When someone in Chicago or elsewhere is suffering from an illness or injury that makes working difficult, it can be extremely frustrating. Some people expect that they will work for many more years when a disability prevents them from ever working again. Fortunately, those who find themselves unable to work may be able to collect Social Security disability benefits.
There are many diseases that automatically qualify an individual for disability benefits. However, people who suffer from other diseases, like lupus, may find it harder to prove to the Social Security Administration that symptoms prevent them from working. But people should know that it is not impossible for someone suffering from lupus to receive Social Security disability benefits.
Someone who suffers from lupus must provide adequate medical records that prove chronic fatigue and pain prevent them from performing basic tasks. Because dealing with government agencies can be difficult, SSDI applicants may find it best to work with an experienced attorney.
Lupus has gained attention recently after celebrity Nick Cannon revealed he has a form of the disease. The somewhat unpredictable disease can cause damage to vital organs and often appears when the immune system is not balanced.
One Chicago resident knows how difficult it can be living with lupus. The 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. At first she experienced fatigue and swollen hands. However, the disease forced her to be hospitalized for six weeks after a blood clot was found in her kidneys. Seven years ago she received a kidney transplant.
The 64-year-old woman says Cannon’s lupus diagnosis will force him to adjust to a new lifestyle. In his case, it may mean cutting back on work. The same is likely true for anyone who is diagnosed with the disease.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Nick Cannon’s diagnosis of lupus puts condition in the spotlight,” Sandy Thorn Clark, Mar. 13, 2012
Tags: illness, injury, lupus, medical records, Social Security Disability benefits, symptoms
