Social Security Disability Benefits for Skin Disorders

Most people have experienced minor skin problems that may appear unsightly, but get better with time. However, there are certain skin disorders that can reduce your ability to work, such as inability to hold or firmly grip items with your hands and cause restricted movements. If you are suffering from a skin disease that hampers your ability to fully utilize your work capability, there is a good chance that you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

What you need to Qualify for SSD Benefits for Skin Disorders

You must establish that you are under the care of a physician or specialist, and have been diligently following their instructions pertaining to treatments and medications. Often times, this is the most difficult requirement for claimants to fulfill, especially when they do not have extensive health insurance coverage, as dermatological treatments are generally expensive to administer.

However, regardless of your specific situation, the Social Security Administration requires you to provide accurate information about:

• Presence of skin disorders in family
• The appearance of skin lesions
• The size and location of the condition
• A complete list of stressors that may have caused your specific skin problem
• A history pertaining to any allergens, toxins, or irritants that you have been exposed to
• A complete description of ability to work when you are not exposed to any special environments
• Documentation to highlight the effect of changing seasons on your skin disorder

What Skin Disorders Qualify for SSD Benefits

The Section 8 of the SSA’s Blue Book features a list of skin orders with details and basic requirements for eligibility for SSD benefits. They are as follows:

• Dermatitis: It covers numerous skin conditions, and to be eligible for SSD benefits, you must have skin lesions for at least three consecutive months.
• Burns: To be eligible for SSD benefits due to burns, there must be skin lesions that have lasted for 12-months or more.
• Ichthyosis: Skin lesions must be spread over extensive parts of the body for three months or more.
• Chronic Mucous Membrane: This refers to skin infections with extensive skin lesions that are fungating or ulcerating for more than three months.
• Bullous Diseases: This entails having skin lesions for at least three months over extensive body parts.
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Both inguinal areas and both axillae must be affected for at least three months to qualify for SSD benefits with this condition.
• Genetic Photosensitivity Disorders: You can qualify for SSD benefits automatically if you are suffering from xereoderma pigmentosum. This is because such skin conditions are generally present from the time you were born. If not, your physical condition and medical reports should show that significant parts of your body are affected by skin lesions and the condition is expected to last or has lasted for 12 months or more.

Other skin conditions that are known to cause disability to some degree and make you eligible for benefits include:

• Shingles
• Dermatomyositis
• Chronic Skin Diseases
• Cellulitis

While there are well-defined guidelines for what is considered eligible for acquiring SSD benefits, the SSA conducts strict checks that make qualifying for benefits difficult. However, if you make your application in the right way and present all the supporting evidence while fulfilling the SSA’s requirements, you can drastically improve your chances of eligibility. It is recommended to work with an experienced Social Security disability attorney who can help you navigate through the process. Contact us today at (800) 608-8881 to schedule a consultation with our Social Security disability attorney.