Diabetes may make it difficult for you to continue a normal life. Once it becomes hard to work, you may wonder if you can apply for your Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI benefits.
If you have worked and paid into the Social Security system and have diabetes, you may qualify for benefits. Find out more about what you need to submit a request for SSDI.
What does diabetes do to your body?
When your pancreas can no longer process sugar, it releases irregular amounts of insulin. If you have Type 1 diabetes, you are insulin deprived and need shots of it to help your body absorb sugar. Type 2 diabetics are insulin resistant, and blood sugar levels rise to dangerous levels without medication. Both types of diabetes can result in debilitating consequences.
How does diabetes cause disability?
Diabetes does not only impact your pancreas. Several other body systems may feel the effects of either too little or too much sugar. The most common secondary medical condition is neuropathy. This affects the way nerves fire in various areas of the body. Neuropathy can become a very painful and debilitating condition, especially in the extremities.
What does it take for you to qualify for SSDI?
The Social Security Administration lists diabetes as a qualifying condition. However, you need to provide sufficient medical evidence to prove that your case has made it impossible to work. Along with having diabetes for at least a year, your medical record should show you suffer from another related issue, such as neuropathy, retinopathy or acidosis.
Do not continue to try and push yourself to work through the pain of diabetes. Get assistance with filing the proper paperwork with SSA and put yourself on the path to receiving your benefits.
