Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Social Security Disability Benefits

Illinois Lawyer for Social Security Disability Benefits

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. The disease causes a number of symptoms including but not limited to: diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and severe abdominal pain. It is a fairly rare disease for which there is currently no cure.

If you or someone you know suffers from IBD and want to see if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI), contact Pearson Disability Law, LLC at 312-999-0999.

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

IBD is absolutely recognized by the Social Security Administration! If IBD is preventing you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). When you apply for disability benefits with IBD, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. If you meet a listing, fantastic you will be found disabled. If you do not meet a listing, the Social Security Administration will then evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)) and determine whether you are entitled to disability benefits.

Is There A Specific Listing For Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The Social Security Administration recognizes IBD under Listing of Impairments 5.06: Inflammatory bowel disease, which can be found on the Social Security Administration website. However, because most of the listing is structured using medical terminology, it can be quite difficult to know whether you will meet the listing. If you or a family member suffers from IBD and are unable to work and want to know more about whether you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI), contact our attorneys at 312-999-0999.

If I Do Not Meet The Listing, Is There Another Way To Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Yes! If you do not meet Listing 5.06 and IBD is preventing you from working, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration will proceed with your case by evaluating your Residual Functional Capacity. To do this, the Administration will determine the most amount of work that you can do despite your limitations. They do this by dividing “work” into four different categories: heavy, medium, light, and sedentary. It is worth noting that there is sometimes a fifth category that is recognized for very heavy work; however, very heavy work is scarcely used. Whether a claimant wins his or her disability claim is greatly affected by which category he or she is ultimately put into. Being put into a lower category increases the likelihood that a claim is approved for Social Security disability benefits.