Listing code
14.02
Adult (Part A)
Body system
14.00
Immune system disorders
Subsections
2
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Systemic lupus erythematosus. As described in 14.00D1 . With:
Subsection A
Involvement of two or more organs/body systems, with: 1. One of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and 2. At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss). OR
- One of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate level of severity; and
- At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss). OR
Subsection B
Repeated manifestations of SLE, with at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the following at the marked level: 1. Limitation of activities of daily living. 2. Limitation in maintaining social functioning. 3. Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace. Back to Top
- Limitation of activities of daily living.
- Limitation in maintaining social functioning.
- Limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace. Back to Top
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 14.02. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 14.02 usually fail
One pitfall is not matching the severity structure in Subsection A, which requires involvement of two or more organ systems with one at least moderate severity, plus at least two constitutional symptoms or signs. Another pitfall is listing only one constitutional symptom (for example, only fatigue) when Subsection A and Subsection B both require at least two constitutional symptoms or signs. A third pitfall is trying to meet Subsection B without the marked functional areas, because Subsection B also requires at least two constitutional symptoms or signs plus one marked limitation in activities of daily living, social functioning, or timely task completion due to concentration, persistence, or pace deficiencies. A fourth pitfall is treating "repeated manifestations" as just frequent diagnoses, without tying them to constitutional symptoms and the required functional limitations in Subsection B.
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
The criteria explicitly reference (1) organ or body system involvement and its severity level, and (2) the constitutional symptoms or signs of severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss. Medical records should therefore describe which organs or body systems are involved, how severe that involvement is at least for one system (for Subsection A), and evidence of repeated manifestations that include the constitutional symptoms or signs. For Subsection B, documentation also needs to support marked functional limitations specifically in activities of daily living, maintaining social functioning, or completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace, because those functional domains are part of the qualifying structure.
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
To satisfy the listing, the medical evidence has to fit either Subsection A or Subsection B's specific combination of constitutional symptoms, organ or body system involvement, and (for Subsection B) marked functional limitations. If the criteria are not met, the claim can still be evaluated using a residual functional capacity (RFC) approach, which considers how the condition limits work-related abilities over time. In that step, the focus shifts from the listing's exact "two constitutional symptoms plus X" structure to how the overall impairments affect sustained work capacity.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
For SSDI, the SGA work-activity gate is assessed at the start of the claim. When SLE meets the listing criteria through constitutional symptoms such as severe fatigue, fever, malaise, involuntary weight loss, and (in Subsection A) at least moderate severity involvement of an organ/body system with multisystem involvement, or (in Subsection B) repeated manifestations with constitutional symptoms plus marked limitations in daily living, social functioning, or timely task completion due to concentration, persistence, or pace deficiencies, the condition's functional impact often makes substantial work difficult to sustain. After approval, work activity is evaluated under SSA rules that can affect benefits, including the trial work period and extended period of eligibility for people who return to work, depending on ongoing eligibility and the specific program rules applied to the approved DI
Listing 14.02 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for systemic lupus erythematosus disability claims.