Psoriasis can qualify as a disability in Canada when pain, itching, skin damage or related symptoms prevent you from performing your job safely, consistently and reliably.
Many people manage psoriasis while continuing to work. Others experience severe or recurring flare-ups that interfere with walking, standing, using their hands, wearing required clothing or maintaining concentration.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically qualify you for disability benefits. The insurer must consider the severity of your symptoms, the areas of your body affected and the demands of your occupation.
If your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off, the disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can review the insurer’s decision during a free consultation.
On This Page:
- Is Psoriasis a Disability?
- How Psoriasis Affects Work
- Disability Benefits
- Proving Your Claim
- Why Claims Are Denied
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Psoriasis a Disability in Canada?
Yes. Psoriasis can be considered a disability when its symptoms substantially limit your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can cause raised, scaly and inflamed patches of skin. The affected areas may become itchy, tender, painful, cracked or prone to bleeding.
Symptoms may improve and return through periods commonly described as flare-ups.
An insurer may consider:
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The severity and frequency of your flare-ups
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The parts of your body affected
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Whether pain or skin damage limits movement and hand use
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Whether treatment causes side effects or requires time away from work
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Whether you can maintain regular attendance and productivity
Is Severe Psoriasis a Disability?
Severe psoriasis may qualify as a disability when widespread or painful symptoms prevent reliable work.
However, the percentage of skin affected is not the only consideration. Psoriasis involving the palms, fingers, soles of the feet, face or genital area may create serious limitations even when the affected area is relatively small.
Can Palmoplantar Psoriasis Be a Disability?
Palmoplantar psoriasis affects the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet or both.
Painful cracking, scaling or bleeding may make it difficult to walk, stand, type, grip tools, wear footwear or perform repeated hand movements.
Is Psoriasis a Permanent Disability?
Psoriasis is a long-term condition, but its severity and response to treatment differ from person to person.
You do not have to prove that you will be unable to work forever. You may qualify for disability benefits for as long as psoriasis prevents you from working under the terms of your insurance policy.
How Can Psoriasis Affect Your Ability to Work?
Psoriasis can affect physical, office and customer-facing occupations. The impact depends on the location of the symptoms and the demands of your job.
Possible work limitations include:
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Painful, itchy, cracked or bleeding skin
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Difficulty walking, standing or wearing required footwear
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Difficulty typing, gripping or using tools
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Poor sleep, fatigue and reduced concentration
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Difficulty wearing uniforms, gloves or protective equipment
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Absences for treatment, medical appointments or severe flare-ups
Physical and Hands-On Work
Psoriasis affecting the hands or feet may make construction, health care, food service, manufacturing and other physical work difficult.
Repeated washing, friction, sweating, gloves, boots or exposure to irritating substances may aggravate symptoms or make essential duties painful.
Office and Remote Work
An insurer may argue that you can perform office or remote work because psoriasis does not prevent you from sitting.
However, painful hand symptoms may interfere with typing and computer use. Severe itching, poor sleep, fatigue or treatment side effects may also affect concentration and productivity.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Some people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which may cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
The insurer should consider the combined effect of the skin condition and any related joint limitations. Read more about arthritis disability benefits.
Can You Get Disability Benefits for Psoriasis?
You may qualify for disability benefits if psoriasis prevents you from completing the essential duties of your job.
The eligibility test depends on the benefit program and the wording of your plan.
Short-Term Disability Benefits
Short-term disability benefits may replace part of your income during a severe flare-up or while treatment is being adjusted.
Your insurer may ask your doctor to explain the areas affected, your work restrictions, your treatment plan and why you are temporarily unable to work.
Long-Term Disability Benefits
Long-term disability benefits may become available when severe psoriasis continues to prevent you from working beyond the short-term disability period.
Many LTD policies initially consider whether you can perform your own occupation. After a set period, commonly two years, the insurer may consider whether you can perform another suitable occupation.
The insurer should consider whether pain, hand or foot limitations, fatigue and related psoriatic arthritis prevent you from sustaining another job.
CPP Disability Benefits
You may qualify for CPP Disability benefits if psoriasis and your complete medical condition regularly prevent you from performing substantially gainful work.
Your disability must generally be long-term or indefinite, and you must have made enough valid CPP contributions.
