Can I work with Lupus?

Lupus is a disease which causes your immune system to react inappropriately, attacking healthy cells and organs in addition to unhealthy cells. This can cause a wide range of symptoms in lupus sufferers, depending on which body systems are being attacked at any given time.

While having Lupus does not automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does recognize that lupus is a potentially disabling condition, and there are specific criteria under which lupus sufferers may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

As with any other condition, to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to lupus, your condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least one year, or to result in your death. This is seldom an issue with lupus. However, your condition must also be considered severe enough to prohibit you from performing any work which is available and for which you are qualified or could reasonably be trained. Because the severity of lupus symptoms varies widely, many lupus sufferers are not considered disabled according to the SSA’s definition of disability.

Lupus and Your Ability to Perform Physical Work

If your lupus has involved systems which are needed to perform physical labor, you may find yourself unable to perform physically demanding tasks. When determining Social Security Disability eligibility, the SSA will take into account the various body systems which have been attacked because of lupus.

Those who have had major systems such as the respiratory system, musculature system, joint system, renal system, or other systems which affect your ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, push, pull, bend, or perform other physically demanding activities will be considered when determining whether you are still able to perform physical work.

The SSA divides physical work into heavy, medium, and light requirements. You will be required to show that you are incapable of performing any type of work which you have done in the past 15 years, and that you also cannot perform other work you may be qualified for which is less physically demanding. Light physical work requires lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds regularly. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, you will need to be deemed incapable of doing even light work for an eight hour day, five days per week.

You will want to make sure that all physical limitations are clearly spelled out both on your application and on all forms your doctor is asked to fill out. A Social Security Disability lawyer can prove valuable in helping you determine what kind of information the SSA is looking for to determine your disability.

Lupus and Your Ability to Perform Sedentary Work

Because lupus can result in painful flare ups which make even sitting for long periods of time extremely difficult, it is often possible to show that you are incapable of performing even sedentary work for any meaningful period of time. Other common symptoms such as headaches and the impact of lupus on your mental faculties may also be considered when determining the extent of your disability.

As with physical limitations, it is important to make sure that all mental and psychological conditions are fully noted in your Social Security Disability application, and that you fully document how they hinder you from performing any kind of meaningful work. Here again, a Social Security Disability attorney can help you determine what kind of information to include in your Social Security Disability application and will improve your chances of having your claim accepted.

People who suffer from Lupus can and do often qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Don’t be discouraged if your claim is initially denied (this happens in over 2/3 of all claims). Many claims which are initially denied are accepted in the appeals process, especially when the claimant is represented by a good Social Security Disability lawyer.