Does Arthritis Qualify For Disability? (Updated for 2024)

Is arthritis a disability? Can you get disability for arthritis? And how severe does my arthritis have to be to get disability benefits?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) currently benefits millions of Americans and their families. However, many people who could benefit from the program are either unsure that they qualify or are intimidated by the process.      

To see if your arthritis could qualify for disability, we must first understand how disabilities are evaluated.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that can be extremely painful as the tissue surrounding the joints and adjacent tissues are the areas affected as over time, the cartilage in joints will break down, which leads to inflammation and arthritis. 

There are many types of arthritis that affect people all over the world. The two main forms of joint pain are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder that affects the lining of your joints. After some time, it can harm your joint ligaments and bones resulting in stiffness and pain.

Osteoarthritis happens when ligaments in your joints wear out over time. Many people may wonder is arthritis a disability. Yes. Arthritis can prompt incapacity, as can numerous other mental and physical conditions that qualify for disability.

Is Arthritis A Disability?

Yes, arthritis is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration. If you cannot work because of your arthritis, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Since arthritis is seen as a disability, can you get disability benefits for arthritis? 

The answer to this revolves around your working ability following your arthritis diagnosis. More specifically, if your arthritis keeps you from working for at least 12 months, then you may be able to qualify for disability benefits with arthritis. However, you will need to provide evidence that your arthritis meets the SSA's definition of a disability as well as a Blue Book listing. 

To find out an exact estimate of how much money you could receive from disability benefits for arthritis, use our Social Security benefits calculator. 

There are eight different types of arthritis that qualify someone to receive Social Security disability benefits: 

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Gout
• Juvenile Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Pseudogout (CPPD)
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Reactive Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis 

But, in order to qualify for disability benefits because of arthritis, you will need to show medical evidence that you meet the specific SSA Blue Book listings for the type of arthritis that you have. You must submit medical evidence like MRIs, X-rays, and other evidence that shows the limitations that are caused by your arthritis. 

If you don’t have one of those eight types of arthritis but you have arthritis that is so severe it makes it impossible for you to work, you may be able to qualify for disability benefits with an RFC. Submitting a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) with your application for disability benefits can help demonstrate to the Social Security Administration panel how bad your arthritis is and exactly how it limits your ability to work. 

For example, if you have arthritis in your fingers so severe you can’t type or pick up a phone submit X-rays or MRIs showing your arthritis and submit an RFC describing all the things that you can’t do because of your arthritis that makes a strong case that you are not able to work and need disability benefits. 

Typically, people can still qualify for Social Security disability benefits if they have debilitating arthritis in their hands, knees, shoulders, backs, hips, fingers, wrists, or other body parts commonly impacted by arthritis. 

What Parts of the Body With Arthritis Can You Get Disability Benefits For?

You can get disability benefits for arthritis with any part of the body as long as you meet the basic requirements provided by the Social Security Administration. 

It’s possible to get arthritis in many parts of the body, but it is particularly common in the knees and hands as these two parts of the body are used constantly. Along with knees and hands, you can get disability for arthritis in your back, shoulders, elbow, and fingers. 

Disability linked with arthritis causes specific impairments such as the reduced mobility of joints, pain (acute or chronic), and body stiffness. In osteoarthritis which is the most common type of arthritis, the spine, the hands and the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and feet are the most affected.

Arthritis in the hands can make work difficult, and so some people find themselves unable to perform their usual jobs and must seek out financial assistance.

You can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits with arthritis. You will need to demonstrate that your condition makes you unable to perform the requirements of your job, which is why collecting medical evidence is the most important part of your application.

How To Qualify For Social Security Benefits For Arthritis

1. Determine If You Medically Qualify

Every SSDI application is reviewed during the Disability Determination Process, or DDS. During this process, a reviewer will look over your case and see if it fulfills the requirements for benefits laid out in the Social Security Blue Book.

The Blue Book, which can be viewed online, contains a list of disabilities (and their severities) that qualify for Social Security.

For example: if you are looking to see if your inflammatory arthritis qualifies for benefits, you would see section 14.00 - “Immune System Disorders”. Under this section is outlined four different qualifications for inflammatory arthritis to receive benefits. Either:

• There is persistent inflammation or deformity of your major joints,
• There is inflammation or deformity of your joints along with organ systems,
• There is an inflammation or deformity of the spine and/or its surrounding organs, or
• There are repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis that limit your movement, social functioning, and daily life.

