Getting Social Security Disability Benefits for Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of thick, scaly skin—typically on the elbows and knees—that can be associated with psoriatic arthritis, a related condition that brings joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. These symptoms can interfere with basic limb movements that can make many job tasks difficult or even impossible. If you’re unable to work full-time for a year or more due to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, you may qualify for disability benefits.

Whether you’re eligible for Social Security disability depends mainly on how extensive your symptoms are and how well they respond to treatment. If your skin lesions or joint damage are still very severe after several months of medical attention, you may qualify automatically under a disability listing. But even if you don't meet a listing, you might get benefits if no jobs exist that you can do despite your symptoms. Before you apply, it’s a good idea to become familiar with some Social Security basics so that you can make your disability claim as strong as possible.

When Is Psoriasis Considered a Disability?

Psoriasis, like all medical conditions, is considered a disability when it keeps you from earning at the level of substantial gainful activity for at least twelve months. That means you’ll either need to have medical records establishing that you meet a listed impairment or demonstrate functional limitations that rule out all work in the national economy. Listed impairments are conditions that Social Security considers severe enough to qualify for benefits automatically, meaning you can get benefits without needing to show that you can’t do any job.

You’ll also need to meet the preliminary non-medical requirements to receive either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the two disability benefit programs run by Social Security. SSDI eligibility is based on your work history and how much you’ve paid into the system by way of payroll taxes, while SSI is needs-based and subject to certain income and asset limits.

Getting Disability for Psoriasis by Meeting Listing 8.09

The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates psoriasis under listing 8.09, Chronic conditions of the skin and mucus membranes. In order to be eligible for disability under listing 8.09, you must have a diagnosis of psoriasis with skin lesions that last for at least three months and are not responding to prescribed treatment.

You could get benefits under this listing if you have serious difficulty standing, walking, using your hands and arms, or standing from a seated position with stability. Here are some examples of lesions that could qualify you for benefits under this listing:

• lesions on your knees or elbows that make it difficult to get dressed in the morning
• lesions on the soles of both feet that keep you from walking without a cane, or
• lesions on both palms that cause you to constantly drop small objects.

The SSA acknowledges that skin conditions frequently respond to treatment, but that response to treatment can vary widely, with some disorders becoming resistant to treatment entirely. So to qualify for disability under the dermatitis listing, you’ll need to show that your skin lesions persist despite three months of treatment. Examples of treatment for psoriasis include:

• topical gels or creams
• photodynamic (light) therapy, and
• medications such as corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories, or vitamin A derivatives.

Keep in mind that the three-month requirement in the listing criteria is different from the agency’s twelve-month “durational requirement” in order for the agency to consider your psoriasis a severe impairment. If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis for several years but experience “flare-ups” that don’t respond to months of treatment, you might qualify for disability under the dermatitis listing.

Getting Disability Using the Listings for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis doesn’t have its own specific listing, but if your psoriasis symptoms don't meet the requirements for listing 8.09 and you’re also getting treatment for psoriatic arthritis, you may meet one of the related listings below.

Listing 1.18, Abnormality of a Major Joint

Psoriatic arthritis can cause severe functional loss to major joints, such as the ankles, knees, and wrists. You might qualify for disability under listing 1.18 if your medical record contains documentation of all of the following:

• chronic joint pain or stiffness
• abnormal motion, instability, or immobility of the affected joint
• physical examinations or medical imaging (like an MRI) showing that something’s wrong with the joint, and
• evidence (such as a prescription for a cane or walker) that you can’t walk or use your hands effectively.

If your psoriatic arthritis is bad enough, you might undergo reconstructive surgery on the affected joint. While most reconstructive surgeries are successful at restoring joint function, if you still have significant functional limitations twelve months after your surgery, you might qualify under listing 1.17 for reconstructive surgery of a weight-bearing joint. For surgery on the spine in particular, see our section on getting disability benefits for back problems.

