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Disability group for psoriasis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Almost all patients with psoriasis are interested in whether they give disability for psoriasis? After all, when more than 30% of the skin surface is affected, the diagnosis is formulated as a severe degree of psoriasis. And if complications develop in the form of psoriatic erythroderma or psoriatic arthritis, the disease can lead to loss of ability to work.
Therefore, based on existing legislation (in particular, Ukrainian and Russian), we decided to answer this question.
Disability due to psoriasis in Ukraine
In accordance with the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 561 (dated September 5, 2011) - according to the "Instructions on the establishment of disability groups" - a patient with this disease can be sent for examination to the Medical and Social Expertise (MSE) at the place of residence. In this case, the attending physician must confirm (in the form of a medical report on the letterhead of the medical institution with an extract from the medical history attached) that the disease is progressing, and all applied treatment methods are ineffective.
However, in Ukraine, only patients with psoriatic erythroderma (affecting a significant part of the skin) and psoriatic arthritis can receive disability benefits for psoriasis.
In addition, mandatory conditions include the presence of documented evidence of temporary loss of ability to work by the patient (for 5 or more months per year) or his inpatient treatment for 4 months (with a sick leave for the entire period of treatment).
Also mandatory is a decrease in the level of qualification and ability to self-care (in case of psoriatic arthritis - limited mobility), which became a consequence of the disease. The established disability group for psoriasis is determined by the Medical and Social Expertise based on a medical report and expert assessments of the patient's condition.
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Disability due to psoriasis in Russia
For citizens of the Russian Federation, the rules according to which disability is established are set out in Government Resolution No. 1121 (adopted in 2009), and this procedure is also carried out by the Medical and Social Expertise (MSE) - according to the classification developed by the Ministry of Health, indicating the main criteria and standards for determining the severity of the disease (or injury), the degree of its negative consequences for human health, life activity and ability to work.
In fact, disability for psoriasis in Russia can be issued by referral from a medical institution on the same grounds and under the same conditions as for its establishment in Ukraine. That is, all medical documents are required that officially confirm the presence of the disease, the treatment provided (in hospital conditions) and the negative consequences that have arisen.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health’s instructions specify: hospitalization of patients with psoriasis concerns the progressive stage of the disease (with a large area of damage), pustular and exudative forms of the disease, as well as psoriatic erythroderma.
Most often, with an unfavorable prognosis regarding the ability to work, the second group of disability for psoriasis is determined, and in especially severe cases, the third.
By the way, in the US and Canada, patients can also receive disability benefits for psoriasis. For example, psoriasis has been diagnosed in almost 1.5 million Americans, and according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), 75% of them report that their disease has a significant impact on their daily lives.
Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Disability Benefits (SSDI) award up to 400 disability benefits for psoriasis. But the rules for awarding benefits are quite strict and include both a comprehensive examination of patients and an expert determination of the effectiveness of the treatment. And to check the body's response to previously conducted therapy, a three-month treatment is prescribed, monitored by trusted specialists. Although, as is known, this disease is chronic and lifelong.