Some chronic illnesses are unpredictable. You might feel reasonably well for a few days, only to have a flare-up that leaves you unable to get out of bed, much less go to work. You might feel great one day – and promptly overdo things, throwing your entire system out of whack for a week.
Conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease can all cause symptoms that vary considerably from day to day. If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), does having good days mixed with bad days make you ineligible?
You don’t have to be incapacitated every day to qualify for SSDI
When the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates your claim, the focus is on whether your condition affects your ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. Chronic illness that flares can be disabling simply because it is impossible to maintain regular employment due to the unpredictable nature of your condition. SSA will consider things like:
- Unpredictable or frequent absences: Flare-ups may force you to miss several days of work without warning, week after week and month after month, and the recovery time from a flare can be extensive.
- Difficulty working a full day: Fatigue, pain or other symptoms may prevent you from consistently completing a full workday, and you may need more than an occasional short break to recover.
- Reduced concentration and brain fog: Pain, fatigue or medication side effects may interfere with your ability to stay focused while working, even when you are physically present.
Any one of these limitations could create problems at work.
Documenting your condition becomes especially important
The challenge with fluctuating conditions is that medical appointments may happen on relatively good days. Your doctor might not see you when your symptoms are at their worst.
Keeping a pain or symptom journal can help document how often flare-ups occur, how long they last and what limitations you have. It’s also important to tell your doctors about these episodes so your medical records reflect the full picture. Records of missed work, reduced hours and unsuccessful attempts to keep working can also show the way your condition affects you.
The question isn’t whether you can function on your best days. It’s whether you can work consistently despite your medical limitations. If you’re struggling to get your SSDI claim approved, speaking with an experienced attorney can help.