Social Security Disability Benefits for Arthritis

Arthritis is a term used to describe a group of medical conditions characterized by joint inflammation and swelling. There are many types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (deterioration of cartilage between the bones), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder that affects the joint lining) and psoriatic arthritis (a disorder linked to a skin condition called psoriasis).

Symptoms of arthritis can be painful and restrict your movements, sometimes significantly. When your arthritis keeps you from doing work-related activities for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability. Getting benefits isn't as simple as having a diagnosis of arthritis, however. Before you apply, you should know what medical and legal evidence to provide to establish that you're eligible for disability.

When Is Arthritis a Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide whether you should be approved for disability benefits. First, the SSA will determine whether you're currently working above the substantial gainful activity limit. For 2025, this amount is $1,620 or more a month. So if you're earning $1,620 or more per month—or you're self-employed and doing work valued at over $1,620 per month—the agency will find that you're working too much to be considered disabled, and your claim will be denied.

Next, if the SSA finds you aren't working above the substantial gainful activity level, the agency will determine whether your arthritis is a "severe impairment". Severe impairments are medical conditions that have more than a minimal effect on your ability to do work-related activities and last for at least 12 months. Even though they're called "severe" impairments, showing that you have one is generally easy, especially in cases of arthritis where you aren't expected to improve.

At step 3, the SSA will review your medical records to decide whether your arthritis meets or equals one of the conditions in the listing of impairments. If so, your claim for disability will be approved. If not, the agency will then need to determine whether you're able to perform your past work (step 4) or any other jobs in the national economy (step 5).

Getting Disability for Arthritis by Meeting a Listing

Listed impairments are medical conditions that the SSA considers especially severe. There are over 100 listed impairments, each with its own set of criteria that need to be documented in your medical records in order for you to "meet a listing" and get disability automatically. Arthritis can be evaluated under two categories of listings: section 1.00 for musculoskeletal disorders and section 14.00 for immune system disorders (such as rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis). Review the listing requirements below to see if there's one that best describes your kind of arthritis.

Listing 1.15, Spinal Disorders With Compromise of a Nerve Root

You may meet listing 1.15 if you have arthritis in your back that results in a spinal nerve root being compromised and you have medical evidence of the following:

• indications that a nerve root is compressed (pain, pins and needles, or muscle fatigue in the buttocks or legs)
• physical examinations or laboratory tests demonstrating that you have muscle weakness, signs of nerve root irritation, and sensory changes (decreased sensation, reduced nerve conductivity, or poor deep tendon reflexes)
• X-rays or MRI results consistent with compromise of a nerve root, and
• you have significant physical limitations to the point that both your hands can't be used for work-related activities (for example, you use your left hand to hold a cane, but you're unable to type with your right hand).

Listing 1.16, Lumbar Stenosis Resulting in Compromise of the Cauda Equina

You may meet listing 1.16 if you have arthritis in your lower back (lumbar spine) that causes impingement of the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves at the end of your spinal column. You'll need evidence of the following:

• non-radiating pain, non-radiating sensory loss, or pain or cramping in one or both legs
• neurological signs of muscle weakness and either sensory changes or decreased deep tendon reflexes in one of both legs
• X-rays, MRIs, or a surgical report showing that the cauda equina is compressed, and
• you need to use an assistive device (walker, wheelchair, crutches, or cane) to get around, and you don't have one free hand that can perform work-related tasks.

Listing 1.17, Reconstructive Surgery of a Major Weight-Bearing Joint

You may meet listing 1.17 if you've had reconstructive surgery on a major weight-bearing joint— such as a hip, knee, or ankle—because of arthritis. Examples of reconstructive surgery include hip replacements, knee replacements, or surgical arthrodesis (fusion of the bones that form a joint). You can qualify for benefits under this listing if you can no longer walk on your own without a walker, bilateral canes or crutches, or another two-handed device.

Listing 1.18, Abnormality of a Major Joint

You may be eligible for disability under listing 1.18 if your arthritis has caused some type of abnormality or deformity (such as osteoarthritis, fusion, joint space narrowing, or ankylosis) in any joint in your upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand) or lower extremities (hip, knee, and ankle/foot) that causes the following:

• chronic joint pain or stiffness
• abnormal motion, instability, or immobility of the affected joint, and
• an inability to use your hands for work-related tasks, whether due to arthritis in both hands, needing an assistive device for walking that requires both hands, or having arthritis in one hand while using the other to operate a mobility aid.

To meet any of the above four listings, you'll need to have objective medical documentation— preferably multiple tests or images—of your joint problem. Quality counts as much, if not more, than quantity, however. Four X-rays that show mild abnormalities in your back are less likely to meet the listing criteria than one or two MRIs showing severe spinal deformation.

