Can I Claim Social Security Benefits If I have Chronic Anemia?
Are you suffering from chronic anemia?
If yes, you probably experience symptoms that prevent you from working full-time and earning enough to support yourself and your family. You may also worry about significant treatment expenses to minimize your symptoms and avoid complications.
You may thus wonder if you can claim disability benefits for chronic anemia to receive additional financial assistance.
And what are the qualifications to remember for your condition?
How Chronic Anemia Affects a Person
Chronic anemia occurs when you have a significantly low level of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. It often results from other ailments like:
- Kidney disease
- Gastrointestinal ailments
- Certain cancers
- Hypothyroidism
And this condition causes symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of Dress
- Fainting
Chronic anemia may thus prevent you from working full-time as it may cause severe physical limitations. For example, it could make you unable to work eight hours a day and cause you to faint in the workplace.
You subsequently take more time off from work to get medical check-ups, treatment sessions, hospital stays, and blood transfusions. You also end up spending significantly on treatment costs while losing income opportunities.
Qualifying Chronic Anemia
A qualifying health condition must be debilitating enough to prevent you from working full-time to earn enough and last for at least 12 months.
Here are some points to remember to help you qualify chronic anemia as a disability. Hiring a Burbank Social Security benefits lawyer will also help give you a successful disability benefits application.
1. Qualify through the Blue Book Listing for Hematological Disorders
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the Blue Book listing 7.00 as a guide when qualifying blood disorders as disabilities.
- If you have hemolytic anemia, listing 7.05 requires you to meet one of these conditions:
- Severe crises require intensive treatments at least six times within 12 months, with at least 30 days gap between each crisis
- Three hospitalizations of at least 48 hours each within 12 months, with at least 30 days gap between each event
7.0 grams per deciliter hemoglobin measurement or lower, occurring at least three times in a year - Requiring ongoing blood transfusion once every six weeks
Moreover, you may also qualify through listing 7.18 if you experience severe symptoms like fainting, excessive fatigue, and pain. These symptoms must also significantly affect your:
- Daily living activities
- Social interaction
- Ability to complete particular tasks within a usual period
For example, fatigue prevents you from performing household tasks or going out with your friends. You will also be unable to finish a regular workplace task on time because you need frequent rest.
2. Qualifying through Other Blue Book Listings
As mentioned above, chronic anemia may result from other ailments like certain cancers and hypothyroidism. So, you may also check the Blue Book listing for other health conditions you may have to see if you meet their requirements.
For example, you may check to list 13.00 along with 7.00 if cancer caused your chronic anemia.
Consulting a Burbank Social Security benefits lawyer helps you know more about the Blue Book and check if your condition qualifies.
Hire a Social Security Benefits Attorney in Burbank to Claim Benefits for Chronic Anemia
Chronic anemia can significantly affect different aspects of your life. It makes you unable to function, affects your social interaction, and leads to substantial medical expenses.
You thus deserve to receive disability benefits while you battle chronic anemia. A Burbank Social Security benefits lawyer will handle your claim while you focus on your treatment and rest.