Step 1: Understanding the Social Security Disability Requirements

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must meet the SSA’s strict criteria. Here are the basic requirements:

• Work History: You need to have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain number of years. The number of years depends on your age when you become disabled. If you haven’t worked long enough, you might be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is based on financial need and does not require a work history.
• Disability Definition: The SSA defines a disability as an illness or injury that prevents you from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death. Rheumatoid arthritis can be considered a disabling condition if it is severe enough to prevent you from working.

Step 2: Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Qualify for SSDI?

Yes, rheumatoid arthritis can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, but it must meet certain criteria set by the SSA. The SSA includes rheumatoid arthritis in its Listing of Impairments, a document that outlines medical conditions that are severe enough to qualify for SSDI if they meet specific criteria.

For RA, the SSA requires that the condition must be severe and cause significant limitations in your ability to perform work-related tasks. This includes the inability to use your hands, arms, or legs effectively for a sustained period of time. The SSA considers the following when evaluating RA for disability:

• Severity of the condition: Your RA must be severe enough that it limits your ability to engage in normal work activities. This means that you may experience difficulty walking, using your hands, or performing other tasks necessary for your job.
• Joint Deformities and Limitations: The SSA looks for signs of joint deformities, such as damage to the joints or the inability to move your joints within normal ranges.
• Symptoms and Treatment: The SSA will consider the severity of your symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and stiffness, and how they are managed through treatment. If RA treatments (like medications, physical therapy, or surgeries) have not improved your symptoms enough for you to return to work, this could help your case.

Step 3: Gather Medical Documentation

To strengthen your SSDI application, it’s essential to provide detailed medical evidence about your rheumatoid arthritis and how it affects your ability to work. The SSA will want to see:

• Complete Medical Records: This includes records from your doctors, specialists, and hospitals, detailing your diagnosis, treatments, medications, and any changes in your condition over time.
• Doctor’s Opinions: A letter from your rheumatologist or primary care doctor stating that your RA prevents you from working can greatly enhance your claim. The more specific and detailed the letter, the better.
• Test Results: Include any lab results, X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging studies that show the extent of your joint damage or inflammation caused by RA.
• Functional Limitations: Detailed descriptions of how RA limits your ability to function day-to-day are also helpful. This includes how you struggle with basic tasks like typing, lifting, walking, or standing for extended periods of time.

Step 4: Complete the SSDI Application

Once you have all your medical documentation in place, you can start the application process. You can apply for SSDI benefits in several ways:

• Online: The fastest and most convenient method is to apply online at the SSA’s official website (www.ssa.gov). You can fill out the application at your own pace and submit it when you’re ready.
• By Phone: You can apply by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and scheduling a phone interview to start the application process.
• In-Person: If you prefer, you can visit your local SSA office to apply in person. The SSA has many field offices across the country, and you can find one near you using the SSA’s office locator.

Step 5: SSA’s Evaluation Process

Once your application is submitted, the SSA will evaluate it using a five-step process:

• Step 1 – Are You Working?: If you are working and earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit (which is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals in 2025), you may not qualify for SSDI.
• Step 2 – Is Your Condition Severe?: Your RA must be severe enough to limit your ability to perform basic work activities. The SSA will assess how your condition affects your ability to complete tasks related to your job.
• Step 3 – Is Your Condition on the SSA’s List of Impairments?: If your rheumatoid arthritis meets the SSA’s criteria for disability (including severity, functional limitations, and medical documentation), you may be approved for SSDI under the Listing of Impairments.
• Step 4 – Can You Do Your Past Work?: The SSA will consider whether you can still do your previous job given your limitations. If you can no longer do your past job, the SSA moves to the next step.
• Step 5 – Can You Do Other Work?: If you cannot do your past work, the SSA will evaluate whether you can perform any other type of work based on your age, education, and transferable skills.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

Once the SSA has reviewed your application, it will issue a decision. If your claim is approved, you will begin receiving monthly SSDI benefits. This process typically takes 3 to 5 months but can take longer depending on the complexity of your case or backlog at the SSA.

If your application is denied, don’t be discouraged. Many claims are denied initially, but you have the right to appeal the decision.

Step 7: Appeal a Denial (If Necessary)

If you are denied SSDI benefits for rheumatoid arthritis, you can appeal the decision. The appeal process includes:

• Reconsideration: Request a reconsideration of your claim, and the SSA will review your case and any additional information provided.
• Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing where an ALJ will hear your case in person and may approve your claim.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can appeal to the SSA’s Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: If the Appeals Council denies your case, you can file a lawsuit in federal court.