According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “arthritis is a leading cause of work disability among US adults.” Amid the different types of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, a painful autoimmune disorder, in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints. There is no cure for this disease, and while there are treatments available, they do not work for every patient.
Because rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and often progresses to affect several minor and major joints, many workers with this medical condition find it difficult or impossible to continue working. If you suffer from this disease, you might be wondering what your options are regarding disability. Let’s take a look at whether or not having rheumatoid arthritis qualifies you for disability.
Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Is Arthritis a Disability?
Simply being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis does not qualify you for disability. However, if your ability to work is greatly affected or impaired by your condition, then with the proper documentation, you may be entitled to SSA disability benefits.
The exact requirements that a person must meet to qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis are defined by the SSA blue book under Section 14.09. In general, a person must be able to provide documentation that rheumatoid arthritis has greatly affected their joints or constitution, and this has limited their ability to perform their job.
For example, you can qualify for disability with rheumatoid arthritis if you have experienced one of the following:
- Inflammation or deformity of the major joints in your arms and legs, and it has led to an inability to walk without a walker and perform fine motor movements with your hands
- Inflammation or deformity of the major joints in your arms and legs along with two organs or body systems being moderately to severely affected, and you’ve experienced weight loss, fatigue, fever, and/or malaise
- Repeated flare ups with weight loss, fatigue, fever, and/or malaise, along with a limitation of daily activities, social functioning, or the ability to turn in tasks on time
There are some comorbidities (conditions that are often experienced along with another condition) with rheumatoid arthritis, including hypertension and osteoporosis. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis also experience other autoimmune disorders, such as Lupus, Sjogren’s, and other connective tissue diseases. So, if you don’t qualify for disability under the guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible you might qualify based on the progression of other comorbidities and conditions. Refer our FAQs page to get answers for common questions related to Social Security Disability (SSD) and SSI.
What You’ll Need to Apply for Disability With Rheumatoid Arthritis
As long as you meet one of the requirements listed in Section 14.09 and you’re unable to work, you qualify for disability benefits. In order to receive those benefits, you’ll need to provide documentation that proves these limitations. This documentation can include:
- Medical evidence showing the progression of your disease
- A physical examination with a rheumatologist that indicates the severity of your symptoms and your limitations because of those symptoms
- Blood tests, x rays, and other lab work that shows the progression of the disease.
- Documentation of how you have responded to treatments
- A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form filled out by your doctor
Qualifying for Social Security Disability with Rheumatoid Arthritis: What You Need to Know.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and it’s affecting your ability to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we’ve helped many clients with RA successfully apply for and win disability benefits.
Requirements for Disability Benefits
In order to successfully obtain disability benefits, you must establish several propositions with your medical records and other evidence. These propositions include the following:
- You are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity
- Your disabling condition is severe
- The Social Security Administration recognizes your condition as disabling
- You cannot perform your past work because of your condition
- You cannot perform other work
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes rheumatoid arthritis as a disabling condition. This recognition means that the SSA generally grants your claim once you establish the first three propositions.
Substantial Gainful Activity Defined
The first proposition of a disability for rheumatoid arthritis requires you to show you cannot perform substantial gainful activity (SGA). In this context, substantial gainful activity means work that generates over $1,470 per month. If you are also statutorily blind, the value of earnings considered to be SGA is $2,460 monthly.
Earning More than SGA Means No Disability Benefits
If you can work and earn more than the applicable SGA limit, then the Social Security Administration will not consider your claim further. Instead, the SSA will deny your claim, and you will not receive disability benefits.
When your doctor initially diagnoses you with rheumatoid arthritis, you may be experiencing some pain but still able to work a near-full-time schedule. If this is the case, you may make more than the SGA limit and wait until your disease progresses before seeking disability benefits.
You Do Not Have to Wait for Benefits Until You are Completely Disabled
Once your rheumatoid arthritis progresses to a point where you cannot work and earn over the SGA limit in any given month, though, your claim should be able to proceed. No requirement says you must be incapable of making income before seeking disability benefits.
Therefore, it is possible you could recover some disability benefits before your rheumatoid arthritis forces you to cease all work activities.
When Should You Apply for Disability Benefits?
If your RA symptoms are making it difficult or impossible to work, it may be time to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. You may qualify if you:
- Can no longer perform your job duties
- Have had to reduce your hours or stop working
- Have been terminated due to performance issues related to your condition
See also Taking Social Security Disability Assistance While Working
Why RA Disability Claims Are Often Denied
Unfortunately, many RA-related disability claims are wrongfully denied. This often happens when the impact of the disease isn’t fully documented or clearly presented to the Social Security Administration.
