Rheumatoid Arthritis and SSDI Benefits in Washington

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation, pain, and progressive physical deterioration. For many Washington residents, the condition reaches a point where sustained employment becomes impossible. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes RA as a potentially disabling condition, but qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits requires meeting specific medical and legal thresholds. Understanding how the SSA evaluates RA claims is essential before you file.

How the SSA Evaluates Rheumatoid Arthritis

The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments—commonly called the "Blue Book"—that outlines the medical criteria for automatic disability approval. Rheumatoid arthritis falls under Section 14.09: Inflammatory Arthritis. To meet this listing, your medical records must document one of the following:

• Persistent inflammation or deformity of one or more major peripheral weight-bearing joints (hip, knee, or ankle) resulting in an inability to ambulate effectively
• Persistent inflammation or deformity of one or more major peripheral joints in each upper extremity, resulting in an inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively
• Ankylosing spondylitis or other spondyloarthropathies with ankylosis of the cervical or dorsolumbar spine
• Repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis, with at least two of the following: limitation of activities of daily living, limitation in maintaining social functioning, or limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace

Meeting a Blue Book listing results in an automatic award—no further analysis required. However, many RA claimants do not meet the listing criteria precisely but are still functionally disabled. In those cases, the SSA conducts a broader five-step sequential evaluation.

The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process

If your condition does not clearly meet the Blue Book listing, the SSA evaluates your claim through a structured five-step process:

• Step 1 – Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): You must not be currently working above the SGA threshold ($1,550/month in 2024 for non-blind individuals). Washington residents collecting wages above this amount are generally disqualified at step one.
• Step 2 – Severe Impairment: Your RA must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities. Documentation from a rheumatologist is critical here.
• Step 3 – Listing Match: The SSA determines whether your RA meets or equals the criteria in Section 14.09.
• Step 4 – Past Relevant Work: If you don't meet the listing, the SSA assesses your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—what you can still do despite your limitations—and compares it to your past work. If you can perform past work, your claim is denied at this step.
• Step 5 – Other Work: If you cannot perform past work, the SSA considers your age, education, work history, and RFC to determine whether any other jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy that you could perform.

For RA claimants in Washington, the RFC assessment often becomes the decisive battleground. Your treating rheumatologist's opinion carries significant weight here, particularly if it documents limitations such as restricted grip strength, limited range of motion, chronic fatigue, and medication side effects like immunosuppression.

Medical Evidence That Strengthens Your Washington SSDI Claim

The SSA requires objective medical evidence—not just your reported symptoms. For rheumatoid arthritis claims, the most persuasive documentation includes:

• Rheumatologist treatment records spanning at least 12 months
• Positive RF (rheumatoid factor) or anti-CCP antibody laboratory results
• X-rays or MRI imaging showing joint erosion, synovitis, or structural damage
• Documentation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, including methotrexate, biologics, or JAK inhibitors, and their side effects
• Records of flare-ups, hospitalizations, or emergency treatment
• Functional assessments from occupational therapists
• A detailed RFC opinion letter from your treating rheumatologist

Washington claimants should be aware that the SSA's field office in Seattle, Tacoma, or Spokane will route your claim to the Washington State Disability Determination Services (DDS), which conducts the initial medical review. Establishing a long and consistent treatment history with a board-certified rheumatologist—rather than relying primarily on primary care records—significantly improves your chances of approval at this stage.

Work Credits and Eligibility Requirements

SSDI is an insurance program funded by payroll taxes, so eligibility depends on your work history. To qualify, you generally need:

• 40 work credits total, with at least 20 credits earned in the last 10 years before your disability onset
• Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits under special rules
• Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death

If you lack sufficient work credits, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead, which is need-based. Many Washington claimants apply for both programs simultaneously, which is permitted and often advisable.

What to Do If Your RA Claim Is Denied

Initial denial rates for SSDI claims are high nationally—often exceeding 60% at the initial level. Washington claimants who are denied have the right to appeal through four levels:

• Reconsideration: A different DDS examiner reviews your file. You have 60 days from the denial notice to file.
• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing: This is where most successful appeals occur. You appear before an ALJ—either in person in Seattle or Spokane, or via video—and present testimony and evidence.
• Appeals Council Review: If the ALJ denies your claim, you may request Appeals Council review.
• Federal Court: Cases may be appealed to the U.S. District Court for the Western or Eastern District of Washington.

At the ALJ hearing level, having a disability attorney dramatically improves outcomes. Studies consistently show claimants represented by attorneys are approved at significantly higher rates than unrepresented claimants. Attorneys who handle SSDI cases work on contingency—meaning you pay nothing unless you win—and fees are capped by federal law at 25% of back pay, not to exceed $7,200.

Do not let an initial denial discourage you. Many Washington residents with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis are ultimately approved on appeal, often with significant back pay covering the period since their disability onset date.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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