Social Security Disability (SSD) could be crucial if a medical condition prevents you from working. Yet it’s not always clear which conditions are eligible. What’s the situation if you have asthma?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) shares its assessment guidelines in its Blue Book. This explains how the agency will consider various conditions, including asthma.
How bad is it?
The SSA may ask you to take a spirometry test to measure your ability to breathe air in or out of your lungs. They’ll compare the results against the averages for your age, height and gender.
Will it stop you from working for at least 12 months?
This is the base for most disability benefits claims – you need to show that your condition prevents you from working for at least a year.
Could you do anything to reduce asthma’s effect on you?
The SSA will want to see that you are doing everything possible to ease your condition. If they spot things you are not trying, they may insist you try them for a specific amount of time to see if they make a difference.
What if my asthma leads to respiratory failure?
If this happens, the SSA can consider approving your claim under a different set of guidelines – those for respiratory failure. You’d typically need to show you’ve required serious medical intervention lasting at least 48 hours on two separate occasions, 30 days or more apart.
Asthma-related SSD claims can be challenging. If you believe you qualify for benefits, consider legal assistance to compile the evidence needed to build a strong initial application.