How a Disability Attorney Can Help
Working with an experienced disability attorney can make a big difference. At Hiller Comerford Law, we help clients:
- Gather strong medical evidence
- Clearly explain how RA affects their ability to work
- Navigate Social Security’s complex rules and procedures
- Present a persuasive case to a judge
We understand what the SSA is looking for and how to build a case that gets results.
What to Do if You Want to File for Disability
It’s not uncommon for people who develop rheumatoid arthritis to seek social security disability benefits. In one study, 35% of patients ended up filing for disability within 10 years of their initial diagnosis. If you are suffering from this condition or any others and are no longer able to work, there is help available. How much money you’ll receive is dependent on the income you received in the past.
Keep in mind, SSA disability is different than Long Term Disability (LTD), which is typically offered through an employer and often has limitations on how long you can receive benefits, whereas SSA does not. It is possible to receive both, however, LTD benefits can interfere with how much SSA you qualify for.
If you’re ready to file for disability, the first step is to work with an attorney or disability advocate. Because the SSA application and approval process is complex and can take a long time, working with an experienced attorney can help you make sure you fully complete all the necessary steps, and they can help you file for an appeal should you need to.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, PLLC, our attorneys offer skilled guidance through the SSA disability application process. We have successfully represented thousands of clients in Buffalo New York. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability?
Watch this video by dedicated Buffalo disability attorney Justin Goldstein, Esq. as he answers if rheumatoid arthritis is considered a disability.
See also Can I Get Disability for Crohn’s Disease?
We’re often asked if rheumatoid arthritis can be a condition considered by Social Security. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that Social Security does consider. Rheumatoid arthritis causes both physical and mental limitations that could affect someone’s ability to work on a full-time basis.
Social Security looks at rheumatoid arthritis at step three under the medical listings of inflammatory arthritis and also connective tissue disorder. You could be found disabled based on what your medical doctors have said in their medical notes.
This is why it’s very important for your doctor to explain how your conditions affect you and also to make sure that you get treatment with a specialist such as a rheumatologist and get medical documentation of how your conditions affect you.
Not only can your rheumatoid arthritis affect you, but also the side effects from medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis can affect your ability to work. If you have any questions regarding rheumatoid arthritis, feel free to call us for a free consultation, and we’ll answer all the questions that you may have.
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, PLLC, our attorneys offer skilled guidance through the process. We have successfully helped thousands of clients receive Social Security benefits in a timely manner. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Buffalo social security disability attorney.
How the SSA Evaluates Rheumatoid Arthritis
The SSA recognizes that rheumatoid arthritis is more than joint pain. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage joints, cause inflammation, and lead to severe fatigue. Some people also have flare-ups that make movement almost impossible.
When reviewing a rheumatoid arthritis disability claim, the SSA typically evaluates:
- How long have you had rheumatoid arthritis
- How often do you experience flare-ups
- How your symptoms affect daily activities
- Whether treatment has improved your condition
This information helps the SSA decide whether your condition meets its requirements for disability benefits.
When Joint Pain and Swelling Limit Daily Tasks
Many people with RA experience difficulty performing routine tasks, including:
- Gripping or lifting objects
- Typing or writing
- Standing or walking for extended periods
- Reaching or bending
- Getting dressed or preparing meals
These functional limitations help the SSA understand how rheumatoid arthritis affects your ability to maintain full-time employment.
Why Medical Records Matter Most
Medical evidence plays a central role in any Social Security disability claim for rheumatoid arthritis. The SSA relies heavily on documentation from healthcare providers rather than personal reports alone. Helpful records include:
- Rheumatologist notes
- Medication history
- Imaging results
- Lab findings
- Notes about flare-ups and treatment changes
Detailed medical documentation strengthens your case and helps demonstrate the severity of your condition.
SSA’s Blue Book Listing for Rheumatoid Arthritis (14.09)
The Social Security Administration evaluates rheumatoid arthritis using the SSA Blue Book Listing 14.09, which outlines the medical criteria used to determine whether an autoimmune condition is severe enough to qualify for disability benefits. This listing focuses on how rheumatoid arthritis affects joint function, mobility, and the ability to perform everyday activities.
What Listing 14.09 Covers
Listing 14.09 focuses on the functional limitations caused by rheumatoid arthritis, including joint damage, inflammation, and systemic symptoms. The SSA reviews medical records to determine how the condition affects both individual joints and overall physical function.
