Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin to control the glucose (blood sugar) level. There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 diabetes where your immune system will destroy your pancreatic cells, thus making the insulin production impossible; and type 2 diabetes which is related to obesity and unhealthy eating habits. Since diabetes is a serious condition that will demand continuous use of medications, people may wonder whether you can get disability for diabetes or not.
Can You Get Disability for Diabetes?
The answer is yes, you can get disability for any type of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes or people with complications caused by diabetes, such as loss of eye sight or diabetic foot, can qualify for Social Security benefits. However, if your diabetes is well-controlled, you may not be a candidate to get the benefits unless you also suffer from another medical condition that limits your work ability. There are several conditions and requirements that you need to meet in order to qualify:
- Acidosis. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead you to a clinic condition called acidosis which occurs at least once every 2 months, and this must be well-documented with blood tests and a clinical history.
- Neuropathy (nerve damage). This is a very common cause of disability since it will significantly reduce the person’s capacity to feel any damage to the limb as well as decrease the capacity to walk or even just stand. Both extremities must be affected to be qualified for disability benefits.
- Eye damage. Can you get disability for diabetes? Yes, and a serious peripheral eye sight loss or reduction in visual acuity in both eyes can make you qualified.
- Amputation. In this case the amputation of two extremities, for example, the amputation of a hand and a foot, or both hands or feet is more likely to secure you a disability and the chance of receiving benefits from it.
- Fatigue. In some cases, disability benefits can be granted to those people whose diabetes keep them too fatigued to complete a whole working day, or those who have complications that make them have to miss 2 or more days every month.
- Other uncontrolled complications. Uncontrolled diabetes complications such as heart disease or kidney failure qualify you for disability benefits.
The Benefits of Getting Disability for Diabetes
After having your application approved, you will start receiving monthly cash payments for around $1000 to $1200, depending on your financial condition. After 2 years, you can apply for Medicare despite your age. However, if you have a low income, then maybe you can be eligible for Medicaid earlier.
How to Apply for Disability for Diabetes
Can you get disability for diabetes? You already know the answer; then how can you apply for it?
- The first step is to collect all the medical evidence that you have about your condition in order to make a strong case, which includes your mental and physical medical history, ultrasounds and blood tests results where your diagnosis and complications (if you have any) are stated, any ER medical record and all the written certificates that your physician can provide. Failing to complete this step will most likely lead you to be denied by the Social Security disability benefits for a lack of evidence.
- The second step is to start the application process through the Social Security website or in person at any local Social Security office. Make sure to fill all the forms thoroughly in order to give the Social Security Administration a better understanding of your condition and capacities as well as your limitations.
- When the two previous steps are completed, you just need to wait and be patient since the decision can take months to arrive. In the meantime you can continue collecting medical evidence and certificates in case an appealing is necessary. After a denial you will have 60 days to appeal if you think the decision is unfair.
The Importance of Hiring an SSD Attorney for Winning Disability Benefits for Diabetes
Can you get disability for diabetes? Yes, but you'd better hire an SSD attorney to make it for sure. Even if you think you have a strong case favoring your claim to receive Social Security Disability benefits for diabetes, a lawyer is of great help to avoid a denial. Only seasoned lawyers know what the judge wants in the medical records, what information to present and how to do it, what the judge might want to hear from you during the hearing, and many other relevant things that maybe are not so obvious for you. It is important to notice that the Social Security Disability lawyer will not be paid if you do not get your benefits granted, and this means that they will do anything in their power to make it happen.
