- Why People in Fairmont Turn to Berger and Green for Disability Help
- How Lupus Can Affect Your Ability to Work
- Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits With Lupus?
- Understanding the Social Security Disability Application and Appeals Process
- Seek Disability Benefits for Your Condition in Fairmont, West Virginia, Today
Lupus can make it difficult to keep working, especially when symptoms interfere with daily routines, energy levels, and the ability to stay consistent on the job. When that happens, Social Security Disability benefits may provide important financial support. Applying for benefits or dealing with a denial can feel complicated and stressful. A Fairmont lupus lawyer from Berger and Green can help take that burden off your shoulders.
If lupus has disrupted your ability to work, a Fairmont, West Virginia Social Security Disability lawyer at Berger and Green is ready to help you take the next step. Call us now to get started with a free consultation.
Why People in Fairmont Turn to Berger and Green for Disability Help
Choosing the right disability law firm can make your life easier when you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits. For more than 40 years, Berger and Green has helped injured and disabled individuals pursue the benefits they need. Our lawyers have represented thousands of clients, including people with serious autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
Many disability claims involve complicated medical histories and multiple diagnoses. In one case, we represented a woman with lupus and other serious conditions whose health had forced her to stop working. Although the Social Security Administration recognized her disability at a later date, we successfully argued that her condition had prevented her from working much earlier and helped her obtain additional months of retroactive disability benefits.
At Berger and Green, we focus on making the disability process easier so our clients can focus on their health. We offer free case evaluations, and in some situations, we can even arrange home or hospital visits.
40+ years of experience from strong, knowledgeable, compassionate attorneys.
Start A Free EvaluationHow Lupus Can Affect Your Ability to Work
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect many different systems in the body. Because the condition often involves periods of worsening symptoms followed by temporary improvement, many people struggle to maintain reliable, full-time employment. Even when someone tries to keep working, lupus can make it difficult to meet normal workplace expectations.
For some individuals, lupus affects the joints and muscles, making physical tasks painful or exhausting. Others experience severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties sometimes called “lupus fog,” or complications involving organs such as the kidneys, heart, or lungs. These limitations can interfere with concentration, stamina, and the ability to complete routine work activities.
We know you’re hurting. We can help. Free case evaluations, home and hospital visits.
Contact Us Now For HelpWho Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits With Lupus?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two disability programs that may provide benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To qualify for either program, you must demonstrate that your condition prevents you from performing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This does not mean you must already be out of work for a full year. Instead, the SSA evaluates medical evidence to determine whether your condition is expected to keep you from working for that length of time.
SSDI eligibility is also based on work history. Most applicants need about 20 work credits, which typically equals around five years of work, although younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. SSI is available to individuals with limited income and financial resources who cannot work because of a disabling condition.
Why Lupus Disability Claims Can Be Difficult to Prove
Lupus can create serious limitations, but proving disability to the Social Security Administration is not always straightforward. Many symptoms are not always visible during a brief medical appointment, and the severity of the condition can change over time.
Because lupus often involves periods of flare-ups and temporary improvement, the SSA looks closely at medical records to understand how the condition affects a person over time. Documentation from treating physicians, test results, and consistent treatment history can play an important role in demonstrating how the condition limits daily functioning.
In some cases, individuals with lupus are denied benefits initially because the full impact of their condition is not clearly reflected in their application. When that happens, applicants still have the right to pursue benefits through the appeals process.
You need an attorney with the experience and dedication to give your case the care it deserves.
Start A Free EvaluationUnderstanding the Social Security Disability Application and Appeals Process
Seeking Social Security Disability benefits typically involves two phases: the initial application and, if necessary, the appeals process.
Filing the Initial Disability Application
The first step is submitting an application to the Social Security Administration. The application requires detailed information about your medical condition, work history, the doctors or medical facilities that have treated you, and other relevant information, like resources and assets for SSI.
The SSA reviews this information along with your medical records to determine whether your condition meets its definition of disability. This evaluation focuses on how your condition affects your ability to perform work-related activities.
If you work with Berger and Green, our team can complete and file your disability application and ensure the SSA receives the necessary information about your condition and medical treatment.
What Happens if Your Claim Is Denied?
Many disability applications are denied at the initial stage, particularly for complex conditions like lupus that can involve fluctuating symptoms and a complicated medical history. A denial does not necessarily mean you are not disabled or that you cannot still receive benefits. When this happens, applicants have the right to request a review through the Social Security disability appeals process.
The first step is reconsideration, where the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews the claim again. If the claim is denied a second time, the next step is requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). ALJ hearings allow applicants to present their case in greater detail and may take place by phone, by video, or in person.
If the Administrative Law Judge denies the claim, applicants can request a review from the Appeals Council, which examines whether the judge’s decision followed Social Security rules and procedures. In some cases, individuals may also pursue further review in federal district court.
Throughout the appeals process, a Fairmont lupus lawyer from Berger and Green can represent you and continue pursuing the disability benefits you are seeking.
We can address all the legal hurdles that may be keeping you from getting a fair settlement.
Speak To An Attorney TodaySeek Disability Benefits for Your Condition in Fairmont, West Virginia, Today
Lupus can create unpredictable challenges that make it difficult to continue working, even for people who have spent years building their careers. When your health begins to interfere with your ability to earn a living, navigating the Social Security Disability system can add another layer of stress and uncertainty.
A Fairmont lupus lawyer at Berger and Green can help you move forward. Whether you are preparing your first disability application or appealing a denial, our attorneys can guide you through each stage of the process. Call our team to get started with a free consultation now.
