Steubenville Lupus Disability Lawyer

Does lupus affect your ability to work full-time in Steubenville, Ohio? In that case, you might be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits that help pay your medical bills and household expenses. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of lupus can make it difficult to hold a job you need to secure your financial future. Thus, you can apply for benefits as soon as you learn of your diagnosis and whether it will keep you from working for at least 12 months.

Our legal team can make the claims process easier to manage. A Steubenville lupus lawyer with Berger and Green can determine if you qualify for SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and help you apply for one or both. In addition, we can challenge a denial from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s healthy tissues and compromises its immune system. The Mayo Clinic notes the condition likely occurs from a combination of a person’s genetics and environment. Potential triggers include sunlight exposure, infections, or medications.

Common symptoms include tiredness, fever, joint pain, rashes, and skin lesions. However, since no two cases are identical, everyone’s symptoms can differ. Thus, aggressive cases could cause sufferers to limit their work hours—or not work at all.

SSA Considers Lupus a Qualifying Impairment for Disability Benefits

The SSA’s Blue Book lists lupus as a qualifying impairment for disability benefits in Section 14.02 – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In general, your medical evidence must meet the American College of Rheumatology’s current Criteria for the Classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The SSA says the criteria appear in the most recent Primer on Rheumatic Diseases edition published by the Arthritis Foundation.

To qualify for disability benefits, you generally must show your condition affects two or more organs—including the skin—or body systems. Body systems include the following:

• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Neurological system
• Renal system
• Hematologic system
• Mental system
• Immune system

Proving How Lupus Affects Your Life

SSA requires applicants to show the following:

• They have severe symptoms affecting either (or both) their organs or body systems.
• They have at least two symptoms or signs that characterize SLE (e.g., severe tiredness, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).

Applicants may also need to show they experience repeated manifestations of SLE, with at least two of the symptoms or signs mentioned above and at least one of the following at a marked level:

• Limited daily living activities.
• Limited time maintaining social functions.
• Limitations on completing tasks promptly because of decreased concentration, persistence, or pace.

Our attorneys will use your medical records and other evidence to prove your claim.

Berger and Green Can Help You Seek SSD Benefits for Lupus

Our Steubenville lupus attorneys know that proving how your medical condition affects your earning ability can become complicated. In addition, you might find it challenging to navigate the appeals process alone while focusing on managing your health and well-being.

Still, you have a right to seek benefits that can help you. Thus, we can answer any questions that you have about Social Security disability benefits eligibility and lupus. In addition, we can do the following:

• Offer a free case evaluation.
• Determine which benefits you could receive (SSDI, SSI, or both).
• Identify relevant medical evidence and other documents that support your benefits case.
• File your initial disability benefits application.
• Review an SSA denial to learn why it rejected your SSI or SSDI application and prepare your appeal.
• Appeal your case before the Appeals Council and beyond if you don’t receive a favorable outcome.

We customize our strategy according to the specifics of our clients’ cases. In addition, we know how the disability benefits process works and can advise you on what the SSA requires and what to expect regarding your case’s timeline. Finally, we will take care of all paperwork in your case and ensure you meet all deadlines pertaining to your case.

What’s the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?

SSA could approve you for SSDI benefits, SSI benefits, or both. However, you might not know which you qualify to receive or which application to file, but that’s where we come in. We will determine which benefits you could recover.

Briefly, the benefit types differ according to how much a worker pays into the Social Security system during employment. For example, those who paid into the system can apply for SSDI benefits, while those who didn’t could be eligible for SSI benefits. If you qualify for both, you must fill out different applications.

We Can Work on Your Steubenville Lupus Case Without Upfront Fees or Costs

Berger and Green is ready to work on your behalf now. If SSA sent you a notice of a rejected claim, you only have 60 days to file a request for consideration or a hearing. Unfortunately, if the 60-day period expires, you must reapply and risk losing the back pay you could recover with your initial claim.

If the cost of hiring an attorney is a concern, we want you to know you don’t have to pay upfront for us to start on your case. Instead, we accept Social Security Disability cases on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if SSA approves your claim, and you receive benefits.

Here are a few reviews from past clients we have helped:

• “They were just very compassionate and understanding, and they let me speak. They let me explain what was going on. They took the time, they took the effort, and it was … a phenomenal experience.” – Arthur
• “I personally had a great experience with Berger and Green. They answered all my questions in a timely manner. I would highly recommend them completely.” – Carol

Call Us Today – Our Steubenville Lupus Lawyers Are Ready to Help

Berger and Green’s disability attorneys have helped many people in Eastern Ohio pursue disability benefits that help them cover their financial needs while managing their medical condition. So, did you receive a lupus diagnosis and find it difficult to maintain a job? We can help you apply for SSI or SSDI benefits.

When we speak with you, we will review your rights and options you could pursue. So, there’s no need to wait. Contact us today for your free consultation.