Psoriasis And Disability Insurance

Last updated: May 2021

This question has come up a lot lately. Can I apply for disability if I have psoriasis?  Yes, you can. If your psoriatic disease prevents you from working you can absolutely apply for social security disability benefits.

Psoriasis symptoms can get very severe

Many of us can manage our chronic ailment with treatment. There are some people that no matter what they do, treatments don’t help them. Psoriasis symptoms can be very painful and swollen. It can bring you to tears.

Psoriasis symptoms can get very severe. This would be the time to apply for disability benefits.

Where to start with disability?

Statistics indicate that one in every five Americans is living with a disability.1 When it comes to life with psoriasis, there is physical damage along with emotional symptoms. Those living with psoriasis can experience pain and swollen joints.

The Department of Social Security has many different benefits for disabled people. It starts with an assessment by a professional. A few things you'll need as you apply for disability include:

Personal information including birth certificate and social security cardMarriage informationCurrent and 2 years prior work and salary informationPast 15 years job historyMedical records, medication you take, tests, doctor information.Workplace accommodationsI have had psoriasis for 56 years and psoriatic arthritis for over 30 years. I am lucky to have an employer that makes accommodations to my condition which allows me to stay employed. Even under the worst circumstances, under the Americans with Disabilities Act companies are required to provide accommodations for people with disabilities.Here are just a few things that an employer can do to make your work environment accomodating for you:Friendly grip pens and pencilsSpecialized chairKeep frequently used items within reachFrequent breaks to facilitate movementProviding hands-free phone headsetsFlexible schedule for doctor appointmentsIt's also important to be transparent and keep an open dialogue with your manager or boss. Let them know how psoriasis affects your job and what type of accommodation would allow you to do your job better.Alternative InsuranceContact your Human Resources Department about private insurance. There are two types of disability insurance long term policies and short-term policies.If you buy a private insurance policy, there are some things you should understand including the definition of disability for that insurance company, if they have a pre-existing clause and when will the benefits start after claim approval.Disability is a long hard journeyGetting disability benefits is not an easy task and is a time-consuming endeavor. Always be patient and always prepared. You can get help for this from a social worker, your doctor’s office, counselors, local hospitals, or attorneys.This is a long hard journey. People will ridicule us for applying for disability. Either way, we need to do what is best to prioritize our health. Let’s protect ourselves from getting worst and causing more challenges in our lives.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The PlaquePsoriasis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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