If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus, access to resources like SSDI is essential. These disability benefits can help ease the strain of handling this condition’s symptoms and make it easier to focus on your health. You can do your part by documenting your flares and symptoms carefully. SSDI for autoimmune disease is available, but it requires strong support and documentation to prove your SSDI claim.
Fortunately, Phillip M. Hendry Law has extensive experience working with SSDI law, and we know the process inside and out. Learn some simple tips on documenting your autoimmune condition and how working with our qualified SSDI lawyer can help you navigate the SSDI process to seek the benefits you deserve.
Lupus and Its Effects at a Glance
Lupus is a serious autoimmune condition that affects over 1.5 million Americans each year, and it is most common among women. With an autoimmune disease, the immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the body’s healthy tissue instead. The resulting symptoms may cause serious challenges for a person’s everyday life and daily functioning, including the ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Lupus affects external body systems like the skin and can damage the joints and internal organs, including the kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood vessels. Like many autoimmune diseases, it can be pervasive and impact nearly any part of the body.
Common Symptoms Associated With Lupus
There are many symptoms and issues associated with lupus, including:
- Arthritis, joint stiffness, and joint pain
- Fevers
- Fatigue
- Rashes, sores, and skin sensitivities
- Swelling of the glands or various parts of the body, such as the legs and around the eyes
- Inflammation around the lungs or heart, which can cause pain when breathing or lying down
- Headaches and body pain
- Confusion, dizziness, and seizures
The Basics of Applying for SSDI for an Autoimmune Disease Like Lupus
If lupus impacts your life and prevents you from working, speaking with a qualified SSDI lawyer at Phillip M. Hendry Law can help. They can start by assessing your basic eligibility for SSDI for an autoimmune disease. Basic eligibility criteria includes:
- Having worked at a job covered by Social Security
- Having the appropriate amount of work credits for your age
- Having an SSA-recognized condition
- Lupus is recognized as an autoimmune disease under the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book in section 14.00, Immune System Disorders.
- Generally, the evidence and documentation of your condition must meet the criteria for the Classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by the American College of Rheumatology.
- Having a condition that is severe and expected to last at least 12 months or end in death
- Specific income and work capacity criteria depending on your situation
Documenting Flares and Symptoms for Lupus Disability Benefits
Lupus patients often have flares, which are periods when their symptoms are worse than usual. Documenting these flares can help demonstrate the impact of lupus on your life if you are applying for SSDI benefits. Documentation must be from acceptable medical sources (AMS), but there are a few things you can do to attain that documentation.
Attend All Appointments for Your Autoimmune Condition
Attending all your appointments with your medical care team, including the rheumatologist (who normally oversees the care of lupus patients), is the starting point for your documentation. Keep all your appointments and follow-ups so there is a record of your care.
Get Treatment During Lupus Flares
Seek medical care during flare-ups along with your regularly scheduled care and treatment. Records of your additional doctor’s visits or hospitalizations can support your SSDI claim.
Gather Records of Lab Tests and Biopsy Results
Lab tests and biopsies can be strong sources of evidence for your lupus diagnosis. While there is no single test that can diagnose the disease, there are various tests that can indicate its presence.
Blood tests show low blood red cell counts, complement tests may demonstrate low protein levels in the blood, and chemistry panels can reveal kidney and liver dysfunction. Other tests might include urinalysis or anti-nuclear antibody tests. Depending on a person’s symptoms, tissue biopsies may also support the diagnosis.
Keep Detailed Descriptions of Flares and Symptoms Corroborated With AMS
It is key to keep detailed records of your lupus flares, including the specific symptoms you are experiencing and how they affect you. These will need to be corroborated with doctor’s notes from acceptable medical sources.
Your descriptions should note uncontrolled symptoms, the need for frequent treatment changes, and documentation of related conditions such as kidney disease, strokes, or seizures. This can help illustrate the severity of your autoimmune condition.
Autoimmune conditions can be complex and involve multiple disorders (for example, there can sometimes crossover involving lupus and mixed connective tissue disorder), but a qualified SSDI attorney can guide you through the process.
A Skilled SSDI Lawyer at Phillip M. Hendry Law Can Help You Fight for Lupus Disability Benefits
Understanding the SSDI process and necessary documentation can be confusing, but this is where a skilled SSDI lawyer can help. Phillip M. Hendry Law can advise you on exactly what you need for your application and how to get essential documentation.
Working with a qualified attorney also gives you a higher chance of approval when applying for lupus disability benefits. Although lupus can be challenging to live with, some treatments can help. Getting the SSDI benefits you deserve can go a long way in helping you get the right health care to thrive.