If you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you may find day-to-day activities like work to be challenging. More than half of people with psoriasis report it has an impact on their career.
Psoriasis on your hands or feet, for example, may make it hard for you to use a keyboard or stand for long periods of time. The situation can be even worse if you have PsA, as it affects mobility. One survey found that about 80% of people with PsA said that they were under- or completely unemployed as a result of their disease. Over 40% said it made it hard to do physical tasks, and about a third said flares led to missed work and made them less productive.
Is Psoriasis a Disability?
Psoriasis can be considered to be a disability, and people who qualify may be able to receive financial support or specific workplace accommodations.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates skin problems including psoriasis if you apply for their financial disability benefits.
The SSA manages two disability income programs for those who cannot work due to a medical issue. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) gives benefits to you and possibly family members if you already worked and paid into the system. Social Security Income (SSI) provides funding for disabled adults and children with limited income.
If you have psoriasis, you may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law doesn’t call out psoriasis as a disability, but it does require your employer to provide reasonable accommodations if you can prove you have a disability.
Accommodations can include:
- An accessible workplace
- Ergonomic (designed for comfort) workstations and equipment
- A modified schedule
Why Isn’t Psoriasis Considered a Disability?
The CDC defines a disability as a mind or body condition that makes it hard to do certain activities. Psoriasis can be considered a disability depending on the standards used.
You may be able to get accommodations under the ADA. The SSA says psoriasis can be considered a disability under the skin disorders section. You may not be able to collect monetary payments from the SSDI or SSI if the agencies don’t think your psoriasis is disabling.
Is Psoriatic Arthritis a Disability?
Psoriatic arthritis causes joint swelling and pain and can impair mobility.
Psoriatic arthritis falls under immune system disorders, according to the SSA. In order to collect monetary payments from the SSDI or SSI, the agencies must determine that your PsA disables you from working. The agency will review your medical records and other background information to make that determination.
The ADA doesn’t list psoriatic arthritis as a disability, but you may be protected by it if you can prove you need accommodations.
How to Get Disability Benefits When You Have Psoriasis
If you want to try to get financial assistance, apply to the SSA. The agency will review your medical records and background information to see if your psoriasis qualifies as a disability and warrants monetary support. Ask your employer or doctor about receiving ADA accommodations.
Who Should Consider Applying for Disability?
If you have psoriasis and feel that it affects your ability to use your hands, walk, or stand, you may want to consider applying for disability. Ask your doctor if they think you may qualify.
If you have psoriasis and feel that it affects your ability to use your hands, walk, or stand, you may want to consider applying for disability. Ask your doctor if they think you may qualify.
Apply online or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local SSA office. You can also make an appointment to file a claim over the phone. You can have an attorney or other advocate assist with the process.
How to Get Disability Benefits When You Have Psoriatic Arthritis
If you want to try to get financial assistance, apply to the SSA. The agency will review your medical records and other background information to see if your psoriatic arthritis qualifies as a disability and warrants monetary support.
If you think you need ADA accommodations, schedule a meeting with your boss or human resources leader to discuss how psoriatic disease may affect your work. Explain what the condition is and how it affects you. Let them know if you have frequent doctor appointments that will require you to take time off work.
Put any accommodation requests in writing, reference the ADA, and stress how the accommodation will allow you to do your work well. This establishes a paper trail if you have any issues later on.
How to Apply for Disability When You Have Psoriatic Arthritis
Apply online or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local SSA office. You can also make an appointment to file a claim over the phone. An attorney or other advocate can assist with the process.
Psoriasis Disability Tips and Accommodations
If you’re thinking about asking for an accommodation at work for psoriasis, think about what limitations you’re experiencing. How can your employer make your job easier, protect you more, or help you prevent a flare?
From there, you can think about what considerations may work best for you. These may include:
- Moving to a space with different lighting to avoid photosensitivity
- Being able to work from home during extreme temperatures, which can cause a flare
- Adding heating, cooling, or ventilation equipment
- More frequent cleaning of your workspace to avoid infections or cleaning with products for sensitive skin
- Permission to take extra breaks
Psoriatic Arthritis Disability Tips and Accommodations
You may be able to request certain accommodations to make it easier and less painful for you to work with psoriatic arthritis.
Accommodations you may want to consider include:
- Being able to work from home during extreme temperatures, which can cause a flare
- More frequent cleaning of your workspace to avoid infections or cleaning with products for sensitive skin
- Permission for extra breaks
- Using specialized equipment to ease pain or discomfort
- Modifying your tasks or workstation so you don’t have to stay in one position too long
Psoriasis and the Military
If you are a service member and have psoriasis or other skin conditions, you may be able to file a disability claim. You may want to seek out a lawyer specializing in these claims. It involves getting your medical information that links your psoriasis to your military service. You’ll also have to file out an intent to file a claim and possibly undergo a pension or compensation hearing. After that, it could take months to get the process approved.
