To help Graves' disease readers of this website understand the process of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits, Ram Meyyappam, a writer for the Social Security Help Blog, has written the following article. Hearty thanks to Ram.
Applying for Disability Benefits with Graves' Disease
As an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland, Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. In many cases it can be effectively treated, but for some, the disease can be quite debilitating even with treatment. While Graves' disease is not among the conditions the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers inherently disabling, it can qualify for benefits if it prevents you from working and earning a gainful living.
Medically Qualifying for Benefits
The SSA maintains a listing of medical conditions it considers potentially disabled along with the medical evidence or criteria necessary for proving disability for each condition. While there is no listing for Graves' disease, it is still possible to qualify. The process is a bit different, but the outcome of receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits is the same.
There are two ways in which you may qualify for benefits:
- Matching or meeting another listed condition
- Meeting the requirements for a medical vocational allowance
Uncontrolled Graves' disease can lead to a number of serious complications. These include stroke, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety, among others. It may be possible for you to qualify for benefits under the listing for a complication from which your suffer.
Even if you are unable to closely match or exactly meet a listing for another related condition, you may still be able to qualify by showing your "residual functional capacity" (RFC) is so limited that you cannot work in any job for which you would otherwise be qualified.
The SSA will complete an RFC analysis to make this determination. If that analysis shows the combined effects of all your medical conditions leave you so impaired that you're unable to work, then you will be granted benefits under a medical vocational allowance.
The Disability Programs
The SSA maintains two disability programs for which you may be qualified:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Both programs require you to medically qualify, but both also have technical/financial eligibility requirements.
For SSI, you must have very limited income and other financial resources available. For SSDI on the other hand, you must have worked long enough to earn sufficient work credits. For more information on SSA disability programs
Applying for Benefits
Extensive medical evidence is the key to any successful disability claim, and medical documentation becomes even more crucial when applying with a condition such as Graves' disease, for which there is no dedicated disability listing.
Be sure to provide the SSA copies of as many of your medical records as possible and ensure you include evidence documenting every medical issue you deal with with, even if it seems minor or unrelated, as their combined effects may prove to the SSA that your overall limitations prevent your from working.
Other supporting documentation is also important, particularly when proving disability through an RFC analysis. This documentation may include:
- Attendance and other employment-related records
- Statements from former employers, friends, family members, and caregivers
- A detailed statement from your doctor, outlining all of your medical conditions and the manner in which their combined effects limit your everyday abilities, including your ability to work.
The SSA also needs to see details about your work history, education, and finances. The application requests these details in multiple locations. Be sure you're consistent and accurate in the information you provide.
You can submit your application online at the SSA Website. or in person at your local SSA office. If you apply online, drop by the local office after submitting your application to provide them the copies of your medical records. If you decide to apply in person instead, call ahead to schedule your appointment. Ram Meyyappam April 25, 2014
Graves' patients, be sure to include any eye symptoms or conditions of Graves' ophthalmopathy, and and cardiac and psychiatric symptoms and signs. Elaine