You may qualify under this listing if RA causes:
- Major joint swelling
- Severe stiffness
- Trouble using your hands
- Trouble walking
- Fatigue that limits daily tasks
The SSA also evaluates whether multiple joints are affected and whether those limitations interfere with basic movement and daily functioning.
Symptoms and Complications SSA Looks For
SSA knows rheumatoid arthritis is not the same every day. They look for long‑lasting symptoms that affect your ability to function, including:
- Ongoing joint pain and swelling
- Limited movement in hands, wrists, or knees
- Difficulty standing, walking, or gripping
- Morning stiffness that lasts for hours
- Frequent flare-ups
- Fatigue that affects concentration
- Damage seen in X‑rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds
SSA also looks at the impact of related problems, like anemia or lung issues, which some people with RA develop.
When You May Qualify Under the Listing
You may meet Listing 14.09 if:
- You cannot use your hands for simple tasks
- You cannot walk without help or without stopping often
- You have a major joint deformity
- You have repeated flare-ups that keep you from working
- Your imaging and lab results support your symptoms
- Your treatment has not controlled your condition
Even if your condition does not meet the listing exactly, you may still qualify through another evaluation process called a Residual Functional Capacity assessment.
Medical Evidence Needed for a Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability Claim
Strong medical evidence is the most important part of a Social Security disability claim for rheumatoid arthritis. The SSA reviews medical evidence to determine how your condition limits daily functioning and work capacity. The right records can make the difference between approval and denial.
Rheumatologist Treatment Records
SSA gives the most weight to records or an opinion statement from a specialist, such as a rheumatologist. These doctors specialize in autoimmune diseases like RA, so their notes carry more credibility.
Helpful details include:
- Frequency of flare-ups
- Joint swelling or deformities
- Pain levels
- How well you move your hands, wrists, knees, and ankles
- Changes in your treatment plan
If you do not see a rheumatologist, SSA may think your condition is not as severe. Regular care from a specialist builds the strongest case. A rheumatologist is often the best doctor to help someone with rheumatoid arthritis manage their symptoms.
Imaging and Lab Results That Support Your Claim
Objective medical tests help confirm the presence and progression of rheumatoid arthritis.
Common imaging tests include:
- X rays
- MRIs
- CT scans
- Ultrasound imaging of joints
Laboratory testing may include:
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)
- Anti CCP antibodies
- ESR or CRP inflammation markers
These tests help document diagnostic criteria and functional impacts like inflammation and joint damage that support a disability claim.
Medication History, Side Effects, and Failed Treatments
Your medication history helps SSA understand how RA affects you and how well your treatment works.
Important details include:
- DMARDs or biologic medications
- Pain medications
- Steroids
- Injections
- Side effects
- Medications you tried that did not help
Showing that you have attempted multiple treatments can strengthen your claim.
Why Consistent Treatment Strengthens Your Case
SSA wants to see that you follow your treatment plan. Gaps in care can hurt your case unless you explain them. Many people stop treatment because of cost, transportation issues, or side effects. These can be real barriers, and they can be explained. If you wish to stop a medication or treatment, only do it in consultation with your doctor and with her approval.
Consistent care shows:
- Your symptoms are ongoing
- You are doing your best to manage RA
- Your condition is not improving
If treatment gaps occur due to cost or other barriers, those circumstances should be explained in your claim.
How Your Work Limitations Impact Your Claim
Social Security does not approve disability benefits based on a diagnosis alone. They look closely at how rheumatoid arthritis affects your ability to work. This is where your daily limits matter most. Even if you don’t meet the SSA Blue Book listing, you can still qualify if your work limits show you cannot keep a full-time job. This means you should not diminish your symptoms or avoid talking to your doctor about your problems. Your medical records need to reflect your real day-to-day experiences and the impacts of your impairments.
Difficulty Using Hands, Wrists, and Fingers
The SSA recognizes that hand limitations can reduce your ability to work in most full-time jobs. Many people with RA struggle with hand and wrist pain. This can make simple tasks slow, painful, or impossible.
Common problems include:
- Trouble gripping tools
- Difficulty typing or texting
- Pain when writing
- Struggling to lift light objects
- Trouble opening bottles or packages
These limitations can affect many types of jobs, including office work, service jobs, and manual labor positions. It is well recognized within SSA’s rules that almost all sit-down jobs are significantly eroded by limitations in hand use. This is clear in thinking about jobs that involve computers, phones, cash registers, or tools.
Standing, Walking, and Grip Limitations
Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the knees, ankles, and feet. This can make standing or walking hard, especially on bad days or during flare-ups.