Overall, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is more likely to qualify you for benefits the more severe your impairment is. If your arthritis is consistent, untreatable, severely debilitating, and/or prevents you from earning a living for more than one year, then the chances you will receive benefits are high.    

2. Gather Evidence 

Once you determine if you qualify for disability with arthritis, you will need to gather medical evidence to demonstrate that you do. This includes:

• x-rays and/or MRIs,
• blood work,
• use of any mobility devices (walkers, canes, crutches, etc.),
• treatment plans, 
• documentation of arthritis progress.

You may also consider having a doctor complete a Residual Functional Capacity on your behalf. This will explain how arthritis impacts your ability to work and complete daily living tasks.

3. Apply For Disability Benefits

When you are ready, you can apply for disability benefits a few different ways. You can apply online, over the phone, or in person at an SSA office. If you apply in person, make an appointment before you go. When you apply, you will need to have the following ready:

• adult disability checklist,
• Social Security Card,
• Birth certificate, 
• W-2 forms,
• medical evidence, 
• any information about other sources of income (such as workers' compensation).

Medical Vocational Allowance for Arthritis

Can you get disability for arthritis with the help of a medical vocational allowance? A sizable portion of people receiving SSDI do not have a Blue Book-verified impairment. This is due to medical vocational allowances.

These are awarded when the SSA determines that your disease is not listed in the Blue Book, but is severe enough to require benefits anyway.

If your type of arthritis is either unlisted in the book or is questionably severe, you may still qualify for social security through a medical vocational allowance.

To qualify, you must prove in your application that your arthritis is severe and debilitating enough to keep you from leading a normal life.

This means including evidence of every aspect of your impairment, from doctor’s notes to medical bills to tests, lab results, physical therapist's notes, and surgery reports. You can even have your doctor fill out an RFC form, which is an official medical assessment that demonstrates your ability to function with your impairment.

What Are My Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis?

Now that we've addressed the question, "Can you get disability for arthritis," let's turn to a discussion regarding what your chances are of getting disability for arthritis.

First and foremost, by providing an ample amount of medical evidence to back up your claim that you can no longer work because of your arthritis, you may be able to increase your chances of getting disability for arthritis. 

The specific medical evidence that could help increase your chances of getting disability for arthritis includes proof of disability from your doctor, details of the medical treatment you are receiving, your current symptoms, and the medications you are taking. While medical evidence is key to having a strong claim, there are a few other signs that you will be approved for disability. 

Around 63% of disability claims are denied initially so your chances of getting disability could increase by providing as much medical evidence to show the SSA that your arthritis is so severe that you cannot work because of it.  
 

Next Steps to Take

If you are considering applying for Social Security benefits, you should first consult with your primary care doctor. Not only can they provide copies of the paperwork necessary to apply, but their understanding of your medical history can help inform your decision.

You should also strongly consider speaking with a Social Security disability lawyer or disability advocate for disability benefits help. Their legal knowledge can help present your case as favorably as possible when applying for Social Security benefits, which is especially useful when your chances of qualifying are unsure. A disability lawyer will be able to you how much in disability you can get.

It is common for applications to be denied benefits, although you can appeal any such decision. Be sure to look out for the signs that you will be denied for disability. 

Sources

• 14.00 Immune System Disorders
• The Basics About Disability Benefits
• How You Qualify

Additional Resources

• What Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability
• Signs Your Disability Claim Will Be Approved
• What To Do For Income While Waiting For Disability
• Arthritis and Social Security Disability
• Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis
• How Long Does it Take to Get Disability Approval Letter
• What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability
• Can I Continue Working with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
• Denied Disability with Arthritis
• Is Arthritis a Disability?
• What Benefits Can I Claim If I Have Osteoarthritis
• Disability Lawyers Near Me
• What Is SSDI
• Difference Between SSI and SSDI
• Shoulder Replacement and Social Security Disability
• Osteoarthritis and Disability
• Are Social Security Disability Benefits Worth It? Here's Everything You Need To Know