As one with chronic joint pain, you know better than most people in California just how disabling such a condition can be. That pain and discomfort is often compounded when it comes as the result of trauma or a deformity.
This separates your joint pain from what another person may feel from standard wear-and-tear. The question then becomes whether if you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits should your joint pain keep you from working.
Proving continuing joint pain
A stigma may exist regarding those that seek SSD benefits (that being that many may simply want to “game the system” and avoid working). This adds an unnecessary element of embarrassment to your frustration at not being physically able to work.
You can take comfort in knowing that only those who meet the strict standards set forth by the Social Security Administration qualify for benefits. Thus, your qualification validates the fact that your condition keeps you from working.
Per the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, one important criteria for qualifying for disability benefits due to joint pain is demonstrating an inability to perform physical work that impedes you (or your medical providers anticipate impeding you) for a period of at least 12 consecutive months. Furthermore, that impediment must also require the need for an ambulatory assistance device, or limit your ability to perform fine move in either one or both your upper extremities.
Understanding additional SSD qualification criteria
In addition, to qualify for benefits, you must demonstrate your chronic pain manifested by abnormal movement or instability in the affected joint, with the presence of the underlying abnormality confirmed by either a physical examination or imaging studies.
