Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the intestines. As such there are two types of inflammatory bowel disease:
IBD can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, rectal bleeding, and weight loss that make it extremely difficult for you to work. If you or a loved one is not able to work because of an IBD condition, they may be entitled to win Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
However, winning SSI or SSDI benefits is overly difficult because of the difficult Social Security Disability (SSD) application process and complicated federal regulations. More than two-thirds of all applications for SSI or SSDI benefits made to the SSA are denied for one reason or the other. Contacting an experienced and capable Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Benefits Lawyer at The Keener Law Firm may help you win the benefits you need and deserve.
The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, also called the “Blue Book”. To win SSD benefits for a particular listing, you must satisfy the eligibility criteria prescribed for that listing. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is listed as a disabling condition under listing 5.06 of the SSA Blue Book.
To meet the eligibility criteria for the said listing, your bowel disease must be documented by endoscopy, biopsy, surgery, or appropriate imaging (like a CT scan or x-ray). To qualify for disability benefits for IBD, your bowel disease must have resulted in severe weight loss, chronic anemia, or a physical abnormality like bowel obstruction, abscess, fistula, or tender abdominal mass.
Moreover, IBD must not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is altogether a different condition, and it is mostly more difficult to qualify for IBS Social Security Disability benefits.
Even if you do not qualify for the SSA Blue Book listing, you can still win IBD Disability Benefits based on an assessment of your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC).
To qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits for any medical condition, you must meet certain non-medical requirements.
For SSDI eligibility, you must have a long enough working record and must have paid sufficient Social Security taxes to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. On the other hand, qualifying for SSI benefits requires you to meet the income and resource limitations set by the Social Security Administration.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease can lead to several physical issues and mental trauma that make it difficult for a person to perform daily activities. An experienced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Disability Benefits Lawyer at our office can help you decide if you can successfully apply for SSD benefits. Contact The Keener Law Firm today for a free consultation and claim review.