You may notice:
- Needing to sit down often
- Trouble standing longer than 10–15 minutes
- Pain when walking across a room or putting weight on your feet
- Balance problems
- Needing a cane or walker
- Trouble lifting even small items
The SSA looks at how long you can stay in one position and how far you can walk without stopping.
How Flare-Ups and Fatigue Affect Work Performance
Flare-ups can happen at any time. They can last hours, days, or longer. During a flare, your joints may swell, and your fatigue may be severe.
Flare-ups can cause:
- Missed workdays
- Reduced productivity
- Trouble focusing
- Needing extra breaks
- Difficulty completing tasks on time
The SSA understands that unpredictable symptoms can make full‑time work unrealistic.
SSA Residual Functional Capacity Evaluation
If you do not meet the Blue Book listing, and most cases do not, the SSA will evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity. This review examines what work activities you can still perform despite your medical limitations.
The RFC assessment may evaluate:
- How long you can sit or stand
- How much weight you can lift
- Your ability to use your hands
- How often you need breaks
- How frequently you may miss work
The SSA uses this information to determine whether any jobs exist that match your limitations.
Common Reasons Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability Claims Are Denied
Even strong claims for rheumatoid arthritis can get denied. This is frustrating, especially when your symptoms make work impossible. Understanding the most common reasons for denial can help you avoid mistakes and build a stronger case from the start.
Gaps in Treatment
The SSA expects to see regular medical care. If you have long breaks between appointments, the SSA may think your RA is not severe.
Gaps can happen for many reasons:
- Cost
- Transportation issues
- Losing health insurance
- Severe side effects from medication
These are real barriers. You can explain them in your application or appeal. You can also talk to your doctor about your reasons for delays between appointments. Conversations with your doctor will usually be noted in your medical file and become part of your evidence. Clear explanations help SSA understand your situation.
Not Seeing a Specialist
If you only treat with a primary doctor or general physician, you can still make a claim for disability benefits. Report to your doctor any symptoms of pain, joint damage, inflammation, and flare-ups. If your primary doctor recommends that you see a rheumatologist, think about making an appointment with one. A specialist can enhance the quality of evidence in your claim.
A rheumatologist can document:
- Joint swelling
- Deformities
- Flare-ups
- Failed treatments
- Mobility problems
Specialist notes often carry more weight than general medical records.
Insufficient Imaging or Lab Results
The SSA looks for objective proof of rheumatoid arthritis. If you do not have recent imaging or lab tests, the SSA may decide there is not enough evidence. Talk to your doctor about getting updated lab reports. This is probably good for your medical treatment as well as for your disability claim.
Helpful tests include:
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Ultrasounds
- ESR and CRP
- RF and anti-CCP antibodies
These tests show inflammation, joint damage, and disease progression.
Poor Documentation of Flare Ups
Flare-ups are unpredictable. They can cause severe pain, swelling, and fatigue. Many claims are denied because the SSA does not understand how often these flares happen or how long they last.
To avoid this problem:
- Keep a flare-up journal
- Note missed workdays
- Tell your doctor when flares happen
- Ask your doctor to include flare-ups in your medical notes
Flare-up documentation helps SSA see the full picture of your condition.
How to Strengthen a Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability Claim
A strong rheumatoid arthritis disability claim is built on clear records, consistent treatment, and honest details about how your condition affects your daily life. Small improvements in your documentation can make a big difference in your approval chances.
Tracking Daily Pain and Flare-Ups
Flare-ups are one of the hardest parts of rheumatoid arthritis. They can come on fast and last for days. SSA needs to understand how often they happen and how they affect you.
Keeping a simple journal helps show:
- Days you cannot get out of bed
- Tasks you cannot finish
- Pain levels throughout the day
- How long each flare lasts
- Missed work or appointments
Your journal can support your doctor’s notes and help SSA see the full picture. Be precise: in identifying dates and times of flares and how long they last, be precise. Be descriptive: in detailing your pain level, your difficulties, and how the flares affect you, be descriptive.
Getting Supportive Opinions From Your Doctor
A supportive medical opinion can carry a lot of weight. SSA wants to know what your doctor thinks about your ability to work.
An attorney will know the functional and symptom-related questions that are important to SSA. If you do not have an attorney, ask your doctor to describe:
- How long you can sit or stand
- How much you can lift
- How often you would miss work
- How flare-ups affect your function
- Whether pain affects your focus or speed
These details help SSA understand your true limits.