Before you file a claim, you’ll have to determine what type of disability you have. In the military, there are three types of service connections for a disability claim. They include:
Presumptive service connection. The military presumes your psoriasis or other skin condition is connected to your military service. For example, if you were exposed to Agent Orange during your time in the service. In this case, you would not have to prove that your psoriasis is connected. It would be the military’s burden to prove.
Primary service connection. You can prove that your psoriasis or PsA was caused or worsened by military service. You will need proof from a medical professional, including medical records.
Secondary service connection. You developed psoriasis or other skin conditions as a result of another service-connected condition. For example, if your psoriasis caused social isolation that led to depression, you may be eligible for a secondary service connection.
Once you’ve determined whether your psoriasis or PsA is service connected, you’ll need to:
- Show a current diagnosis from a medical professional
- Show a specific injury, in-service event, or illness related to psoriasis
- Show a medical connection between the in-service event and psoriasis
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rates psoriasis and other skin conditions based the following factors:
- How much of your body is affected
- How severe the symptoms are
- Where the condition is on your body
- How visible the condition is
- How much treatment is needed to manage your condition
The VA uses all this information to come up with a scale for compensation called the VA Schedule of Ratings Disabilities. Each skin condition is represented by diagnostic codes. The scale has ratings from 0 to 100%.
- 60%: Constant, severe flare-ups and frequent hospitalization.
- 30%: Frequent, moderate flare-ups requiring continuous treatment.
- 10%: Mild flare-ups a few times a year, responsive to treatment.
- 0%: No active disease but some residual effects like scarring.
In very severe skin cases, a veteran can receive a 100% disability rating. In this case, psoriasis or PsA would have to affect all or nearly all of your body, your condition would be systemic, and you were receiving constant or nearly constant treatment.
Compensation is based on the rating you receive, if you are single or married, or have children. To find out how much you could be eligible for, go to the VA’s disability compensation chart.
How to Apply for Military Disability When You Have Psoriasis or PsA
You can file in person at your regional VA office or a claim online. You can also fax your claim to 844-531-7818 or mail in your claim form (VA Form 21-526EZ). Here’s the address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
You can also seek out legal representation. You can also reach out to a VA claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative to help you file a claim for disability compensation. You can find more information here.
What Do I Need to File a Military Disability Claim for Psoriasis?
To file a claim online, via paperwork, fax, in-person, or by a legal representative, you’ll need to have these documents or give the VA permission to access them. The documents include:
- Your DD214 or other separation documents
- Your service treatment records
- Any medical evidence related to your illness or injury (like doctors’ reports, X-rays, and medical test results).
Takeaways
Psoriasis or PsA can affect your ability to perform your job or your time in the military. Your occupation may add extra challenges to your health, and you may be able to get various forms of support to optimize health at work or provide financial assistance if you cannot work due to the disease.
Can I get disability financial benefits for having psoriasis or PsA?
You may be able to get financial support if your condition is deemed a disability. You’ll have to go through a process to prove that your psoriasis or PsA prevents you from working.
Can I get disability from the military for having psoriasis or PsA?
Yes. You may be eligible if you meet certain criteria. You’ll have to submit a claim form, along with your medical records. You will also need to prove your psoriasis or PsA is service-connected to your time in the military. The VA rates skin conditions based on factors including the severity of your symptoms and how much of your body is affected.
Can psoriasis and PsA stop you from working?
If both conditions are severe enough, they may keep you from doing a certain job. For example, PsA can affect your ability to move, which could impact your job performance.
Can you get FMLA for psoriasis?
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you’re eligible to take 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave. In some cases, you may be eligible under the ADA for more unpaid leave.
If you need more time, or your symptoms are severe enough that you can’t return to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the SSA. Psoriasis itself qualifies under skin disorders, while psoriatic arthritis falls under immune system disorders.
How is compensation determined for psoriasis disability in the military?
The VA uses a rating scale based on 0-100% that takes into account several factors, including severity of your psoriasis, how much treatment you need, how much your body is affected, and how it affects your daily activities. You will have to submit documentation proving whether your psoriasis is primarily service-connected or secondarily connected to a military event.
How hard is it to get disability for psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis?
It can be tough to meet certain criteria to get benefits. For example, you must have a diagnosis under SSA. For SSDI, you cannot currently be working full time; if you’re over the age of 31, you must have worked five of the previous 10 years. You must show that you’ve been unable to perform your duties for 12 months. If under the age of 50, you have to show that you cannot complete any readily available job; if you’re over the age of 50, you must show that you can’t do a job similar to the one you had for the previous 15 years.
Is it hard to work with psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis?
It can be difficult to perform job tasks if you have psoriasis or PsA. You may not be able to operate equipment with ease or move around as much due to pain and swelling. Environmental factors like the temperature of the air or exposure to chemicals can also have an affect on performing your job.
