3% Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease. These diseases can impact your ability to work. Can you get disability for autoimmune disease? Yes, you can. Read on to learn what you need to do to make your case.
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Autoimmune diseases seem to be rising, with more people diagnosed each year. An autoimmune disease is when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your body.
When germs and bacteria attack our body, our immune system sends an army of cells to fight these foreign invaders. While doing so, the cells sometimes attack our own cells. This is called autoimmune disease.
If you are one of the 3% of US population who suffer from an autoimmune disease, you may be wondering if you can get a disability for your illness.
The good news is that there is a chance you may be able to get disability benefits for your autoimmune disease. Keep reading to learn more about how to apply for disability and what types of illnesses are covered.
Can I Get Disability For Autoimmune Disease?
Yes, you will be eligible for the autoimmune disease benefits under listing 14.0 of the Blue Book. There are a variety of autoimmune diseases that can make it difficult for someone to work and maintain gainful employment. While there is no guarantee that you will be able to get disability benefits for your particular condition, it is worth exploring all of your options.
Some autoimmune diseases that may qualify you for disability benefits include Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. To receive benefits, you will need to provide medical documentation of your diagnosis and how the condition impacts your ability to work.
Suppose you think you may be eligible for disability benefits due to an autoimmune disease. In that case, the best thing to do is speak with an experienced disability attorney who can help you navigate the process.
You might also like to read: Can You Get Disability For Neuropathy?
How To Qualify With An Autoimmune Disease?
When you have an autoimmune disease, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This can cause various symptoms, from fatigue and joint pain to digestive issues and skin rashes.
If you want to qualify for disability benefits with an autoimmune disease, you’ll need to provide medical evidence showing how the condition impacts your ability to work.
Here are some tips on how to do that:
1. Keep detailed records of your symptoms. This includes when they started, how often they occur, and how long they last. Be sure also to note any treatments you’ve tried and how well they’ve worked.
2. Get regular checkups with your doctor and keep all your medical records. This will help to document the progression of your disease.
3. If possible, get a statement from your doctor that outlines how your autoimmune disease is impacting your ability to work. This can help demonstrate the severity of your condition.
4. Make sure to keep track of any missed workdays or reduced productivity at work due to your illness. This can also be used as evidence in your disability claim.
5. Be prepared to explain how your autoimmune disease affects your daily activities and overall quality of life. The Social Security Administration will want to know how the condition limits your ability to function daily.
What Are Immune System Disorders Listed in the Bluebook?
There are a variety of immune system disorders that are listed in the Bluebook. These disorders can range from relatively mild conditions, like infections, to more severe conditions, like autoimmune diseases. The disorders identified in Section 14.07 include pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, septic arthritis, sinusitis and endocarditis. Here is a closer look at some of the most common immune system disorders that are listed in the Bluebook:
Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. The Bluebook recognizes various autoimmune diseases, including Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.
Immune Deficiency Disorders: Immune deficiency disorders occur when the body’s immune system cannot function properly. This can make a person more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. Some of the most common immune deficiency disorders listed in the Bluebook include severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
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Can You Get A Disability For Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a severe illness that can cause symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and neurological problems. If you have Lyme disease and your symptoms make it impossible to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits.
To qualify for disability benefits, you must show that your Lyme disease is severe enough to meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book of impairments. Alternatively, you may be able to get benefits if your condition prevents you from doing any work that exists in the national economy.
Can You Get A Disability For Sjogren’s Syndrome?
Yes, you can get a disability for Sjogren’s syndrome. This is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue, joint pain, dryness of the eyes and mouth, and other symptoms. While there is no cure, treatment can help to improve symptoms and quality of life.
To qualify for disability benefits, you will need to show that your condition has significantly impacted your ability to work. This can be done through medical evidence and testimony from yourself or your loved ones. If you cannot work due to your Sjogren’s syndrome, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Can You Get A Disability For Lupus?
There are many different types of Lupus, and the severity of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people with Lupus may only experience mild symptoms, while others may have more severe, chronic symptoms. Lupus can also affect different parts of the body, and some people may experience more debilitating effects than others.
For some people, Lupus can be a disabling condition that prevents them from working or engaging in other activities. If you cannot work due to your lupus symptoms, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
You might also like to read: Can You Get Disability If You’ve Never Worked?
Can You Get A Disability For Systemic Vasculitis?
Yes, you can get a disability for Systemic Vasculitis. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that this condition can be disabling, and qualifying applicants may receive benefits.
Systemic vasculitis is a rare disorder that involves inflammation of the blood vessels. This can lead to several serious complications, including organ damage, stroke, and death. There is no cure for systemic vasculitis, but treatment can help to control the symptoms and minimize the risk of serious complications.
Can You Get A Disability For Systemic Sclerosis?
