When chronic kidney disease progresses to the point where you can no longer work, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can provide much-needed financial support. However, the SSDI application process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with a serious illness.
Louisiana disability lawyer Phillip M. Hendry helps individuals with chronic kidney disease understand their eligibility for SSDI benefits. With over 35 years as an attorney, he knows what the Social Security Administration is looking for in a successful application. Keep reading to learn more about the criteria for evaluating disability claims for chronic kidney disease.
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Qualifying for SSDI Benefits Under the Blue Book Listing
The Social Security Administration maintains a listing called the Blue Book for evaluating SSDI applications. This resource outlines the criteria that must be met for different disabling conditions to be approved for benefits.
Chronic kidney disease appears under section 6.00, genitourinary disorders. To qualify for benefits, your medical records must show you have chronic kidney disease along with one of the following:
- Chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- Kidney transplant
- Impairment of kidney function
Dialysis Patients
If you need chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, you meet the Blue Book criteria for disability. However, you'll need to provide detailed records of your dialysis treatments, including:
- Frequency of treatments
- Duration of treatments
- Any complicating factors that arise during treatments
End-stage renal disease patients receiving dialysis may be eligible for an expedited claims review process. However, you must still meet the standard non-medical criteria for SSDI, including having sufficient work credits.
Kidney Transplant Recipients
A kidney transplant qualifies you for SSDI for 12 months after the date of your transplant surgery. At the end of this 12-month period, the Social Security Administration will evaluate whether you still qualify for benefits. This evaluation looks at factors such as:
- Any signs of kidney rejection
- Frequency of kidney infections
- Side effects of immunosuppressant medications
You may be eligible for an expedited reinstatement of your benefits if you've returned to work after a kidney transplant but are no longer able to continue working within 36 months of your transplant.
Kidney Function Impairment
To qualify for SSDI benefits with impairment of kidney function, you'll need to provide specific laboratory results documenting reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) along with one of the following complications:
- Renal osteodystrophy
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fluid overload syndrome
- Anorexia (loss of appetite) with weight loss
The SSA Blue Book listing outlines the necessary diagnostic test results and their required timeframes to qualify for benefits. Your Louisiana disability lawyer can review your medical records to determine if you meet the specific criteria.
Medical Evidence for SSDI Applications
It’s crucial to provide the proper evidence of your impairment, so communicate with all your health care providers and gather all necessary documentation. Your medical evidence should include:
- Laboratory results (blood and urine tests) related to your condition
- Imaging test results such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs showing abnormalities related to your condition
- Examination notes related to your impairment
- Hospital and surgery records
- Blood pressure readings and other related diagnostic results
Collecting all the necessary medical evidence to prove your kidney function impairment can be difficult. An experienced Louisiana disability attorney can help you with documentation and ensure your application is as strong as possible.
Getting Approved for SSDI When You Don't Meet a Blue Book Listing
Even if you can't qualify for automatic approval under the chronic kidney disease listing, you still may be eligible for benefits if you can show that your symptoms are equal in severity to another listing or that your kidney disease prevents you from working.
A Louisiana disability lawyer can work to prove that you are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity because of complications related to chronic kidney disease. Using medical evidence, a lawyer can thoroughly document the limitations caused by your condition.
Maximizing Your Chances of Approval
When applying for SSDI with chronic kidney disease, keep these points in mind:
- You must meet the Blue Book criteria outlined in the genitourinary disorders section or demonstrate that your kidney disease symptoms are equal in severity to another listing
- If you don't meet a Blue Book listing, you can still qualify if you prove your symptoms prevent you from working
- Receiving dialysis or having a kidney transplant can qualify you for benefits
- Detailed medical records are essential to proving your eligibility
Applying for SSDI with chronic kidney disease is much easier with help from a knowledgeable Louisiana disability lawyer. At the law office of Phillip M. Hendry, our sole focus is to help disabled individuals in Louisiana and the surrounding areas get the benefits they deserve.