Living with Lupus: What You Need to Know

 Posted on October 28, 2022 in Social Security Disability

If you suffer from lupus, you know how difficult it can be sometimes to do even the most basic things. Simply getting out of bed in the morning can be a struggle, let alone going to work and providing for your family. While there may not be a cure for this serious autoimmune disease, there are some things that may be able to help you. In addition, you might also qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What Is Lupus?

In order to understand how lupus can affect your ability to work, it is important to first understand what the disease is. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. The immune system normally protects the body from infection and illness. However, in people with lupus, the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues.

This can cause inflammation and damage in various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Lupus can also cause mild to severe fatigue, as well as other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, hair loss, and headaches. There is no one test that can definitively diagnose lupus. Instead, doctors will often use a combination of tests and physical examinations to make a diagnosis. There is no cure for lupus, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.

Lupus and Your Ability to Work

If you have lupus, you may find it difficult to maintain gainful employment. The fatigue caused by the disease can make it hard to concentrate or even stay awake during the day. The pain from lupus can also make it hard to stand or sit for long periods of time. In addition, people with lupus are at an increased risk for developing other health problems, such as heart disease, which can further limit their ability to work.

The good news is that if you are unable to work due to your lupus, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits. To qualify for benefits, you must first meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disabled. In order to be considered disabled by the SSA, you must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of your medical condition.

If you are not working or not earning more than the substantial gainful activity threshold, the SSA will then consider whether your lupus meets or equals a listing in their impairment listings manual, also known as the “blue book.” The blue book contains a list of all the impairments that the SSA considers to be disabling. Unfortunately, there is no specific listing for lupus. However, there are listings for some of the more common complications of lupus, such as kidney disease and heart disease. If your lupus has caused you to develop one of these complications, you may be able to get disability benefits based on that listing.

Apply for Benefits With the Help of a Dallas SSDI Lawyer

If you are unable to work because of your lupus, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The application process can be long and complicated, but an experienced Texas disability attorney can help make sure that your application is complete and accurate, and we can represent you at any hearings that may be necessary. Call 972-671-9922 today for a free case evaluation with a member of the team at The Law Offices of Coats & Todd today.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789

https://www.lupus.org/resources/about-social-security-disability