Arthritis can hit at any age, even as young as six months. However, for most people, arthritis creeps into the joints between 40 and 60. If you are still working at this age, the effects of this disorder may hamper your job activity.
When you get to the point you cannot work any longer because of arthritis’s crippling impact, Social Security Disability Income may help keep your money stable.
Blue Book
The Social Security Administration uses a set of criteria to determine if someone qualifies for SSDI. SSA calls these standards the Blue Book Listings.
Arthritis falls in Section 14.00, the Immune System Disorders, with the listing for inflammatory arthritis under 14.09. The write-up goes into extreme detail about the requirements you must have to qualify, such as:
- Persistent inflammation or deformity of upper or lower joints
- Inflammation or deformity that involves two or more organs or body systems
- Ankylosing spondylitis
The SSD may also look to see if you have ongoing symptoms of malaise, fatigue and fever.
SSD documentation
When determining if you qualify for disability income, the SSA focuses only on how your illness affects your work and whether it impedes your ability to make a living. The SSA may ask for information regarding:
- Medical conditions
- Medical sources, such as doctors, hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms
- Medications you take for your arthritis
- Job history
The SSA website has an Adult Disability Starter Kit with fact sheets and worksheets.
The SSA denies claims because of insufficient documentation or lack of medical testing. Ask your doctor to help you get the medical evidence needed to qualify for disability income.
