Can You Get Disability Benefits for Diabetes?

Diabetes concept with blood sugar meter and stethoscope on light blue background,

Can you get disability benefits for diabetes? The answer is yes and no. While a slim number of applicants may qualify based on diabetes alone, most require the accompaniment of serious health complications to be approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. An experienced disability attorney can explain your eligibility. Schedule a free case evaluation to have a legal professional clarify the specific circumstances of your diabetes and SSD claim.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes self-testing and diabetes prevention at home.

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder affecting how the body produces or uses insulin. It’s a chronic medical condition affecting millions of Americans, some to the point of debilitating. There are several types of diabetes. However, there are two primary types:

  • Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, failing to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is typically managed with insulin injections (daily) or a pump.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: A condition in which your body doesn’t produce enough insulin and/or you experience insulin resistance because your cells don’t respond normally to insulin. 

For many people, living with diabetes is manageable. However, for others, it can leave them questioning—can you get disability benefits for diabetes? It has the potential to become challenging to control and lead to various conditions that make maintaining employment and daily life tasks difficult or impossible.

Is Diabetes a Disability?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are Social Security Administration (SSA) programs that provide monthly income to individuals who can no longer work due to disability. If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes accompanied by serious health problems related to diabetes and can no longer work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Getting Disability Benefits for Diabetes

A diabetes patient on wheel chair speaking with a lady

While many diabetes cases respond well to medication and lifestyle changes, others may create long-lasting health problems, preventing a person’s ability to maintain employment. Though not an exhaustive list, some qualifying impairments that may get a disability claim approved when experienced in conjunction with diabetes are as follows:

  • Amputation of an Extremity—under the musculoskeletal system listings (1.00).
  • Diabetic Neuropathy—under the neurological listings (11.00).
  • Diabetic Retinopathy—under the special senses and speech listings (2.00).
  • Slow-Healing Bacterial and Fungal Infections—under the skin disorders listings (8.00).
  • Diabetic Nephropathy—under the genitourinary impairments listings (6.00).
  • Hypertension, Cardiac Arrhythmias, and Heart Failure—under the cardiovascular system listings (4.00).
  • Cognitive Impairments, Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorders—under the mental disorders listings (12.00).
  • Gastroparesis and Ischemic Bowel Disease/Intestinal Necrosis—under the digestive system listings (5.00).

Evaluating the effects of diabetes on other body systems requires adequate form completion and detailed medical evidence documenting how diabetes prevents you from working. Experienced disability lawyers are familiar with these codes and the necessary documentation to get the SSA to approve your disability benefits for diabetes.

Applicants should take advantage of free consultations to see how a disability lawyer will work diligently to get the SSA’s approval for their diabetes disability claim. Recent Social Security claim approval statistics demonstrate that claimants with legal representation are 3.3 times more likely to be approved for benefits than those without.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits for Diabetes Based on Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

You may still qualify for benefits, even if the SSA doesn’t accept that you’re medically disabled under a Blue Book listing. When the effects of diabetes, whether alone or in combination with other impairments, are severe but don’t meet or equal the criteria of a listing, the SSA will assess an adult’s residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC is the most you can do despite your limitations.

Limitations for applicants with diabetes may include how much weight you can lift or carry or how long you can sit, stand, or walk. The SSA uses your RFC to determine your capability to do any of your former jobs. You must prove that there are no jobs available that you can do with your current limitations.

How a Disability Lawyer Can Get You Disability Benefits for Diabetes

Disability Attorney in his office

You don’t have to navigate the SSA’s disability claims process for SSI or SSDI benefits alone. Disability lawyers work within contingent fee arrangements. These arrangements permit anyone to retain legal counsel without paying upfront or out-of-pocket costs.

They also stipulate your lawyer’s fee is contingent on your lawyer’s success in getting your disability claim approved. Disability attorneys can help claimants get disability benefits for diabetes in the following ways:

  • Gathering Comprehensive Medical Records: Your disability attorney will collect all relevant medical records from treating physicians, ensuring the proper documentation of your diabetes diagnosis, treatment plan, complications (vision issues, neuropathy), and how the complications impact your ability to work and daily life tasks.
  • Consulting With Treating Doctors: Your lawyer may also request medical opinions from your treating physicians detailing the limitations your diabetes imposes and how it affects your ability to perform work-related duties and daily tasks. They will consult with doctors to ensure favorable physician notes.
  • Identifying Qualifying Disability Listings: Social Security lawyers are highly knowledgeable about the SSA’s listing of impairments and how to identify related complications that may qualify your diabetes. They will investigate all possibilities.
  • Preparing a Strong Case: Attorneys will prepare a strong case by completing and filing proper paperwork and providing detailed medical evidence documenting the severity of your condition and how it impacts your ability to work. They will also obtain expert opinions from your treating doctors, other medical professionals, and vocational evaluators. Finally, they will build strong legal arguments, connecting your diabetes limitations to qualifying disability criteria.
  • Representing You at Hearings: If your initial claim is denied (a common occurrence your lawyer prepares for), they will represent your diabetes claim at an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing. ALJ hearings allow attorneys to present carefully prepared arguments, cross-examine medical experts, and advocate for your disability benefits claim for diabetes. 

Schedule your free initial consultation to have your diabetes case evaluated by a disability lawyer. They will identify your claim’s strengths and weaknesses, advise you on possible outcomes, and represent your claim if they determine it’s valid.