Can I Receive Social Security Disability for Diabetes?

Posted by Christopherle on February 11th, 2021

Symptoms and Complications of Adult Diabetes

Symptoms of both diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2 may include frequent urination, being thirsty and hungry, and extreme fatigue. Individuals with diabetes type 2 may also suffer from tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, as well as foot ulcers and infections that take a while to heal or could lead to potential amputation.

Some complications from diabetes include:

• nephropathy (kidney disease)

• neuropathy (nerve damage) numbness and tingling sensation in feet or hands that limits your ability to stand, walk, or use your hands

• retinopathy (eye and vision problems)

• cellulitis and other skin infections

• hypertension (high blood pressure)

• heart disease

• stroke

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Diabetes

If you suffer from uncontrolled diabetes and you have been unable to work for at least 12 months, or EXPECTED to be unable to work for at least 12 months, you may be eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI/SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. But in order to qualify and be approved, you must be able to prove that the damage caused by your diabetes severely limits your capabilities of doing daily activities, or you must have severe complications that meet the requirements of one of Social Security's medical disability listings. If your diabetes is well controlled than it is not a severe impairment. Also, if your diabetes is uncontrolled because you fail to follow your doctor's recommended treatment, you will likely not be eligible for disability benefits as noncompliance with treatment hurts your chances of being approved.

Meeting a Disability Listing for Diabetic Complications

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Listing of Impairments called the "Blue Book" that tells you how severe an illness must be to qualify for disability benefits. Unfortunately, diabetes, in itself, is no longer in the Blue Book list of impairments as it once was. BUT, if you have complications arising from your diabetes that do fall under another disability listing, you might be approved for benefits. So, if your complications do meet the requirements of a listing, you will automatically be approved for disability benefits. The following are some listings that people with complications from diabetes often suffer from: