Living with spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the spine, can make everyday tasks challenging and employment almost impossible. Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be a necessity for people dealing with it to that degree, but the process can be overwhelming without taking the right steps.
TJ Geist, Principal Advocate at Allsup, shared valuable insights on a SpondyCast podcast with Jill Miller of the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA). The SAA’s Spondycast is a great resource for people dealing with spondylitis directly, as a caregiver or if you’d like to learn more about it. Geist’s discussion was featured in Episode 70 on July 31, 2024, titled “Navigating the Path to SSDI Benefits for Spondylitis Patients.”
SSDI And Spondylitis
SSDI is a federal insurance program providing financial support to people unable to work due to severe disability. It's funded by FICA taxes paid by working Americans. Unlike other disability benefits, SSDI eligibility is based on your work history and medical condition, not your current financial situation.
Spondylitis can cause chronic pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, mainly affecting the spine and other joints. For many, these symptoms worsen over time, making it harder to keep working. SSDI offers crucial income for those who can no longer work due to spondylitis, helping prevent financial hardship.
The Five-Step Evaluation Process For SSDI Applications
Understanding the approval process is easier with Geist’s tip on how to perceive the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) program. “Social Security is a medical records-based program,” said Geist. “It's also about the ability to function and not necessarily about the diagnosis.”
The SSA uses a five-step process to determine if you qualify for benefits, and these steps reveal their focus on functionality versus diagnosis:
- Working Status: You can not be working, or if you are, your earnings must be below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level set by the SSA.
- Condition Severity: Your condition must be backed by medical evidence showing it significantly limits your ability to work.
- The Blue Book: The SSA's Blue Book outlines conditions that automatically qualify for SSDI. Spondylitis falls under inflammatory arthritis.
- Assessing Past Ability: The SSA evaluates if you can return to any work you did in the last five years.
- Determining Current Ability: If you can't do past work, the SSA considers whether you could do any other type of work.
Common Misconceptions
Many misunderstandings cause people to be concerned about a wide range of things when they don’t need to be. Geist does a great job of clearing up some common myths.
- SSDI doesn't reduce future retirement benefits, but rather protects them by "freezing" your earnings record while disabled.
- SSDI isn't always permanent, as the Ticket to Work Program allows you to test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits.
- Applying for SSDI isn't simple. The complexity involved means using an experienced representative can greatly improve your chances of approval.
Your Medical Documentation Is Critical
Your medical records are crucial for a successful SSDI application. They should include detailed medical history, imaging results (X-rays, MRIs), and doctor's notes about your symptoms and limitations.
To increase your chances of approval, it’s essential to take an active role in managing your medical records. Here are some best practices:
- Maintain Regular Appointments: Make sure to visit your healthcare providers regularly. Also make sure your symptoms and limitations are always carefully documented.
- Describe Your Symptoms: Be very specific about how your condition impacts your daily life. Examples include not being able to drive, or only being able to clean your house for 10 minutes at a time due to pain.
- Ask for Detailed Reports: Including narrative letters or functional capacity evaluations that outline how your condition limits your ability to work.
- Keep Copies of Everything: Maintain a personal copy of all medical records, correspondence, bills and statements with the SSA. This may prove very valuable if you need to appeal a decision.
Geist points out that medical records can be sparse on details, which may mean the core issue is not properly described. In such cases, he suggests asking your primary doctors for more information in a specific way. “Can your doctor draft a narrative letter, or can they complete a questionnaire that outlines how your impairment impacts your ability to function? That can help supplement some missing pieces to the puzzle,” said Geist.
Using Experienced Representation Like Allsup
Having a professional SSDI representative can greatly improve your chances of SSDI approval and shorten the timeline to getting approved.
Allsup program experts will guide you through the application process, help gather and submit medical evidence and make sure you meet important deadlines. If your initial application is denied, a representative can manage the appeals process and maximize your chances of a successful outcome.
It’s About Improving Chances
Applying for SSDI with spondylitis can be challenging, but with the right guidance, you can have a better chance of being approved. As Geist emphasized, having an experienced representative can make a significant difference. If you're considering applying for SSDI, think about reaching out to a professional representative like Allsup for help navigating the process and securing the disability benefits you need.
Learn More About
- What's involved with filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- How to calculate your SSDI benefit payment.
- Your SSDI eligibility status and how to get started online.
- How Allsup helps make the critical difference in SSDI claim approval.
- Refer a friend who could use help with SSDI.
Allsup can be reached by calling 800-678-3276 or contacting us online.