Listing 14.09, Inflammatory Arthritis

People with psoriatic arthritis might also qualify for disability under listing 14.09 for inflammatory arthritis. Similar to the listings described above, meeting the inflammatory arthritis listing requires that you have a significant loss of functioning, as demonstrated by one of the following:

• persistent inflammation of your arms or legs to the point that you can’t walk independently or use your hands effectively
• deformity of a lower joint that also involves another body system (typically an organ) and causes symptoms such as severe fatigue, fever, or involuntary weight loss
• presence of a type of immune disorder called ankylosing spondylitis that results in a certain degree of stiffness in your spine, or
• repeated flare-ups of arthritis that cause a very significant (“marked”) reduction in your ability to carry out daily activities, function socially, or focus on tasks.

The listing criteria are often complex and can be difficult even for disability claims examiners to understand. So if you think you might meet the criteria for a listed impairment, you should ask your doctor to complete a medical source statement explaining why you qualify for disability. The SSA values the opinions of doctors whom you’ve seen regularly for medical treatment, especially if they specialize in treating your condition—such as a dermatologist for psoriasis or a rheumatologist for psoriatic arthritis.

Can I Get Disability if I Don’t Qualify Under a Listing?

Yes, you can still qualify for disability even if you don’t meet a listing as long as your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis affects your functioning enough to keep you from working. If Social Security doesn’t find that you’re disabled according to a listing, the agency will then need to assess your residual functional capacity (RFC).Your RFC is a set of restrictions describing how much you’re still able to do in a work setting despite your medical condition.

What’s In My RFC?

Social Security reviews your medical records and self-reported activities of daily living in order to determine what activities you can and can’t do at work. For example, if you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis on your fingers or hands, your RFC might limit you from work activities that involve typing, writing, or grasping objects. Likewise, if your psoriasis affects your feet, ankles, hips, or groin, your RFC will likely restrict you from jobs that require frequent walking, standing, or kneeling.

How Does Social Security Use My RFC to Determine If I’m Disabled?

The agency will look at your work history and compare the exertional and non-exertional requirements of your old jobs with the restrictions in your current RFC to see if you could do those types of jobs today. If the agency thinks you can return to your past work, you won’t be found disabled, and your disability claim will be denied.

If Social Security doesn’t think you can do your past jobs, then—depending on your age, education, and skills—the agency will usually need to see whether you can do other, less demanding work. But if no jobs exist in the national economy that somebody with your RFC can do, Social Security will award you disability benefits under what is called a medical-vocational allowance. (Proving that you can’t do any jobs is difficult, but not impossible. For more information, see our article on getting disability by showing you can’t do even sedentary work.)

How Much Is the Disability Payment for Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis?

Social Security doesn’t pay benefits based on the type of disability you have, so there’s no specific award amount for individual medical conditions. Rather, the amount of money you’ll receive depends on whether you’re eligible for SSDI or SSI. For 2026, the maximum monthly payment you can get from SSDI is $4,152, but the average amount is much less, at $1,630. SSI benefits top out at $994 per month, but that amount will be reduced based on any countable income you have in that month. You can learn more (and calculate your estimated benefit amount) in our article on SSDI and SSI monthly check amounts.

How Do I File for SSDI or SSI?

Starting an application for SSDI or SSI is a fairly straightforward process. You can choose from one of the methods below to begin your claim.

• One easy way is to file online. You don’t have to complete the application in one sitting, and you’ll get a tracking number so you can check the status of your claim.
• You can also apply over the phone by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• If you prefer to file in person, you can schedule an appointment with a representative at your local Social Security field office.

When completing the application, you’ll need the contact information and treatment dates for all of your medical providers and the names, addresses, and dates of employment for all of your employers in the last five years. For more information, check out our step-by-step guide on applying for SSDI or SSI.

What if My Disability Claim Is Denied?

Few disability applicants are awarded benefits on their first try, but if you're denied, you can submit an appeal. Most people who are awarded disability don’t get approved until after a hearing with a judge, a process that can take about a year (or more, in some cases.)

You may also want to consider contacting a disability attorney to help increase your chances of a successful appeal. Disability attorneys work on contingency—meaning they get paid only if you win—and many offer free consultations, so it doesn’t hurt to ask around to find a lawyer you like.