Are you wondering, “Can you get disability benefits for a blood disorder?” The answer is yes, you can. The key is proving that your condition limits your ability to work.
At O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group, we help people with disabilities obtain Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. If you’re suffering from a blood disorder that leaves you unable to earn a living wage, we can help you gain financial support.
What Is a Blood Disorder?
A blood disorder is a condition that disrupts the normal development and function of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and clotting factors. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a blood disorder is a disability when it prevents you from working.
These disorders can cause many disabling symptoms, such as chronic anemia, fatigue, pain, infections, malaise, and other complications. Such conditions can limit a person’s ability to lift heavy items, stand for long periods, maintain balance, communicate, and understand instructions.
How To Qualify for Disability With a Blood Disorder
To receive disability benefits for a blood disorder or any disability, you must meet certain criteria. The SSA requires claimants to meet the following criteria before they can be eligible for disability benefits:
- Your disability must prevent you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
- Your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
- Your disability must be a qualifying condition in the SSA’s Blue Book.
What Blood Disorders Qualify for Disability?
Many blood disorders can qualify for Social Security Disability. Those listed in the SSA’s Blue Book of qualifying impairments include both non-malignant and malignant disorders. Non-malignant hematological disorders are under section 7.00 and include:
- Hemolytic anemias, such as sickle cell disease
- Disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis, such as hemophilia
- Disorders of bone marrow failure, such as aplastic anemia
- Hematological disorders treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
Repeated complications of hematological disorders, such as retinopathy, skin ulcers, or limited joint movement, are also under section 7.00.
If your blood disorder is not under section 7.00, you may qualify for disability benefits under another body listing. For example, polycythemia vera (PV) is a blood cancer that the SSA evaluates based on the specific body systems it impacts. A PV claim might be evaluated under sections 3.00, 4.00, 7.00, or 11.00.
Other malignant hematological disorders, such as lymphoma or leukemia, are under section 13.00. However, two lymphomas associated with HIV are under section 14.00.
Hemolytic Anemias in the Blue Book
Section 7.05 of the Blue Book covers hemolytic anemias, including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and related variants. These conditions happen when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. As a result, a person may suffer from severe fatigue, pain episodes, shortness of breath, weakness, organ complications, and repeated medical crises.
A person may meet Listing 7.05 if medical records show one of the following:
- Repeated painful crises (occurring at least 6 times within 12 months, at least 30 days apart) that require IV or injectable narcotic medication
- At least 3 hospitalizations for complications of hemolytic anemia (within a 12-month timeframe and taking place at least 30 days apart)
- Dangerously low hemoglobin levels (occurring at least 3 times within a 12-month timeframe, at least 30 days between measurements)
- Beta thalassemia major requiring lifelong red blood cell transfusions at least once every 6 weeks
How To Meet Blue Book Criteria for a Blood Disorder
The Blue Book contains medical criteria for many impairments that may qualify for disability. To show that your condition meets or equals one of these listings, you must provide strong medical evidence. This typically includes:
- A confirmed diagnosis
- Treatment records
- Hospital records
- Laboratory test results
- Physician notes
- Other documentation that demonstrates the severity of your condition and how it affects your ability to work
Emergency room records, admission notes, discharge summaries, and hematology records can all help support your claim.
Other Supportive Evidence
Other essential records may include:
- Information about how often you experience symptoms
- Results of past treatments
- A list of current medications
- Non-medical evidence, such as statements from family or coworkers about how your blood disorder affects your daily life
- Work-related information, such as a history of work absences or special accommodations
What If My Disability Isn’t in the Blue Book?
If your disability (or combination of disabilities) isn’t in the Blue Book, you may still qualify for SSD. Many applicants find that their disability does not satisfy one specific listing. Others can’t meet medical criteria under any listing but are still unable to perform work-related tasks.
If your disability doesn’t meet an impairment listing, you may qualify for benefits if:
- Your condition equals a listing in severity, OR
- Your condition prevents you from performing any previous types of work or adjusting to other work
The SSA will review your health conditions, age, prior work history, education level, and any transferable skills you might have. If you’re unable to perform other work, they will determine that you qualify for disability.
How O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group Can Help
Applying for disability benefits for a blood disorder can be complicated and stressful. Working with a qualified Social Security Disability lawyer can help make the challenge easier.
Our experienced attorneys work on all types of disability claims. At O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group, we handle all of the legal steps and help you understand the claims process. When you work with us, we will:
- Gather crucial medical evidence to support your claim
- Make sure your application is filed correctly and on time
- Maintain consistent communication on the status of your claim and ensure you receive updates at every stage
- Ensure your application clearly demonstrates the severity of your condition
- Represent you if you need to appeal a denied claim
- Communicate with the SSA on your behalf
Whether you’re filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a blood disorder, our lawyers can help. We will answer your questions and help you understand the road to benefits.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you’re living with a blood disorder and unable to work, reach out to our law firm. At O’Neil and Bowman Disability Group, we believe in helping people get the benefits they need and deserve. We serve clients in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and take the first step towards securing benefits. Let us fight for you while you focus on your health.
FAQs
Is anemia a disability?
Yes, anemia can be a disability if it is severe enough to prevent you from working. A diagnosis alone does not qualify you for SSD benefits. The Social Security Administration reviews the cause of your anemia, your medical evidence, and how the condition affects your ability to work. You may qualify for Social Security Disability for anemia if your condition meets or equals an SSA Blue Book listing or if your symptoms prevent you from maintaining full-time employment.
Can sickle cell disease qualify for disability?
Yes, sickle cell disease can qualify for Social Security Disability if it’s severe enough to stop you from working. You may qualify if your symptoms and limitations make it impossible to maintain full-time employment.
How long does it take to get disability benefits for a blood disorder?
The time it takes to receive disability benefits depends on your case. An initial decision may take several months, and appeals can take longer. Delays are common if additional medical records or information are needed. Providing complete medical evidence and a properly prepared application from the beginning can help reduce delays and improve your chances of approval.
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