Autoimmune disorders happen when something goes wrong in your immune system, causing it to attack healthy tissues. They are also sometimes called rheumatic disorders or connective tissue disorders, and they can result in debilitating pain, extreme fatigue, and reduced mobility. If severe enough, they can prevent you from working, sometimes permanently.
If you have an autoimmune disorder, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Depending on your specific diagnosis, you may qualify quickly. Even if you do not, you might still be able to win benefits. The attorneys at the Disability Advantage Group, can help you prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your condition causes functional limitations that prevent you from working. We have the skill and experience to help you build your case.
We specialize in disability law. We have successfully won benefits for many clients, including those with autoimmune disorders. We know what to expect from the SSA and what your claim needs to include for approval. We can handle the whole claims process from beginning to end so you can focus on your health.
Are you ready to get started? Call 865-566-0800 today to set up a free appointment with a disability attorney. We can help you understand how to get disability for autoimmune disease.
Which autoimmune disorders qualify for benefits?
The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions it considers disabling. This list includes the following autoimmune disorders.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This type of lupus, frequently called SLE, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect any of several major organs or body systems. These include your respiratory system, renal system, hematologic system, neurological system, skin, and joints. SLE produces many debilitating symptoms, including fatigue, malaise, inflammation, and unexplained weight loss.
To win benefits for SLE, we need to show the SSA a valid diagnosis of this condition. For the best chance of approval, we need to include as much medical evidence as we can to demonstrate how it affects your ability to work and carry out activities of daily living. We can work with your treating physicians to gather evidence and make our case as compelling as possible.
Systemic Vasculitis
This condition, characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels, can occur as a reaction to medication or it can result from a chronic infection. It may also occur concurrently with SLE and other related autoimmune disorders.
To demonstrate you have the condition and qualify for benefits, we need to obtain specific medical evidence. This includes either angiography or a tissue biopsy. We work with your doctors to get this evidence along with all other supporting documentation we feel is necessary.
Systemic Sclerosis
A range of conditions involving the thickening of the skin comprises systemic sclerosis. Depending on the specific type you have, bodily systems affected could include the heart, lungs, kidneys, or gastrointestinal tract. It can also cause joint dysfunction from cutaneous thickening.
Because the condition is so broad, we work with your physicians to get as much specific evidence as possible that pertains to your condition and the particular effects it has on your functionality.
Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis
Muscle inflammation characterizes these two related disorders. They can cause muscle weakness, pain, and tenderness. There are a series of tests and examinations, such as electromyography and muscle biopsies, that can indicate the presence of either polymyositis or dermatomyositis. We consult with your doctors and order the proper testing to give us the evidence we need to prove your disability.
Undifferentiated and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
This category is a catch-all for autoimmune disorders that have symptoms similar to the above conditions but do not meet their specific criteria for diagnosis. We rely on medical tests, doctor statements, and medical literature to establish your connective tissue disorder as a qualifying disability.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis results when your body attacks the connective tissue in your joints. The most well-known form of this condition is rheumatoid arthritis. In order to receive benefits for inflammatory arthritis, we need to show that yours causes a severe limitation in activities of daily living and affects multiple joint groups.
Sjögren’s Syndrome
This autoimmune disorder frequently affects your salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in dry eyes and dry mouth, as well as more serious symptoms like corneal damage, difficulty or inability to swallow, and the inability to speak. The condition can also affect other bodily organs and cause even graver effects, including weight loss, gastrointestinal distress, and neurological problems.
If you have Sjögren’s syndrome, typically the documentation we receive from your doctor is sufficient to qualify for benefits. But as your attorneys, we ensure that your claim is complete and compelling.
When you apply for disability benefits, the SSA will evaluate the severity of your condition based on medical criteria specific to each condition. If you are unsure whether or not your autoimmune disease meets these strict criteria, contact our attorneys. We can help you understand what the SSA is looking for in each application.
How much money will I receive in disability benefits?
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to this question. Your benefit amount depends on your age, how long you have been working, and how much money you made—and paid in Social Security taxes—while working.
Here is what we can tell you:
- The average monthly benefit amount in 2017 is a little over $1,200 per month;
- The maximum benefit amountis over $2,600 per month;
- Your personal statementon the SSA’s website tells you how much you can anticipate receiving in benefits at any given moment; and
- As your attorneys, we fight to give you the best chance of approval for the maximum benefit amount for which you are eligible.
Call 865-566-0800 for disability help from the Disability Advantage Group.
The skilled attorneys at the Disability Advantage Group, want to give you the best chance of winning your disability case. You deserve compensation for your autoimmune disorder and we can get it for you. Let us put our experience and track record to work for you. The consultation is free, so come meet our attorneys and have all your questions answered. Call 865-566-0800 today for an appointment.