Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 38.4 million people, or 11.6% of the U.S. population, live with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and, for many, leads to serious health complications over time.
While Type 2 diabetes can significantly affect someone’s daily life, a diagnosis alone does not automatically mean those with the condition qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates disability claims based on how a condition limits a person’s ability to work, the severity of any related complications, and whether those limitations are expected to last at least 12 months.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how the body processes sugar. More specifically, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes occur when an individual’s endocrine system can no longer regulate insulin production or process glucose in the blood.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. It occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin, which is necessary to regulate blood sugar levels. People with Type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin to manage the condition. Symptoms often appear suddenly and may include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes most often develops later in life and is commonly associated with factors such as age, genetics, diet, and overall lifestyle. In this form of diabetes, the body still produces insulin but does not use it effectively, or does not produce enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The condition may develop gradually, with symptoms that are mild at first or go unnoticed. Over time, individuals may experience fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, slow-healing wounds, or numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Considered a Disability?
Type 2 diabetes doesn’t automatically qualify someone for benefits. This is because the SSA doesn’t award benefits based solely on a diagnosis. Rather, the SSA evaluates how diabetes affects someone’s ability to work and whether the condition has resulted in serious, long-term limitations.
For disability purposes, the SSA does not distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are evaluated under the same medical standards and are referred to as diabetes mellitus. This means that whether someone has Type 1 diabetes, which typically requires lifelong insulin use, or Type 2 diabetes, which may worsen over time, eligibility for disability benefits depends on the severity of the condition and any related complications rather than the type of diabetes itself.
In most cases, diabetes qualifies as a disability only when it causes significant medical complications or functional limitations that prevent a person from performing substantial work on a sustained basis. These limitations must be supported by medical evidence and are expected to last, or have already lasted, at least 12 consecutive months. If, however, your diabetes is uncontrolled because you refuse to follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment, you will be disqualified from receiving disability benefits.
Conditions that Support Disability for Diabetes
Diabetes does not have its own listing in the SSA’s Blue Book. You may qualify for benefits if the resulting physical conditions caused by your diabetes are severe enough that the condition meets a Blue Book listing.
To be eligible for benefits, your doctor must diagnose you with a qualifying condition, such as cardiovascular problems, diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), neuropathy, acidosis, diabetic retinopathy, or amputation of an extremity.
Similarly, if you have diabetes along with another impairment such as obesity or depression, the SSA must consider the combined effects of all of your impairments when determining if you are eligible for disability benefits.
Need Help with Your Disability Claim?
If you believe your diabetes has caused significant limitations that may qualify you for Social Security disability benefits, it can help to speak with an experienced attorney. Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys can review your medical records, assess the strength of your claim, and guide you through every step of the process. This includes first-time applications, appeals after a denial, or requests for reconsideration. With professional, compassionate guidance, you can present your claim most clearly and completely, helping the SSA understand how your condition affects your ability to work. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.