Autoimmune disorders are serious medical conditions that may require extensive healthcare treatment. Lupus is one example of an autoimmune disease that may disrupt your life—it could even prevent you from working in Los Angeles.
You may qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you cannot work due to the effects of lupus. However, the SSA may deny your initial claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In this situation, you may want to reach out to a Los Angeles lupus lawyer to get help building an appeal.
Find out more about how you could secure benefits if you get a lupus diagnosis by calling (800) 794-0444 to reach Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free case review with a team member.
Our Team Understands the Severity of Lupus
Many people face a challenging battle just to receive a diagnosis with lupus. This autoimmune disorder, as the Mayo Clinic explains, does not express itself in the same way in all patients. In fact, it often varies from person to person. In addition, the symptoms of lupus do not generally remain at a consistent level. Instead, they may “flare” up, causing you to feel worse for a time before you improve.
Lupus remains a serious autoimmune condition. This disorder could impact many systems throughout your body, including your:
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Heart
- Lungs
- Skin
- Joints
- Blood cells
Individuals affected by lupus may run high fevers or experience fatigue. You may experience chest pains, headaches, and stiffness in your joints. Additionally, many people who experience lupus will develop a butterfly-shaped rash across their face. This rash is one of the most common symptoms of lupus.
Demonstrating the Severity of Your Lupus Diagnosis
Lupus does not always cause the same level of harm to your body systems as it does to others. You may go for significant periods with your lupus in relative “control.” During these periods, you may be able to go about your daily life fairly normally.
However, lupus flare-ups may happen at any time. During a flare-up, you may be unable to work for a significant period. While you are dealing with symptoms caused by your immune system disorder, you could qualify for SSDI benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). To secure benefits, you may need to demonstrate that your condition affects at least two body systems or organs with:
- At least one body system or organ affected to a moderate degree.
- At least two “constitutional symptoms.”
The SSA provides clear-cut definitions for organs or body systems that could be impacted by lupus. These systems include your:
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Neurological system
- Renal system
- Hematologic system
- Mental system
- Immune system
- Skin system
You will also find a specific list of “constitutional symptoms” associated with a lupus diagnosis in the SSA regulations. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Severe fatigue
- Malaise
- Involuntary weight loss
If you have multiple body systems affected by lupus or certain constitutional symptoms, you could qualify to receive disability benefits for a lupus diagnosis in Los Angeles.
For a free legal consultation with a Lupus Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Establish Proof of the Impact of Your Diagnosis
It is not sufficient to merely state that you have lupus in order to secure disability benefits in Los Angeles. Instead, you must provide the SSA with information from a medical professional. You must have a lupus diagnosis from a medical professional before you receive any SSDI benefits.
An attorney can help you gather information from medical assessments and tests. A Los Angeles lupus lawyer may step in to get your medical records in order, which could demonstrate the severity of your condition.
Note that, in some cases, you may receive SSDI benefits for lupus if you have repeatedly demonstrated severe symptoms and the disorder:
- Limits your ability to perform daily living activities.
- Limits your ability to maintain social functioning.
- Limits your ability to complete tasks in a manner that would be considered timely.
You may want to get legal help reviewing your application for SSDI benefits by contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We understand how to handle tough cases, and we may be able to take charge of your SSA appeal to get you disability benefits here in Los Angeles. Call today to get started.
Los Angeles Lupus Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Get Help Understanding SSDI Benefits in California
It is not unusual to receive an initial denial for SSDI benefits. In some cases, you may secure compensation by appealing the SSA’s initial decision. However, you may be unable to secure benefits if:
- You did not work in a job and pay payroll taxes.
- Your condition has not impacted you for several months.
- Your condition is unlikely to affect you for more than a year.
In these situations, you may not qualify to receive SSDI benefits. This situation is especially true if you did not pay payroll taxes. SSDI benefits are only available to individuals who paid into SSA for a significant amount of time—generally around 10 years.
However, you could still be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. These benefits are not tied to your work history. Instead, you may receive SSI benefits based on your level of financial need.
Both SSDI and SSI benefits can help you cover the costs of your expenses if you are unable to work because of a lupus diagnosis. However, neither of these benefits are designed to replace your lost income entirely. SSDI or SSI benefits may only provide you a percentage of what you would normally earn working in Los Angeles.
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Contact a Los Angeles Lupus Lawyer Immediately
Were you diagnosed with lupus in Los Angeles? If so, you could be eligible to receive disability benefits through SSDI or SSI coverage. If you received an initial denial of your claim, you might want to work with a Los Angeles lupus lawyer on your appeal for compensation. You can get legal help on your side by contacting Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation.
Begin working on your initial claim or an appeal by completing our online contact form or calling (800) 794-0444 to speak with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
