Dealing with chronic pain and the issues that come with it can be an isolating, depressing experience—but you’re far from alone. Chronic pain is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. There are 60 million Americans who live with it—roughly one in every four people in the country.
Fortunately, if you suffer from chronic pain, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, providing a potential source of critical help and support. The experienced lawyers at Rob Levine Law are here to determine whether your pain likely qualifies you for Social Security Disability and assist you with pursuing a claim. Contact our team today to learn more.
How Does Social Security Disability Work for Chronic Pain?
While the Social Security Administration’s guidelines do not list chronic pain as an approved condition on its own, pain from a qualifying health condition, such as a spinal injury, can be severe enough to meet the eligibility requirements.
The SSA determines eligibility for benefits based on whether a condition prevents the applicant from performing “substantial gainful activity,” which is essentially meaningful full-time work. You will likely undergo an examination to determine your residual function capacity, a measure of your remaining ability to perform work-related tasks despite your condition. If the SSA finds that your pain prevents you from holding a full-time job, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
Which Medical Conditions That Cause Chronic Pain Can Qualify for SSDI?
Any physical condition that causes pain severe enough to limit your ability to function on a day-to-day basis can potentially make you eligible for SSDI benefits.
Common conditions associated with chronic pain that qualify for disability include:
- Arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
- Herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and other conditions that cause chronic back pain
- Neuropathy caused by diabetes or other conditions
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cancer and pain caused by treatments
- Migraines and chronic headaches
Pain from fibromyalgia can also qualify for Social Security Disability, but there are specific criteria for eligibility. Under Social Security Ruling 12-2p, you must prove each of the following requirements to receive benefits for fibromyalgia:
- You’ve experienced widespread pain throughout all four “quadrants” of the body and in the spine, which has persisted in some capacity for at least three months.
- You must have a physical examination that finds at least 11 of 18 possible “tender points” throughout your body.
- You must have medical evidence ruling out other conditions as a potential source of your symptoms.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Chronic Pain?
Including various types of evidence in your SSDI benefits application can support your claim and raise your chances of approval. Some of the key types of evidence to consider include:
- Medical records: Any relevant documentation from your medical history that can help support your claim, including the diagnosis for your underlying condition, test results, and other records from your healthcare providers.
- Your doctor’s opinion: A letter from your doctor stating how they believe your condition is causing your pain and the degree to which it impacts your ability to function at work or at home.
- Functional capacity evaluation: The results of a medical examination determining your residual functional capacity, or the amount of work or activities you’re physically capable of performing.
- Supporting statements: Letters from your loved ones, friends, and colleagues that can attest to how your pain impacts your daily life.
What if Your SSD Application for Chronic Pain Is Denied?
If your application has been denied, rest assured that it’s not the end of the road. Many applicants are denied on their initial application but succeed later with guidance from experienced legal professionals, and the time it takes to get approved can vary widely.
The trusted Social Security Disability lawyers at Rob Levine Law can handle your appeal and pursue approval for the benefits you deserve. Our dedication to helping those in need has spurred us to recover over $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation for over 50,000 clients just like you.
With our Fee Free Guarantee®, you won’t pay us anything unless you win your case.
Contact us online or call (800) 742-3920 today for a free consultation.
