SSD approval for autoimmune conditions usually takes between 3 and 6 months, provided you are among the 30-35% of applicants whose applications are approved on the first attempt. Because autoimmune conditions can be complex and variable, proving disability may be more challenging than in some other cases.
If your application is declined, the appeal process takes an additional 3-5 months, and getting a hearing before an administrative law judge may take 12 – 24 months. To qualify, your condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months.
Which Autoimmune Conditions Qualify You For SSD Approval?
Lengthy as the process may be, SSD approval is a lifeline for people living with disabling autoimmune conditions. Typically, these include:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Systemic Vasculitis
- Systemic Sclerosis
- Polymyositis
- Dermatomyositis
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Immune Deficiency Disorders (other than HIV)
- Sjörgen’s Syndrome
- Myasthenia Gravis
Your medical history should document your diagnosis, treatment, and functional limitations. It includes lab results, doctor’s notes, and specialist reports showing that your condition is disabling.
Your First Attempt Approval May Be Crucial to You
To qualify for SSD approval for an autoimmune condition, you would ordinarily have been unable to engage in substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months at a minimum. According to the Social Security Administration, you are likely to wait an average of 5 months for a decision.
If your claim is denied and you must appeal, the process can take well over a year, and your financial circumstances may be distressing. Additionally, many people must first navigate an appeal and experience an additional delay before approval.
Why Autoimmune Claims are Challenging
The debilitating effects of autoimmune conditions fluctuate between remissions and flare-ups. You may be able to function quite normally at times, while symptoms intensify at others, making it difficult to work and earn a living.
This variability may make it difficult to prove the functional limitations and provide the medical evidence that would qualify you for SSD assistance. Adding to your difficulty in demonstrating disability, lab results do not always reflect the severity of your condition.
How You Can Improve Your Chances of Approval
Steps you can take to improve your chances of approval include:
- Regular medical consultations and ongoing treatment records may help demonstrate the impact of your condition. When there are treatment gaps, decision-makers may query the severity of your symptoms.
- Reports from specialists such as rheumatologists or neurologists provide further details about your medical prognosis.
- A symptom journal, though subjective, may add weight to your claim when you consistently report on the effects of your condition in a way that supports your medical records.
- Following your treatment plan shows that you are compliant with treatment recommendations, highlighting your efforts to overcome the debilitating effects of your condition.
Apart from working with your medical team, consider consulting a disability attorney who is well-acquainted with the requirements you must meet to qualify for social security disability benefits. Having someone to advocate for you, advise you, and manage documentation may help you to get the help you need sooner.