You may qualify for SSDI for lupus in Chicago if you meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) work credit and medical eligibility requirements.
The SSA recognizes lupus as a disabling autoimmune condition if it meets the criteria outlined in the Blue Book listing or causes symptoms and complications severe enough to prevent full-time employment. Because lupus can impact multiple organs and lead to unpredictable flares, providing detailed medical evidence and consistent documentation is especially important for applicants. Understanding how the SSA evaluates lupus disability claims can help applicants in Chicago build stronger cases and improve their chances of approval.
If you can’t work due to lupus symptoms and complications in Chicago, call Ankin Law at 872-529-9377 for a free consultation about your disability benefits case.
Qualifying for SSDI for Lupus: Medical Requirements and Documentation
There are approximately 65,000 Illinois residents with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation, pain, and damage to multiple body systems. You can qualify for SSDI if you meet or equal the requirements for the Blue Book listing under Immune System Disorders. The Blue Book explains what conditions automatically qualify you for disability and the medical criteria SSA uses for evaluation.
Medical evidence is necessary to meet this listing, which may include:
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays
- Biopsy results
- Detailed reports from any doctors you’ve seen
- Documentation of prescribed medications and their effects
- Records of hospitalizations and other treatment records
To meet the lupus listing, your condition must affect at least two body organs or systems and cause additional severe symptoms, such as fever, extreme fatigue, or weight loss.
How Lupus Symptoms Affect Your Ability to Work Under SSDI Rules
If you don’t meet or closely match the Blue Book listing criteria for lupus, you can still qualify for SSDI with lupus if you can prove your symptoms and complications significantly compromise your ability to do your past work or any other type of work. There are no age restrictions for applying for SSDI benefits. However, people aged 50 or older may have a slight advantage when showing they cannot transition to new types of jobs.
Lupus symptoms vary widely, but many can directly impact work capacity. Severe fatigue, headaches, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or shortness of breath may make it difficult to stand, walk, or perform physical tasks for extended periods. Flares and remissions are common, and frequent flares may cause significant absences from work and long-term organ damage.
Cognitive and mental health symptoms, including confusion, memory issues, concentration problems, anxiety, and depression, also interfere with job performance. Nearly 50% of lupus patients develop kidney disease, which can be disabling and further reduce the ability to work.
Tips for Getting Your Lupus Disability Claim Approved in Chicago
Lupus and other autoimmune conditions can be unpredictable, which makes disability claims challenging. These steps may improve your chances of approval.
Comply With Prescribed Treatment for Your Lupus
Consistent medical records and the testimony from your doctors are crucial to the success of your claim. Adhering to your doctor’s advice and prescribed treatments enables you to have consistent documentation of your flare-ups and progression of the disease. Failing to follow your doctor’s orders could impact your claim negatively.
Consult an SSDI Lawyer
Consider working with Social Security disability attorneys to maximize your chances of winning disability benefits for autoimmune diseases. A Chicago SSDI attorney will know the complicated facts surrounding autoimmune diseases and how to qualify for disability for chronic pain and any other symptoms and conditions caused by these diseases. Your attorney will work with your doctors and other experts to gather comprehensive evidence to support your claim. An SSDI attorney will provide guidance and advocacy throughout the SSDI claims process.
Be Thorough in Your SSDI Application
Gather all relevant medical documentation and include it in your SSDI application. Provide detailed answers and descriptions of your condition and how it affects your life. Mistakes can delay the SSDI process, so be sure to go over your application with your lawyer again before submitting it.
Appeal a Claim Denial
When your lupus disability claim is denied, you should appeal the denial rather than give up or reapply. Lupus can alternate between flare-ups and remissions, making it prone to erroneous initial disability determinations. What’s more, based on data from 2013 to 2022, an average of 68% of initial applications for SSDI benefits are denied. Lupus may have caused more harm to your body by the time you reach the appeal hearing stage. An SSDI lawyer for lupus will testify on your behalf, present new evidence, cross-examine medical experts, and clarify anything that could’ve been overlooked to ensure your case is evaluated properly.
The experienced Chicago Social Security disability attorneys at Ankin Law have in-depth knowledge of the disability claims process. This knowledge allows us to help our clients navigate SSDI claims and get the maximum amount of benefits possible based on their circumstances. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. Call 872-529-9377.
