Disability Benefits for Invisible Illnesses: What You Need to Know

Invisible illnesses—conditions that do not have obvious physical symptoms but still significantly affect daily life—can present unique challenges when applying for disability benefits. These illnesses include chronic pain, mental health disorders, and autoimmune diseases. While those affected may look healthy, their conditions can be debilitating and life-altering. Unfortunately, the lack of visible symptoms often leads to skepticism from others, including Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims evaluators.

At Green and Greenberg, we understand the specific hurdles that applicants with invisible illnesses face. In this blog post, we will explain how you can successfully apply for disability benefits, gather the right medical evidence, and overcome the skepticism that sometimes accompanies these conditions.

What Are Invisible Illnesses?

Invisible illnesses are medical conditions that affect an individual’s ability to function but don’t show visible signs like physical impairments. Some common examples of invisible illnesses include:

• Chronic Pain: Conditions such as fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can result in constant, severe pain that isn’t visible to others.
• Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make it difficult for individuals to work or manage everyday life, even though they may not appear ill.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), and rheumatoid arthritis cause internal damage and pain, though the individual may look healthy externally.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): CFS can cause debilitating fatigue, preventing individuals from engaging in physical or mental activities.

Because these illnesses don’t manifest in obvious ways, proving their impact to a disability evaluator can be more difficult, but it’s not impossible.

How to Gather Medical Evidence for Invisible Illnesses

The key to winning disability benefits for invisible illnesses lies in gathering solid, well-documented medical evidence. Unlike conditions with clear physical symptoms, invisible illnesses require you to prove how they affect your daily life and ability to work. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Consistent Medical Records: Regularly visiting your doctor and maintaining detailed medical records is essential. These records should describe your symptoms, limitations, and how your condition impacts your ability to work. Make sure your doctor includes this information in your file consistently over time.
2. Specialist Reports: Getting documentation from specialists who understand your illness can strengthen your case. For example, if you suffer from an autoimmune disease, a report from a rheumatologist will carry more weight than one from a general practitioner.
3. Functional Capacity Evaluations: This evaluation tests how your illness affects your ability to perform everyday tasks. Your healthcare provider can document your limitations, providing strong evidence to support your claim.
4. Daily Activity Logs: Keeping a personal log of how your illness impacts your daily activities can help prove the severity of your condition. Record specific instances where you couldn’t perform basic tasks due to symptoms.
5. Mental Health Documentation: If your condition includes mental health disorders, having a licensed therapist or psychiatrist’s detailed records is crucial. They should outline the diagnosis and describe how the condition limits your ability to function normally.
6. Expert Testimony: In some cases, testimony from medical professionals can make a significant difference. Green and Greenberg can help arrange for expert witnesses who understand your illness to provide crucial support for your claim.

Overcoming Skepticism: How to Strengthen Your Claim

Invisible illnesses are often misunderstood or underestimated, leading to skepticism from claims evaluators. To combat this, it’s important to be detailed and clear in your application. Here’s how to present a compelling case:

• Be Thorough and Specific: When describing your symptoms, be detailed. Specify how frequently your symptoms occur, how long they last, and how they limit your ability to work or perform daily tasks. Avoid vague descriptions.
• Provide Comprehensive Documentation: As mentioned earlier, strong and consistent medical records are key. When evaluators can’t physically see your illness, your documentation must do the talking.
• Get Legal Support: Working with an experienced law firm like Green and Greenberg gives you the advantage of legal expertise in presenting your case. Our lawyers understand how to navigate the complex SSDI and SSI application processes and will ensure that your claim is submitted with the strongest possible evidence.

Tips for Applying for Disability Benefits with an Invisible Illness

If you’re applying for disability benefits with an invisible illness, here are some practical tips to improve your chances of success:

1. Work with an Experienced Lawyer: Having a knowledgeable disability lawyer on your side is one of the most effective ways to increase your chances of approval. Green and Greenberg will help you build a strong case with the necessary documentation and guide you through the application process.
2. Submit a Complete Application: Make sure your application is fully completed with all required documentation. This is where Green and Greenberg excels—our team ensures that every detail is covered.
3. Prepare for Appeals: It’s not uncommon for initial claims to be denied, especially in cases involving invisible illnesses. Don’t lose hope. If you receive a denial, Green and Greenberg can assist with your appeal, improving your chances of a successful outcome.

How Green and Greenberg Can Help

At Green and Greenberg, we understand the difficulties that come with applying for disability benefits for invisible illnesses. We know the importance of gathering strong evidence, addressing skepticism, and making sure that your claim is well-supported. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the process, help you gather the necessary documentation, and represent you at every stage of your claim.

Whether you’re applying for SSDI or SSI, Green and Greenberg is here to support you. We have a track record of helping clients with invisible illnesses secure the benefits they deserve. With personalized legal support, we take the burden off your shoulders and ensure that your case is presented as strongly as possible.