply to that bodily system.

Rheumatoid arthritis is listed in Section 14.09 which is entitled Inflammatory Arthritis. You will need to provide a complete, detailed medical history that explains the severity of your rheumatoid arthritis. You must provide documented medical evidence that shows the following apply to your situation:

• Pain or deformity in a weight-bearing joint like a hip or a knee
• Challenges getting around that require a walker, cane, crutches, wheelchair, or assistive device
• Pain or deformity in any joint of your upper arms that makes performing fine motor skills difficult, such as difficulty filing or writing
• Severe malaise or fatigue
• Any involvement of an organ, such as heart or lung conditions related to RA
• Involuntary weight loss
• Fevers
• Any problems related to other body systems

There are several different medical tests that can confirm a diagnosis, and you will need to be able to provide those test reports. Some of the tests that Disability Determination Services (DDS) will be looking for in your medical records include blood antibody tests, inflammation blood tests, and imaging tests such as x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.

DDS will give more weight to a medical specialist’s opinion rather than a primary care provider. You should establish medical care with a rheumatologist.

I Can Work, But Not Much Because of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis limits your abilities but doesn’t completely disable you. You may be wondering what to do if you find yourself able to work a little, but not enough to work and earn a living.

To be eligible for Social Security Disability, you must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). If you earn more than a specified amount of impairment-related work expenses, you are earning SGA and not qualify for disability benefits.

As of 2020, the SGA limit or an individual who isn’t blind is $1,260 per month. This applies to both SSDI and SSI. You must prove that your disability will last for at least a year or that it could lead to your death.

So, if you are able to do a little work, but you earn less than SGA limits, you may qualify for disability benefits. You will need to talk to a disability lawyer to see if you may qualify for disability benefits while you are working for a living.

If the SSA believes that you can work enough to earn SGA, then your claim will be denied. This could have something to do with your hours worked as well.

For example, you may work 10 hours a week and earn $8 an hour and still fall under SGA, but you may work 10 or 12 hours a week and earn $30 or $40 an hour depending on your profession. Some people may be able to work very little, but still earn in excess of the SGA limits.

So, whether you can work very little and still qualify for disability benefits can vary greatly. A disability lawyer should review the specific details of your claim and your work capabilities before you file a claim so they can determine if you are going to qualify for disability benefits.

Using a Medical Vocational Allowance

If you don’t qualify through the Blue Book listing, you can still be approved using a medical vocational allowance with a residual functional capacity (RFC) form.

The RFC is very detailed, explaining what you can and cannot do. It would indicate if your hand movements were too limited for you to write or perform fine movements with the hands.

The RFC will indicate if you cannot stand more than an hour, how much you can lift, if you can bend or squat, if you can reach or grasp, and how far you can walk.

It will take your age, educational background, work history, and transferrable skills into consideration with your medical conditions, treatments, prognosis, symptoms, and side effects.

Through a medical vocational allowance approach, Disability Determination Services will get a more thorough look at your overall health and abilities.

They will then be able to accurately determine what kind of work – or if there is any kind of work – that you are capable of doing with your rheumatoid arthritis and the severity of the condition.

What You Need to Apply for Social Security with RA

Maintaining detailed records is essential in proving your case and being approved for disability benefits. You will need to supply all your detailed medical records including test results such as x-rays, MRIs, and blood tests.

You will also need to include physician notes, information about any medications and their side effects, and any treatments you have undergone along with the results.

You should also include your doctor’s statement regarding your restrictions and any limitations, along with documentation about how your condition has impacted your life.

Get Help from a Social Security Attorney

Additional Resources

Disability Application Tips: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Social Security Disabling Conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder
The Disability Application Process For Arthritis
The Social Security Application Process for Rheumatoid Arthritis