SSA Listing 14.00

Immune System Disorders: Social Security Disability Listings

Can You Get Disability for Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, HIV or Another Immune System Disorder?

Yes. For an immune system disorders disability claim, Social Security uses section 14.00, which covers lupus (14.02), vasculitis, scleroderma, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (14.09), Sjögren's syndrome (14.10), immune deficiency disorders and HIV infection (14.11). Most of these listings can be met two ways: two or more organs affected, one at least moderately, with at least two of severe fatigue, fever, malaise or involuntary weight loss; or repeated flares with those symptoms and a marked limit in daily activities, social functioning or finishing tasks. See the disability requirements for the full test.

Reviewed by Michael Rupe ·October 1, 2026

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What Immune System Disorders Disability Listings Cover

Section 14.00 of Social Security’s Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book) covers disorders where the immune system doesn’t work properly. SSA groups them three ways: autoimmune disorders, where the body attacks its own tissues (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis); immune deficiency disorders other than HIV; and HIV infection.

SSA’s 14.00 page explains why these claims look different. An immune disorder can cause a very serious loss of function in one organ. Or it can cause smaller problems in several organs that, combined with symptoms like severe fatigue, fever or weight loss, add up to an extreme limitation.

Two Ways Most Immune Listings Can Be Met

Lupus (14.02), systemic vasculitis (14.03), Sjögren’s syndrome (14.10) and several others share a two-part design.

Paragraph A, organ involvement. Two or more organs or body systems are involved, at least one to a moderate level of severity, plus at least two constitutional symptoms or signs.

Paragraph B, repeated flares. Repeated manifestations of the disorder, at least two constitutional symptoms, and a marked limitation in one of three areas: activities of daily living, social functioning, or completing tasks on time because of problems with concentration, persistence or pace.

“Constitutional symptoms or signs” means severe fatigue, fever, malaise or involuntary weight loss. Severe fatigue means frequent exhaustion that significantly reduces your physical activity or mental function. Malaise means frequent feelings of illness or discomfort with the same effect.

What Repeated and Marked Mean

SSA defines “repeated” as flares that happen on average three times a year, or once every 4 months, each lasting 2 weeks or more. Shorter flares that happen much more often count too, as do rarer flares that last much longer.

“Marked” means your symptoms seriously interfere with your ability to function. It doesn’t mean you’re confined to bed. For daily activities, SSA gives examples like household chores, grooming, using a post office, taking public transportation and paying bills. A marked limit can exist even if you can still do some self-care.

What SSA Looks for in Common Immune Listings

Listing	What can meet it
14.02 Lupus	Paragraph A organ involvement, or paragraph B repeated flares with marked limits
14.09 Inflammatory arthritis	Ongoing inflammation or deformity of a major leg joint with a documented need for a walker, two canes or crutches, or a wheeled mobility device; or both arms unable to do fine and gross movements; or organ involvement; or spinal fixation from ankylosing spondylitis; or repeated flares with marked limits
14.07 Immune deficiency	Serious infections such as sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia that resist treatment or need hospital or IV treatment three or more times in 12 months; stem cell transplant; or repeated flares with marked limits
14.11 HIV	Specific illnesses such as primary CNS lymphoma; CD4 of 50 or less; CD4 under 200 with low BMI or hemoglobin; three hospitalizations in 12 months for complications; or repeated manifestations with marked limits
14.10 Sjögren’s syndrome	Paragraph A organ involvement, or paragraph B repeated flares with marked limits

Evidence SSA Asks for

SSA generally needs your medical history, physical exam reports and lab results, and sometimes imaging or a tissue biopsy. For lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, SSA’s page says the records will generally, but not always, show you meet the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria.

SSA also weighs treatment: side effects, how complex or intrusive it is (such as injections or a tight dosing schedule), effects on your thinking or mood, how your response varies and how treatments interact. Keep a flare log with dates, symptoms and how long each lasted. It makes the “repeated” test much easier to show.

If your doctor tells you to pause HIV medication (a structured treatment interruption), SSA won’t treat that alone as failing to follow treatment.

