If you have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and you can’t work anymore because of it, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. The money from disability benefits can be used to pay for your mortgage, rent, utilities, food, or any living expenses that you have while you can’t work. As long as you have worked before, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. Follow these steps to apply for Social Security disability benefits:

Step 1: Determine How Ankylosing Spondylitis Limits You

When you apply for disability benefits you must think that you will be unable to work at your current job or do the most recent kind of work you’ve been doing for at least 12 months because of Ankylosing Spondylitis. You also must be unable to perform any of the jobs you had previous to your current or recent job. The SSA may require that you document how Ankylosing Spondylitis limits your ability to perform daily activities of living to show that you really are disabled by this condition.

Step 2: Consult the Blue Book For Ankylosing Spondylitis

The SSA requires that anyone applying for Social Security disability benefits be diagnosed with a condition that is listed in the Blue Book and meet the requirements in that listing in order to be eligible for disability benefits. So, if you are applying for disability benefits because you have Ankylosing Spondylitis you must submit medical evidence showing that you meet these requirements:

You must have Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 45° or more of flexion from the vertical position (zero degrees);

OR

You must have Ankylosis (fixation) of the dorsolumbar or cervical spine as shown by medically acceptable imaging and measured on physical examination at 30° or more of flexion (but less than 45°) measured from the vertical position (zero degrees), and involvement of two or more organs/body systems with one of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity.

You will need to submit medical records, proof of diagnosis, and imaging like X-rays, MRIs, PET scans, or CAT scans to show that you meet these requirements. You also can submit an RFC form filled out by your doctor.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

In addition to the medical records and documents that you will need to submit with your application you will need to submit copies of your identification like a passport or driver’s license, your tax information, Social Security card, and birth certificate. Submitting all of your documentation can be confusing but it’s necessary.

Step 4: Speak With a Disability Attorney

Making sure that you have fulfilled all the application requirements and have all the documentation that the SSA needs to make a determination of disability can be tough. It helps to speak with a disability attorney that can help you navigate the application process. Fill out the Free Course Evaluation and talk to an independent, participating disability attorney who subscribes to the website now about your case.