Can You Get Social Security Disability for Lupus?

Yes, you can get Social Security Disability for lupus, but only if your condition meets certain rules. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does consider lupus a qualifying disability. Still, getting approved for benefits isn’t easy.

You need strong medical proof and must meet specific standards. The SSA denies many people the first time they apply, even if they have serious symptoms. That’s where our South Carolina Social Security Disability lawyer can help. 

These claims often involve complicated records, strict rules, and appeals. A lawyer who knows how the SSA reviews lupus cases can guide you, build your case, and stand up for your rights. If lupus has made it hard for you to work, our SSDI lawyer will handle the legal steps while you focus on your health.

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. That means your immune system attacks healthy parts of your body by mistake. This can lead to inflammation and damage to various organs, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

There are different types of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). People with SLE may deal with:

• Constant fatigue
• Swollen joints
• Chest pain
• Skin rashes (especially a butterfly-shaped rash across the face)
• Fevers
• Kidney problems
• Memory or concentration issues

Symptoms can come and go. Some people have flares followed by periods of relief. For others, lupus becomes more constant and disabling.

Does Lupus Qualify as a Disability Under SSA Rules?

Yes. Lupus is listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, sometimes called the “Blue Book.” You can view the SSA’s official Blue Book at ssa.gov.

To qualify under this listing, your lupus must:

• Involve two or more body systems or organs (such as the kidneys and lungs), with at least one showing moderate or severe symptoms; or
• Cause repeated episodes of serious symptoms, with at least two major flares in a year that require doctor visits and last for days or longer.

You must also show that lupus makes it impossible for you to work. This includes your past jobs or any other work you could reasonably do based on your age, education, and skills.

How Our Social Security Disability Lawyer Handles Lupus Claims

Hiring a lawyer makes a big difference in challenging cases like these. A lawyer can:

• Review your case and give honest feedback
• Help you collect medical records and doctor statements
• Complete all SSA forms correctly
• File your application or appeal
• Represent you at a disability hearing

If you’ve already applied and were denied, don’t give up. Many cases are won during the appeals process with the right legal help.

When to Apply for Disability Benefits

You should apply for benefits as soon as lupus prevents you from working full-time. You don’t have to wait for your condition to get worse. Just keep in mind:

• Your lupus must already last (or be expected to last) at least 12 months or result in death.
• You will need to show recent work history to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

It can take several months to get a decision. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can get help.

What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Your Lupus Disability?

SSA decisions are based heavily on medical evidence. If you’re applying for disability benefits, you’ll need documents like:

• Detailed records from your doctors: These should explain your symptoms, diagnosis, treatment plan, and how lupus affects your ability to function.
• Lab results or imaging reports: These might show inflammation, organ involvement, or other signs of lupus.
• Treatment history: This includes medication types, how your body responded, and any side effects.
• Statements from your doctors: They can explain your daily limitations and why you are unable to work.
• Your own description of your daily life: This explains how fatigue, pain, or flares limit your activities.

SSA may also require you to attend a consultative exam with one of their doctors.

What if Your Condition Doesn’t Meet the Blue Book Listing?

You can still get approved through something called a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment. This is where the SSA looks at how your condition limits your ability to:

• Sit, stand, or walk for long periods
• Lift or carry objects
• Focus on tasks or complete them on time
• Attend work regularly without too many breaks or absences

If your RFC shows that you can’t work—either at your past job or any other job—you might still qualify for benefits, even if you don’t meet the Blue Book criteria exactly.

Why Are Lupus Disability Claims Often Denied?

Lupus is a hard condition to document. Symptoms can come and go, and lab results may not always clearly show how serious your condition is. The SSA may say:

• Your lupus isn’t “severe” enough.
• You can still do some type of work.
• You don’t have enough medical records or doctor’s visits.
• You have not followed all treatment plans.

An experienced disability attorney can help avoid these issues by gathering the right evidence, preparing detailed forms, and representing you if the SSA denies your claim.

How to Prepare a Social Security Disability Claim for Lupus

Getting ready to file a disability claim for lupus takes time and careful planning. Here are the steps that can help you build a strong case:

• Keep detailed medical records: Make sure your medical records clearly show your lupus diagnosis. These should come from a specialist, like a rheumatologist. Your records should also explain how lupus affects your body and how often you have flares.
• Track your symptoms: Write down when you have flare-ups and how they affect your daily life. Include things like pain, fatigue, or trouble concentrating. These notes can help show how often your symptoms come back and how severe they are.
• Follow all treatments: The SSA wants to see that you are managing your condition. Go to regular doctor’s visits, take prescribed medications, and follow all medical advice. If you stop treatment, it could hurt your case.
• Ask your doctor for a statement: Your doctor can write a letter explaining how lupus affects your ability to work. This is sometimes called a medical opinion or functional assessment. It should describe your limits. For example, if you can’t sit or stand for long, or if you need to rest during the day.
• Gather work and education history: The SSA will look at your past jobs and skills to decide if you can do any type of work. You must give details about your work history for the past 15 years.
• Be honest and complete on all forms: When filling out SSA paperwork, don’t leave out details. Be clear about what you can and cannot do. If you are unsure, a disability lawyer can help make sure your forms are filled out the right way.
• Consider legal help: Applying for disability is hard, especially for a condition like lupus that has ups and downs. A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather the right proof, file your claim, and appeal if you’re denied.

Our Lawyer Will Handle Your SSD Claim for Lupus—Call Us

At Pilzer Klein, disability law is all we do. Our team puts our extensive experience into helping people in South Carolina get the benefits they need and deserve. If lupus has taken away your ability to work, we are ready to take on your case. 

We know that lupus Social Security Disability claims can be challenging to handle, so let us help you through it. When you call our office, you will speak directly with an attorney, not a call center. We don’t charge attorney’s fees or costs unless we win your case. 

Let us take the pressure off so you can focus on your health. Call today for a free consultation.