How to Get Disability Benefits for Diabetes

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be entitled to disability benefits as long as you are able to show the SSA that it is severe enough where it impacts your ability to work full-time.

Sometimes, those with diabetes are unable to qualify if they can manage their disease through medication and lifestyle changes. 

If you are unable to qualify through the diabetes listing in the SSA’s Blue Book, you might still be able to qualify under other conditions, as diabetes can cause vision loss, kidney disease and heart disease which are all conditions that also qualify for disability.

Can You Get Disability Benefits for Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes?

Yes, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can qualify for disability benefits, but it depends on the severity of the condition and its impact on your ability to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates diabetes under its listing for endocrine disorders.

For Type 1 diabetes, the SSA considers how well your condition is managed with insulin therapy and whether it leads to severe complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, kidney disease, or vision problems. Similarly, Type 2 diabetes can qualify if it results in serious complications that prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA).

To be eligible, you must demonstrate that your diabetes is uncontrolled or poorly controlled despite adherence to treatment, and that it significantly limits your ability to function. 

How to Apply for Disability Benefits with Diabetes

1. Consult a Disability Attorney

If you’re considering applying for disability benefits with diabetes, consulting a disability attorney can be valuable.

A disability attorney can help you understand the SSA’s specific requirements for diabetes-related claims, guide you in gathering the necessary medical evidence, and ensure that your application is completed correctly.

Having legal representation can also be crucial if your initial application is denied, as your attorney can assist you in filing an appeal and representing you at hearings.

The best part is, you don’t have to pay a disability attorney until your claim is approved! With their expertise, a disability attorney can improve your chances of successfully securing the benefits you need.
 

2. Meeting the Medical Criteria Set By the SSA For Diabetes 

Diabetes is listed in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) impairment listing manual, or “Blue Book,” as a condition which can qualify a person for Social Security Disability. 

The SSA makes no distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, however, and no mention is made in the Diabetes listing of any of the severe health problems caused by the condition.

Fortunately, many of these severe health problems are listed in the Blue Book as separate disabling conditions, as the SSA’s qualification criteria focus on the actual health problems that affect an applicant’s ability to function in work and basic tasks, rather than specifically on a Diabetes diagnosis.

In order to qualify for disability benefits on the basis of Diabetes, your doctor must diagnose you as having Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes) and at least one of the following conditions:

  1. Neuropathy - abnormality of the nervous system that must significantly affect two extremities to the extent that a person experiences a “sustained disturbance” of movement of those extremities, or in walking, or in simply standing.
  2. Acidosis - the abnormal increase in the acidity of bodily fluid that occurs at least once in every two months and which is documented by blood tests.
  3. Diabetic Retinopathy - damage to blood vessels inside the eye resulting in a significant loss of peripheral vision in the better of the two eyes, or a significant loss of visual acuity in the better of the two eyes. To meet this criterion, the severity of the damage must be such that the person is virtually blind.

Most of the time, applicants will be approved for disability benefits on the basis of Diabetes only in conjunction with one or more other disabling conditions that have been caused by the disease. 

Additional Requirements

Work Requirements: If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with diabetes, you need to have a certain number of work credits to qualify as SSDI benefits are for those who at one point could work full time, but now can’t because of a disability like diabetes. Work credits are earned by working and paying into Social Security taxes. A general rule of thumb is if you worked for at least 5 of the last 10 years, you will have enough work credits. 

Financial Requirements: If you are looking to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with diabetes, you need to meet the financial requirements as SSI benefits are for those with a disability like diabetes, but with very limited income and resources. The SSI asset limit in 2024 is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. As for SSDI benefits, you must not earn more than the SGA, which is $1,550 for non-blind individuals, and $2,590 for blind individuals.

3. Gather Medical Records

Next, you’ll need to collect necessary medical records to prove your disability to the SSA. Your medical records should include detailed documentation from your doctors, including diagnosis, treatment, blood sugar levels, and any complications that have arisen from the condition.

Documentation of hospitalizations, lab results, and notes on how diabetes affects your daily life and work capacity are also important. 

Statements from your doctors that describe the severity of your diabetes and its impact on your ability to perform basic work tasks can strengthen your application.

Having a complete medical record will help the SSA assess the full extent of your condition. Your disability attorney will walk you through this process, ensuring you collect the most compelling evidence needed to get you approved for benefits.

4. Fill Out Application & Submit

Once you have gathered all necessary medical records, the next step is to fill out and submit your disability application. 

When completing the application, be sure to provide detailed information about your diabetes, including how it limits your ability to work and carry out daily activities.

It’s important to be thorough in your responses and ensure that all sections of the application are completed. Your lawyer will help walk you through the application to simplify the process.

Applications can be found online, or you can call the SSA or visit your local Social Security office.

Make sure to double check your application with your lawyer to ensure you’ve provided all the evidence needed and you can prevent any problems or delays.

5. Track Application Status

After you’ve submitted your application you and your lawyer will want to keep an eye on its progress. You can do this by checking the status online via the SSA’s official website or by contacting their offices directly. 

By regularly monitoring your application, you can quickly address any additional information requests or follow-up actions needed by the SSA. Staying proactive during this phase is key to ensuring your application moves forward smoothly. 

Staying in tight communication with your disability lawyer is also important, as they can provide insights or updates on what to expect next and help you stay prepared throughout the process.
6. Appeals Process

If your disability application for diabetes is initially denied, remember that this is not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal the decision, which can often lead to a successful outcome.

The appeals process starts with filing a request for reconsideration, where your case will be reviewed by a fresh set of eyes. If this doesn’t result in approval, the next step is to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). 

This gives you the chance to present new evidence or clarify points that may have been misunderstood initially.

Having a skilled disability attorney represent you during the appeals process can greatly increase your chances of overturning the denial, as they can help gather additional documentation, prepare you for the hearing, and advocate on your behalf.

How Hard Is It to Get Disability Benefits for Diabetes?

Receiving disability for diabetes can be challenging, especially because the SSA requires substantial proof that the condition is severe enough to prevent gainful employment.

Diabetes itself may not qualify unless it leads to serious complications like neuropathy, kidney disease, or vision loss. 

The SSA evaluates how well your condition is controlled with treatment, and whether it results in significant limitations in your ability to work. 

Even if you have frequent and severe symptoms, you must provide extensive medical evidence, including regular test results, doctor’s reports, and documentation of how diabetes interferes with your daily activities. 

The application process can be tough and many claims are initially denied due to a lack of documentation or failure to meet the SSA’s strict criteria. Detailed medical records and legal assistance are key to improving your chances of approval.

How Much Can You Receive from Diabetes Benefits?

If you are disabled because of the health impairments caused by Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes prevent you from working, you may be entitled to Diabetes disability benefits.

In 2024, the maximum amount you can receive per month for SSDI is $3,882, while the SSI maximum is $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples. 

To see how much you could earn for disability for diabetes, use our Social Security benefits calculator.

Although total disability based on Diabetes and its related conditions can be difficult to prove compared to other disabling conditions, working closely with your doctors and a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or disability advocate can help to ensure that your Diabetes disability case can have the highest possible chance of success.

Take our free disability evaluation survey at the top of the page to see if you qualify for disability benefits for diabetes.

Additional Resources