A CPP Disability claim may be stronger when severe psoriasis exists alongside psoriatic arthritis, chronic pain, depression or another condition that also limits your ability to work.
Does Psoriasis Qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?
Psoriasis does not automatically qualify for the Disability Tax Credit.
Eligibility is based on whether the effects of an impairment meet the Canada Revenue Agency’s requirements for a severe and prolonged restriction in an eligible daily activity.
The CRA may also consider the cumulative effect of significant limitations in two or more eligible categories. The Disability Tax Credit is a tax credit rather than a monthly income-replacement benefit.
How Do You Prove a Psoriasis Disability Claim?
A strong claim should explain how psoriasis affects your actual ability to function and work. The diagnosis alone may not provide enough information.
Helpful evidence may include:
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Medical records from your family doctor and dermatologist
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The location, frequency and severity of flare-ups
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Photographs or clinical observations of affected areas
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Restrictions involving walking, standing, hand use or protective clothing
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Your treatment history and medication side effects
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Workplace accommodation or failed return-to-work attempts
Document Your Flare-Ups
Record when symptoms worsen, which areas are affected and how the flare-up limits your work and daily activities.
Explain whether you are unable to walk, wear required clothing, sleep, use your hands or tolerate contact with the affected skin.
Connect Your Symptoms to Your Occupation
A brief statement that you are “unable to work” may not provide enough detail.
Your evidence should explain why psoriasis prevents specific duties such as standing, typing, handling tools, washing repeatedly or wearing safety equipment.
Why Do Insurers Deny Psoriasis Disability Claims?
An insurer may accept that you have psoriasis but argue that the available evidence does not prove you are unable to work.
Common denial reasons include:
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The insurer describes psoriasis as a manageable skin condition
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Your symptoms improved before the claim was reviewed
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The medical records do not clearly document your flare-ups
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Your doctor does not explain your specific work restrictions
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The insurer says you can perform sedentary or remote work
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The insurer believes treatment should control your symptoms
The Insurer Says Psoriasis Is Treatable
Treatment may reduce the severity of psoriasis without eliminating painful or recurring symptoms.
Some treatments may also require frequent appointments or cause side effects. Your evidence should explain the limitations that remain despite following reasonable medical advice.
What Should You Do After a Denial?
Read and save the denial letter, continue receiving medical care and request a complete copy of your disability policy.
Keep your medical records, photographs, treatment history and communications with the insurer. Do not return to work against your doctor’s advice.
Speak with a disability lawyer before filing an internal appeal. The same insurer that denied your claim will review the appeal, and important legal deadlines may continue to run.
Learn more about what to do when your long-term disability claim is denied.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psoriasis and Disability
Is psoriasis considered a disability?
Psoriasis can be considered a disability when pain, skin damage or related limitations substantially affect your ability to work or complete important daily activities.
Is severe psoriasis a disability?
Severe psoriasis may qualify when widespread or painful symptoms prevent safe and reliable work.
Is plaque psoriasis a disability?
Plaque psoriasis may qualify when painful, inflamed or cracked skin prevents you from performing your job consistently.
Is palmoplantar psoriasis a disability?
Palmoplantar psoriasis may qualify when symptoms affecting the hands or feet prevent walking, standing, typing, gripping or wearing required footwear.
Can psoriasis qualify for long-term disability?
Psoriasis may qualify for LTD benefits when its symptoms prevent you from performing your occupation or another suitable occupation under the terms of your policy.
Can psoriasis qualify for CPP Disability?
Psoriasis may qualify when it and any other medical conditions regularly prevent substantially gainful work, are long-term or indefinite and you have made enough valid CPP contributions.
Should you appeal a denied psoriasis disability claim?
Do not assume an internal appeal is the best option. The same insurer that denied your claim will review it. Speak with a disability lawyer before proceeding.
Get Help With a Denied Psoriasis Disability Claim
Living with painful and recurring psoriasis is difficult enough. Fighting with an insurance company can make the situation even more stressful.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents people with denied and terminated disability claims throughout Canada, excluding Quebec.
Our disability lawyers can review your insurance policy, medical evidence and denial letter and explain the options available.
Contact us for a free consultation if your short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied or cut off.