Yes, you can get a disability for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific listing for this condition in the Blue Book, evaluating disabling conditions. To qualify for benefits under this listing, you must have documented medical evidence of one of the following:
- Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with severe muscle weakness or atrophy
- Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis with any one of the following:
- Severe pulmonary hypertension
- Interstitial lung disease that has resulted in impairment equal to a listings level severity
- Heart failure due to myocardial fibrosis or other cardiac abnormalities associated with systemic sclerosis
In addition to meeting a specific listing, you must also be able to show that your condition has resulted in an extreme limitation in one, or a marked limitation in two, of the following areas:
- Activities of daily living
- Social functioning
- Concentration, persistence, or pace
- Adaptive functioning.
Can You Get A Disability For Polymyositis?
Polymyositis is a rare inflammatory disorder that causes muscle weakness. It can make everyday activities difficult or impossible to do. The good news is that, with treatment, most people with Polymyositis can improve their symptoms and live relatively everyday lives.
If your Polymyositis is severe, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify, you must show that your condition prevents you from working or significantly limits your ability to function physically.
You might also like to read: Can You Get Disability For Back Problems?
Can You Get A Disability For Undifferentiated And Mixed Connective Tissue Disease?
Yes, you can get disability for Undifferentiated and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD/MCTD). UCTD/MCTD is a chronic, progressive disease that can cause significant physical and emotional impairments. If you cannot work due to your UCTD/MCTD, you may be eligible for SSDI or SSI. To qualify for benefits, you will need to provide medical evidence of your diagnosis and how it affects your ability to function.
Can You Get Disability For Immune Deficiency Disorders Except For Hiv?
Immune deficiency disorders are conditions that weaken the body’s immune system. This can make it difficult for the body to fight infection and disease. People with these disorders may be at risk for serious health complications. You can get Immune Deficiency Disorders except for HIV and you must meet one of the following three conditions:
- You are undergoing a stem cell transplant. You will be considered disabled the following year and after evaluation you are still unresponsive to the treatment you will be disabled.
- You must have any one of these severe infections, meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis, septic arthritis, or sinusitis and that is not responding to treatment or requires hospitalization more than 3 times a year.
- You must have sufficient evidence of a reoccurring immune deficiency disorder.
Any individual with HIV infection, including one diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), may be found disabled under 14.11. If your HIV complications are not allowing you to work, you may be able to receive disability. It’s essential to stay connected with your doctor to manage your condition and secure the necessary paperwork for an SSA claim.
To qualify for disability benefits, you must show that your condition meets the SSA’s definition of a disabling impairment. This means that your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from working. The SSA will consider your medical records, test results, and other evidence to determine if you meet this criterion.
You might also like to read: Can You Get Disability For Arthritis In The Spine?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you live with an autoimmune disease?
The autoimmune disease can be a lifelong condition. However, many people with autoimmune diseases live long and healthy lives. Most people with autoimmune diseases can expect to live an average lifespan with proper treatment. However, some autoimmune diseases can be life-threatening. Treatments are available to help manage the symptoms and keep the disease under control. If you have an autoimmune disease, it is essential to work with your healthcare team to manage the condition and make sure you are getting the best possible care.
Can you get FMLA for autoimmune?
You can get FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) leave for an autoimmune disorder. The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid leave of 12 weeks, job-protected leave per year for specific family and medical reasons. An autoimmune disorder may qualify as a serious health condition under the FMLA if it meets the criteria set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor. These criteria include:
Requiring inpatient care in a hospice, hospital, or home care; or
Continuing treatment by a healthcare provider that includes one or more of the following:
A period of three consecutive days or more when you are incapacitated and also involves treatment two or more times by a healthcare provider; or
Treatment by a healthcare provider on at least one occasion results in a continuing treatment regimen and medication under the healthcare provider’s supervision.
If you have an autoimmune disorder that meets these criteria, you may be eligible for FMLA leave. For more information about the FMLA and how it can help you, please contact your nearest U.S. Department of Labor office.
What does autoimmune fatigue feel like?
Autoimmune fatigue is a feeling of extreme tiredness that is not relieved by rest. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle pain, joint pain, headache, and brain fog. Autoimmune fatigue can be debilitating, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities. There is no cure for autoimmune fatigue, but there are ways to manage it and improve your quality of life.
How did I get the autoimmune disease?
There is no definitive answer as everyone’s circumstances are unique. However, some common causes of autoimmune diseases have been identified. These include genetics, environmental factors, and infections.
Autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Several different factors can cause this. Genetics plays a role in many autoimmune diseases, meaning that if you have a family member with an autoimmune disorder, you are more likely to develop one yourself.
Environmental factors such as stress, exposure to toxins, and certain infections can also trigger the development of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, some autoimmune diseases are caused by malfunctions in the body’s regulatory T cells, which ensure that the immune system does not attack healthy tissues.
Wrap Up
Autoimmune diseaseas typically have no cure, since it is our own cells that are attacking us. Therefore, these diseases can wreak havoc on your body and cause you a lot of problems with your ability to perform daily functions and hold a job.
If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you should consult with a disability lawyer who can help put up your case with Social Security and get you disability benefits.
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