Does Kidney Disease Qualify Me for SSDI?
Kidney disease, like most other medical conditions, may or may not qualify a person for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. To qualify for SSDI benefits, an applicant must:
- Have accrued sufficient work credits to be eligible for SSDI, and
- Meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) definition of disability
The number of work credits required depends in part on how old you were when you became disabled.
To meet the SSA definition of disability, you must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medical condition or combination of conditions. In addition, that disability must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months, or be expected to end in death.
Proving You are Disabled By Kidney Disease
There are two ways an applicant can be found disabled by the SSA. The first is to meet or equal a listing in the Social Security Blue Book. The other is more complicated.
The Blue Book has listings for several types of kidney disease and related conditions, including:
- Chronic kidney disease with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- Chronic kidney disease with kidney transplant
- Chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Complications of chronic kidney disease
Each has its own set of requirements to be deemed disabled. Some are fairly simple. For example, an SSDI applicant who has undergone a kidney transplant is considered disabled for one year after the transplant. After that, they will be assessed based on residual effects of the transplant.
Others are more complicated. For instance, chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function requires:
- Serum creatinine of 4 mg/dL or more, OR
- Creatinine clearance of 20 ml/min or less, OR
- Estimated eGFR of 20 ml/min/1.73m2 or less
Two of these test results are required, at least 90 days apart but in the same 12-month period. In addition, the applicant must show one of the following:
- Renal osteodystrophy with severe bone pain and imaging documenting bone abnormalities, OR
- Peripheral neuropathy, OR
- Fluid overload syndrome with specific types of documentation, OR
- Or anorexia with weight loss to a documented BMI of 18 or less on at least two occasions at least 90 days apart but in the same 12-month period
An experienced SSDI advocate can walk you through the Blue Book requirements for your condition and help ensure you have the documentation you need.
If you don’t meet the Blue Book criteria, you may still qualify for SSDI for kidney disease, or a combination of kidney disease and some other condition. To determine whether you are disabled, the SSA will look at the level of work you are capable of considering your medical limitations, then factor in other variables such as your age, educational level and past work experience.
Get Help with Your SSDI Application for Kidney Disease
The SSDI application and appeals processes can be daunting. To learn more about how an experienced advocate can help, call 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form right now.