Qualifying for Disability If Your Arthritis Doesn't Meet Any of the Listings

Even if you aren't approved automatically by meeting a listing, you can still qualify for benefits if your residual functional capacity (RFC) keeps you from performing your past or any other jobs. Your RFC is a description of the most you can do, physically and mentally, at work, despite limitations from your arthritis and any other medical impairments in your records.

What's In Your RFC?

Social Security reviews your medical records and self-reported activities of daily living for evidence of functional limitations that can affect your ability to work. For somebody with arthritis, a typical RFC will include restrictions on how long they can sit, stand, walk, and carry objects. How well you can perform these strength-related movements will determine whether you can do heavy, medium, light, or sedentary work (your "exertional level").

Additional (‘non-exertional") restrictions may include how long you can use your hands, balance upright, or bend at the knee. For example, if you find it hard to walk even with a cane, your RFC may limit you to sit-down (sedentary) work. And if your arthritis also causes swelling in your fingers and wrists due to arthritis, your RFC should contain limitations on the amount of time you can type, handle small objects, or perform other tasks that require the use of your hands.

How Does Social Security Use Your RFC?

Social Security compares the limitations within your current RFC to the duties of your past job to see whether you could still do that job today. If you can't, then the agency will need to determine if there are any other jobs in the national economy that you can perform given your RFC. For applicants under the age of 50, this typically means needing to show that you can't do even the simplest sit-down jobs on a regular basis. Common RFC restrictions that can rule out those kinds of jobs include having only occasional use of your hands, needing to take extra breaks, or being unable to sit for a total of six hours out of an eight-hour workday.

Claimants who are 50 or older may find it easier to qualify for disability benefits under the "medical-vocational grid." Using the grid rules, Social Security will take into account factors such as your age, education, and whether you have transferable skills you can use in a different line of work. So if you're 50, have only ever done heavy labor, and you're limited to sit-down work due to arthritis, the agency can find you disabled under the grid even though you can physically perform a desk job or basic assembly line work.

VA Benefits for Arthritis

Veterans who have service-connected arthritis may be eligible for disability compensation from the VA. Using the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, veterans may be assigned a disability rating based on how significantly their arthritis has an impact on their functioning. If you have multi-joint arthritis—diagnostic code 5002, which includes rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis—the VA will use the chart below to see what limitations you have and assign a corresponding rating.

If you have degenerative arthritis (non-traumatic) established by X-ray, then the VA will evaluate your impairment using the diagnostic code for the affected joint. The disability rating you'll receive will depend mainly on how limited your range of motion is for that joint. For example, if you're unable to move your elbow at an angle greater than 50 degrees, you can receive a 60% disability rating.

What Are My Chances of Getting Disability for Arthritis?

According to the SSA's Annual Statistical Report, disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, including arthritis, are the most commonly awarded medical conditions for people seeking disability benefits. But that doesn't mean that your application is guaranteed to be approved—you'll need to have solid medical records and a history of regular treatment in order to qualify. (You can still get disability if you haven't seen a doctor, but it's much harder.)

Most people aren't awarded disability benefits right after they apply. On average, only about 35% of applications are approved at the initial level and 15% at the reconsideration stage, with the remaining claimants receiving approval after a hearing with an administrative law judge. While you don't need to hire an attorney, having one can increase your chances of winning earlier on in the process.

How Much Does Disability Pay for Arthritis?

Social Security doesn't award benefits based on the type of disabling condition. Instead, the amount you'll receive if you're awarded benefits will depend on whether you're eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI eligibility is determined by your work history and how much you've contributed to the program in payroll taxes, while SSI is a needs-based benefit available to people with limited resources. For more information, check out our articles on how much you can get in SSDI and how much you can get in SSI.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits due to Arthritis

Filing for Social Security benefits is a fairly straightforward process. Many people choose to apply online at Social Security's official website. If you're filing for SSDI, you can complete the entire application online. SSI claimants who are over 18, have never been married, and have never applied for SSI before can also submit the full application online.

You can also apply for disability benefits by calling 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can call the TTY number at 800-325-0778. Or, you can go in person to your local Social Security field office. (Some offices require that you make an appointment first, so it's best to call ahead and ask.)

Many claimants are able to submit their application without legal assistance. If you'd like help with your application—or you've received a denial and want to increase your chances of winning an appeal—you may want to consider contacting an experienced disability attorney. Disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they don't get paid unless (and until) you win, so there's little upfront risk in asking around to find a representative who's a good fit for your case.