Can You Get Disability for Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease that tends to affect the spine and the sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine to the pelvis. The condition is a form of arthritis that can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort in a person’s back and nearby joints. Severe cases may prevent a person from working, and they should speak to an attorney about filing for SSDI benefits.

You may be eligible for SSDI benefits if you have a medical condition that prevents you from working. More specifically, you must be unable to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and your condition must be expected to persist for at least 12 months or end in death. Ankylosing spondylitis may be considered a qualifying condition if it prevents you from working and is expected to last long-term.

Begin your case with a free legal review by calling Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 and speaking to our disability lawyers.

Can Someone Apply for SSDI Benefits if They Have Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis, often called AS, often interferes with a person’s ability to work, and they may be eligible for SSDI benefits. If you have been diagnosed with AS, contact an attorney for help with your claim.

AS and Substantial Gainful Activity

A major component of SSDI benefits is SGA. Federal law defines SGA as work that is both substantial and gainful. Substantial work is any activity that requires significant mental or physical effort. Even part-time work may be substantial.

Work that is gainful is done for payment or profit. Keep in mind that profits do not have to be realized for the work to be considered gainful. In 2026, work may be considered gainful if you earn at least $1,690 per month. If you are blind, this limit is increased to $2,830 per month.

AS can be a very painful condition that affects your back and other joints, including your pelvis. For many, the pain is too intense to work through, and they may be unable to perform SGA.

When Working with AS Becomes Impossible

The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not fully understood, but it is widely believed to stem from genetics, family history, and various environmental factors. It is usually not caused by a work-related accident or injury, or by repetitive manual labor.

While AS may make work difficult, you must be able to prove that your condition is likely to persist long-term. Federal law requires that a condition be expected to persist for at least 12 months or end in death for the afflicted person to become eligible for SSDI.

Obtaining a Diagnosis

Medical evaluations and diagnoses are key to obtaining SSDI benefits. If you are experiencing symptoms of AS but have not yet seen a doctor, it might be difficult or impossible to obtain SSDI benefits.

AS affects people differently. Some experience occasional flare-ups, while others might deal with longer-lasting pain. For some, the pain is manageable, but for others, it is debilitating. You must be evaluated by a doctor who can provide a formal diagnosis and prognosis that our disability lawyers can use to support your claims for SSDI.

Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Prevent Someone from Working?

Ankylosing spondylitis may prevent a person from working, depending on the severity of their condition. Again, it is imperative that a doctor evaluates you before you apply for SSDI benefits.

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms of AS vary from person to person. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and fatigue, among others. For some, these symptoms may be so severe that they can no longer work. Others might only need a brief time away from work until their symptoms subside, or pain management and treatment options may help them to continue working.

AS may involve various medical complications. Other joints that connect to the spine, including the pelvic and rib joints, may be affected in some cases. The more complications you experience, the less likely it is that you can continue working.

Your Ability to Work

Each person’s ability to work may differ. If the pain is uncomfortable but not debilitating, you may be able to continue working with help from medication or pain management plans provided by a doctor.

Others might have to leave their current job and find other work that they can do with this condition. This may be easy for some but not others.

Available Treatments

Whether your condition prevents you from working may depend on the treatment options available and how they alleviate your symptoms.

There is no known cure for AS, but treatments are available to manage the condition and alleviate pain. Have you sought treatment? Can you continue working with treatment? Is working impossible even with treatment and pain management? The answers to the questions will help you and your lawyer determine if you are eligible for SSDI.

FAQs About Disability for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Is Someone with Ankylosing Spondylitis Eligible for SSDI Benefits?

Possibly. AS is a musculoskeletal condition that may make someone eligible for SSDI benefits if that person cannot perform substantial gainful activity because of their condition. Also, the condition must be expected to persist for at least 12 months.

How Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Interfere with Your Ability to Work?

AS may cause pain and stiffness in the spine and nearby joints. Some endure significant pain and find physical tasks impossible. The condition is interesting because pain can become worse during sedentary periods or periods of rest. This means someone who works at a desk in an office may also experience pain because their job involves little physical activity.

How Long Do You Have to Live with Ankylosing Spondylitis Before You Can Apply for SSDI?

Your AS diagnosis may be recent, or you may have been diagnosed years ago and just now find yourself unable to work through the pain. Whenever the diagnosis occurs, we must be able to establish that your condition is medically determined to persist for at least 12 months.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Apply for SSDI Benefits?

You are not required to have a lawyer to apply for SSDI benefits, but having one may significantly increase your odds of success. Applying for SSDI benefits is not easy, and you may be more likely to make mistakes or leave out crucial information and evidence if you do not have an experienced lawyer to help you.

Can You Apply for SSDI if Treatment is Available for Your Ankylosing Spondylitis Condition?

Yes. Even if treatments are available and help relieve your symptoms, that does not mean that everyone who receives treatment can perform substantial gainful activity. Even with treatment, you might still be unable to work, and you may apply for SSDI benefits.

Ask Our Disability Attorneys for Help Applying for Benefits

Begin your case with a free legal review by calling Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 and speaking to our disability lawyers.