SSA's Immune System Disorders Listings (14.00)

SSA listings in section 14.00
Listing	Name
14.02	Systemic lupus erythematosus
14.03	Systemic vasculitis
14.04	Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
14.05	Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
14.06	Undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease
14.07	Immune deficiency disorders, excluding HIV infection
14.09	Inflammatory arthritis
14.10	Sjögren's syndrome
14.11	Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

For children, SSA uses section 114.00 (Immune System Disorders), with 9 listings. See childhood conditions.

From SSA's Listing of Impairments (ssa.gov), checked October 2, 2026.

If You Don’t Meet an Immune Listing

SSA first checks other body systems, since lupus can damage the kidneys or heart and HIV can affect many systems. Then it looks at medical equivalence. If neither works, it sets your residual functional capacity (RFC), the most you can still do.

At step four SSA asks whether you can still do your past work. At step five it weighs your RFC with your age, education and work experience to decide whether you can adjust to other work. Step one applies first: earning more than $1,690 a month in 2026 (the non-blind substantial gainful activity level) ends the claim. The SSDI and SSI guides explain which program fits, and SSDI vs SSI compares them.

Compassionate Allowances for Immune Conditions

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) flag conditions that by definition meet SSA’s standards, so decisions come faster, and SSA uses the same CAL rules for SSDI and SSI. Immune-related entries on SSA’s list include several HIV-related illnesses that match listing 14.11: Multicentric Castleman Disease, Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma, Primary Effusion Lymphoma, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma. The list also includes Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - Childhood, Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome, Degos Disease - Systemic and X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease.

You apply the normal way; see how to apply.

Children: Section 114.00

Children’s claims use section 114.00, which mirrors the adult listings, from 114.02 lupus to 114.11 HIV. SSA groups childhood immune disorders the same three ways, and notes that in children these disorders or their treatment may also affect growth, development and age-appropriate activities. See SSI for children and the childhood conditions guide.

Work Accommodations for Lupus and HIV

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) lists practical changes for people who want to keep working.

For lupus, JAN suggests rest breaks, a flexible schedule, task rotation and telework for fatigue; ergonomic equipment, alternative keyboards and mice and speech recognition software for hand pain; modified lighting for headaches; and cooling or heated clothing and fans for temperature sensitivity.

For HIV, JAN suggests less lifting and walking, the option to sit or stand, a workstation near restrooms with a flexible schedule for breaks, written instructions, a self-paced workload and time for counseling. The workplace accommodations guide explains how to ask.

Lupus and scleroderma can also affect the skin; see skin disorders. Some HIV-associated cancers are judged here, and others under cancer. Try the free disability eligibility screener. If SSA denies you, you have 60 days from receiving the notice to appeal; the appeals guide covers each level. Browse every body system on the conditions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lupus a Disability for Social Security?

It can be. Listing 14.02 is met when lupus involves two or more organs or body systems, one at least moderately, with at least two constitutional symptoms (severe fatigue, fever, malaise or involuntary weight loss), or when you have repeated flares with two of those symptoms and a marked limitation in daily activities, social functioning or completing tasks.

What Does Repeated Mean in the Immune Listings?

SSA defines repeated as flares that happen on average three times a year, or once every 4 months, each lasting 2 weeks or more. Shorter flares that happen much more often, or less frequent flares that last much longer, can also count.

What CD4 Count Meets the HIV Listing?

Listing 14.11F is met with an absolute CD4 count of 50 cells/mm3 or less. Listing 14.11G uses a CD4 count under 200 together with a BMI under 18.5 or hemoglobin under 8.0 g/dL. Other parts of 14.11 cover specific illnesses, repeated hospitalizations and repeated manifestations with marked limits.

Does Marked Mean I Have to Be Bedridden?

No. SSA says a marked limitation means your symptoms seriously interfere with your ability to function, and the term does not imply that you must be confined to bed, hospitalized or in a nursing home.

Will Stopping Medication on My Doctor's Advice Hurt My Claim?

Not by itself. SSA's 14.00 rules say that if your treating source prescribed a structured treatment interruption, SSA will not find you are failing to follow treatment on that fact alone.

Other Body Systems in SSA's Listings

This page explains SSA's published rules. It isn't medical or legal advice; SSA decides each claim from your records.