Can I Receive Social Security Benefits for Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a term that covers a group of illnesses that affect how your body is able to use glucose, or blood sugar — an important energy source for cells and your brain. Individuals with diabetes have too much glucose in their bloodstream, which can lead to serious health complications. These complications may make you eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits for diabetes.

Ready to see if you may qualify for benefits? Click here to get a FREE, no-obligation consultation before starting your claim.

Types Of Chronic Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as juvenile diabetes, often develops in children but can also occur during adulthood. In this form of the illness, the body stops making insulin or doesn’t produce enough because the immune system is destroying insulin-making cells.

Treatment for Type 1 diabetes often includes:

• Insulin Injections
• Oral medications
• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Controlling blood pressure

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is referred to as adult-onset, but a person of any age can be affected. Inactive and overweight individuals are at particular risk of developing this form of the condition. Type 2 diabetes starts with insulin resistance, causing the body to need more insulin to move glucose into cells. Over time, the pancreas becomes unable to produce the amount of insulin that is necessary, which leads to a spike in blood sugar, especially after eating.

Treatment includes:

• Taking medication
• Eating healthy
• Regular physical activity
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol

Are There Social Security Benefits for Diabetes?

If your diabetes has prevented you from being able to work, you might qualify for Social Security benefits for diabetes, but you must meet the qualifications for Social Security Disability benefits for diabetes established by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Social Security Benefits for Diabetes: Checking Your Eligibility

To be eligible for SSD, you must:

1. You must have uncontrolled diabetes that’s stopped you from working for at least one year or you expect you won’t be able to work for at least 12 months.
2. The damage caused by your condition must seriously limit what you can do, and
3. Your complications must meet the SSA’s requirements in the Blue Book listing. Keep in mind that if your illness in uncontrolled because you are not following your doctor’s instructions, your application will be denied.
4. Additionally, if your diabetes results in neuropathy, issues with physical movement or diabetic retinopathy, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits for diabetes.

While having diabetes alone isn’t enough to get a claim approved, having complications that meet the listed requirements in the SSA’s Blue Book, you might be eligible. The following conditions can be found in the Blue Book:

• Diabetic nephropathy: Kidneys no longer filter properly
• Diabetic retinopathy: Blurred vision, poor peripheral vision or visual acuity
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage in the hands, feet, arms or legs that makes it difficult to walk, stand or use your hands
• Cardiovascular disease: Coronary heart disease, irregular heartbeat or peripheral vascular disease
• Amputation: Having a foot amputated because of nerve damage and poor circulation
• Poorly healing skin issues: Skin ulcers that make it difficult to use your hands or walk

If you don’t meet any of the requirements for these conditions, the SSA will review the medical evidenceyou provide to assess if it proves that you are disabled. Using the information, the agency will determine how well you can use your extremities as well as your ability to stand and walk. In some cases, the SSA may request a residual functional capacity form be filled out to measure what level of activity you are able to complete if you can focus and get along with others. Additionally, the organization will review notes and results from doctors and any tests that have been done in addition to any statements from you, your family or friends regarding how diabetes makes you disabled.

Professional Assistance With Getting Social Security Benefits for Diabetes

Navigating the application process to get Social Security benefits for diabetes can be tricky, so you might want to consider professional assistance from a specialized attorney or advocate. He or she will have the background knowledge needed to help you accurately complete your claim to offer you the best chance of an approval the first time around.

Click here now for your free SSD evaluation.