Is Asthma Considered a Disability? Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can range from mild to severe and can significantly impact a person’s life and ability to work. Given the potential severity of each person’s experience, many individuals with asthma wonder whether their condition is considered a disability and if it qualifies them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

The Keener Law Firm wants you to know that asthma is a recognized disability that qualifies the person suffering from the condition to receive monthly Social Security Disability (SSDI or SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To qualify, your condition must be severe enough to meet the criteria explained in this article. At Keener Law, we will guide you through the claim process and prepare your application with all the available supporting evidence and medical records. We will advocate on your behalf and represent you during any necessary hearings or appeals. Let our experienced disability law attorneys and advocates get you the disability benefits to which you are entitled. Contact Keener Law today.

Understanding Asthma as a Disability

Asthma is the inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These symptoms can vary in frequency and intensity. They sometimes require emergency medical attention.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does consider asthma to be a disability, but not in all cases. Whether asthma qualifies as a disability depends on its severity and the extent to which it limits the sufferer’s ability to perform work.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Breathing is one of these major life activities. Therefore, if asthma severely impacts an individual’s ability to breathe and, by extension, perform essential tasks, it can be classified as a disability under the ADA. But this classification only ensures an employer must provide workplace accommodations and protection against discrimination. This is not the definition used by the Social Security Administration.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits

What Is a Disability?

When it comes to qualifying for SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses its own specific definition of a “disability:”

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that lasts or is expected to last at least 12 month (or result in death) and prevents the person from performing “substantial gainful activities” (SGAs).

If a person’s asthma is severe enough to persist for 12 months and prevent their working enough hours to constitute “substantial gainful activities,” then disability benefits are likely to be available.

What is “Substantial Gainful Activity?” (SGA)

Substantial gainful activity is the term the Social Security Administration uses as the measure of whether someone can earn enough money to support themselves. In 2024, the SSA has set $1,550 per month as the income cap for disability benefits eligibility. For a claimant who is blind, the figure is $2,590 per month. Calculating what earned income counts and what exemptions or deductions can apply to reduce the total countable income is a topic more expansive than this article can cover. Look for it in another article on this site.

How Asthma Qualifies as a Disability for Social Security

The Social Security Administration has identified specific criteria it applies to determine if a claimant’s asthma is severe enough to entitle them to disability benefits. The SSA’s evaluation process is detailed in the Blue Book, which lists various impairments and the criteria required to qualify for benefits. Asthma is covered under the respiratory disorders section, specifically under Listing 3.03.

To qualify for disability benefits due to asthma, an individual must provide medical evidence demonstrating that their condition meets the SSA’s criteria. The criteria are generally based on the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, as well as the impact on lung function.

Criteria for SSDI and SSI

1. Frequent Severe Asthma Attacks: To qualify, an asthma sufferer should have severe asthma attacks despite prescribed treatment. The attacks must require hospitalization more than two times in a twelve-month period, each lasting at least 48 hours. (There are also Residual Function Capacity assessments that may help you qualify if you do not meet this precise criteria)
2. Lung Function Tests: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs), called spirometry, measure the functionality of your lungs. The SSA uses these test results to determine the severity of your asthma. Lung function that falls below a certain threshold will support your claim for disability benefits.
3. Chronic Impairments: If your asthma leads to chronic impairments that prevent you from performing daily activities or working, you could also qualify. This could include frequent hospitalizations or the need for continuous medication and oxygen therapy.

Medical Documentation and Evidence

To successfully claim disability benefits for asthma, the Social Security Administration will require comprehensive medical documentation is crucial. This includes:

• Medical Records: Detailed records from your healthcare providers documenting the diagnosis, treatment, and progression of your asthma. This should include notes from your doctor, hospital records, and emergency room visits.
• Pulmonary Function Test Results: Results from tests like spirometry that measure lung function. These tests are often repeated over time to track the severity and progression of the condition.
• Treatment History: Documentation of all treatments you’ve tried, including medications, inhalers, and any other therapies. It’s important to show that you’ve followed your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.
• Hospitalization Records: Records of any hospital stays or emergency room visits due to asthma attacks. These records help demonstrate the frequency and severity of your asthma episodes.

Impact on Daily Life and Work

For the SSA to consider asthma as a disability, it’s important to demonstrate how the condition affects your ability to work and perform daily activities. This could include:

• Work History: Documentation showing how asthma has impacted your ability to work. This could include frequent absences from work, the need for special accommodations, or a reduced capacity to perform job duties.
• Personal Statements: Statements from you, your family, or colleagues about how asthma affects your daily life provide insight into the challenges you face managing your condition.
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment: The SSA may conduct an RFC assessment to evaluate your physical capabilities and how asthma limits your ability to perform work-related activities.

Applying for SSDI benefits can be challenging for anyone with limited experience dealing with the special issues and procedures in the Social Security Administration’s disability application process. Get help from professionals who handle these matters every day and have represented thousands of disability claimants over the years. Call The Keener Law Firm today.