Keeping Detailed Medication and Side-Effect Logs
Rheumatoid arthritis medications can cause strong side effects. These can affect your energy, focus, and ability to work.
Track:
- Each medication
- Dose changes
- Side effects
- How long the side effects last
- Missed doses and why
This helps show SSA that your treatment is not simple and may limit your work options.
Why Legal Help Improves Approvals
Many people get denied even when they have strong cases. A Social Security disability lawyer understands SSA rules and knows what evidence works.
A lawyer can help you:
- Gather missing medical records
- Understand the Blue Book listing
- Prepare for an appeal
- Strengthen the weak areas of your claim
- Explain gaps in treatment
- Communicate with Social Security
- Work with your medical providers to obtain strong medical evidence and opinions
A lawyer improves your chances because they know what SSA needs to see and what causes delays or denials.
When to Appeal a Denied Rheumatoid Arthritis Claim
A denial can feel overwhelming, but it is very common. Many people with strong rheumatoid arthritis claims get approved after they appeal. The appeal process gives you a chance to fix issues, add missing evidence, and explain your symptoms more clearly.
What to Fix While Appealing
While your appeal is pending, review the reason for your denial. SSA usually explains what was missing.
Common problems you can fix include:
- Missing imaging or lab results
- Gaps in treatment
- Not enough detail about flare-ups
- Limited notes from a rheumatologist
- Missing medication history
- Incomplete work history
You can submit new medical records and updated statements from your doctors. This new information can strengthen your case.
How to Submit Stronger Evidence
Your appeal needs to show SSA the full picture of your rheumatoid arthritis.
Strong evidence includes:
- Updated rheumatology visits
- New X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds
- Notes showing severe flare-ups
- Treatment changes
- Medication side effects
- A detailed doctor’s opinion on your limits
The more complete your evidence, the easier it is for SSA to see why you cannot work full-time.
Timelines and What to Expect
If your claim is denied, you typically only have 60 days to appeal. Missing this deadline can force you to start over. Check your denial to make sure you have 60 days to appeal.
Appeals often involve:
- Requesting reconsideration
- Requesting a hearing with a judge
- Sharing new medical records
- Explaining gaps in your treatment
- Answering questions about your daily life
Most approvals happen at the hearing level, where you can explain your symptoms in your own words.
Summary: What SSA Looks for in RA Disability Claims
Rheumatoid arthritis can limit your life in many ways. The SSA understands this, but they need clear proof before they approve disability benefits. The strongest claims show how RA affects your daily tasks, your joints, and your ability to work full-time.
The SSA looks for:
- Detailed rheumatologist records
- Imaging and lab results
- Notes about flare-ups
- Consistent treatment
- Medication history and side effects
- Clear work limitations
- Honest details about your daily struggles
- A medical opinion that supports your contentions of disability
If your records show long‑lasting symptoms, major joint problems, or limits that affect full-time work, you may qualify for disability benefits for rheumatoid arthritis. Even if SSA denies your first claim, the appeal process gives you another chance to show the full picture of your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting, persistent condition in which your body’s immune system attacks the tissue lining your body’s joints. When your immune system attacks this tissue, it can cause the tissue to swell and become painful. In more extreme cases, your joints can become deformed and difficult to use.
It is not just your joints that can suffer because of rheumatoid arthritis. The condition can also affect your other organs, skin, vascular system, and eyes.
It is presently unknown what causes rheumatoid arthritis to develop. Once diagnosed, you may experience times when the pain and stiffness seem to be more pronounced, known as “flare-ups.” Periods of remission can follow, during which symptoms seem to subside or go away altogether.
See also Can I Get Social Security Disability Assistance for Alcohol or Drug Addiction?
How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Disability Develop?
In rheumatoid arthritis’s early stages, you may notice the joints of your fingers, toes, hands, and wrists are tender and swollen and that your joints feel stiff. Your joints may feel painful, but you can usually continue caring for yourself independently and working.
Initially, you may find it difficult to grasp small objects like pens and cabinet knobs. As the condition progresses and spreads to other joints and parts of your body, it can become prohibitively painful to use your hands, sit for long periods, or carry loads of any weight. During these latter stages, it may be too painful to continue working.
How Does RA Affect Your Ability to Work?
Many people with RA experience:
- Joint pain and stiffness that limits movement
- Swollen feet that make walking or standing painful
- Difficulty typing, writing, or grasping objects
- Fatigue and brain fog that affect focus and productivity
- Trouble sitting or standing for extended periods
Even with medication, some individuals find it impossible to keep up with the demands of their job.
