Does Inflammatory Bowel Disease Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
Various types of digestive system disorders can result in physical discomfort, significant lifestyle changes, and disabling conditions. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is among those digestive disorders that can substantially affect a person’s life and general well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anywhere from 2.4 million to 3.1 million people are currently living in the United States with some form of IBD, and their annual health care costs total more than $8.5 million. Yet the financial and physical burdens are not shared equally across individuals with IBD. As the CDC underscores, there is a “differing burden across groups.”
Indeed, according to the Mayo Clinic, IBD can be experienced as a mild illness in some people, while other people can experience it as “a condition that causes disability and can lead to life-threatening complications.” If you have a form of IBD, you may be wondering about your eligibility for disability benefits. Our national SSDI attorneys can provide you with more information.
Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The term “inflammatory bowel disease” does not actually refer to a single condition. Rather, as the Mayo Clinic clarifies, IBD is an “umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the digestive tract.” Individuals with IBD are also at increased risk of colorectal cancers and other serious complications.
The two most common types of IBD include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis is a gastrointestinal condition that results in ulcers in the lining of a person’s colon and rectum. Crohn’s disease is a condition that involves inflammation of a person’s digestive tract and typically impacts a person’s small intestine. In some cases, it can also affect a person’s large intestine and upper gastrointestinal tract, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some People with IBD May Qualify for SSDI
Given that IBD can vary widely in terms of its impact from person to person, the condition itself does not make a person eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Instead, a person must be able to show that their condition is expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death, and that it prevents them from engaging in substantial gainful activity.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book specifically addresses inflammatory bowel disease in Section 5.06. In order for IBD to qualify for SSDI benefits, one of three situations (concerning the degree and effect of the condition) must apply. Generally speaking, a person’s IBD must be so severe that it has resulted in at least two hospitalizations, has caused significant health complications, or has been so recurrent that it has affected a person’s ability to complete activities of daily living, social functioning, or required tasks. You should discuss the specific requirements outlined in the Blue Book with a lawyer in connection with your medical records.
Contact a National Disability Benefits Lawyer for Assistance
If you are struggling with any type of IBD, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, and if your condition prevents you from engaging in meaningful work, you may be eligible to seek SSDI benefits. It is important to discuss the details of your situation with one of the experienced national SSDI benefits lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz as soon as you can. Contact us today for more information about SSDI benefits for adults with inflammatory bowel disease and other types of digestive disorders.
Sources:
cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/php/facts-stats/index.html#:~:text=U.S.%20prevalence%20of%20inflammatory%20bowel,health%20care%20costs%20are%20rising
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353315
ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/5.00-Digestive-Adult.htm
