If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are unable to work in any capacity, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. There is a wide range of impact CKD has on different patients, and as such, Social Security has three different listings under which it evaluates CKD claims.
Social Security Listing 6.03
The first type of CKD Social Security evaluates is CKD with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Applications for disability based on chronic kidney disease with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is evaluated under Listing 6.03. To meet this listing, you must be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and be on ongoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis must have lasted (or be expected to last) for a continuous period of at least twelve months.
Under this listing, Social Security will accept a report from your medical provider (as long as they are an accepted medical source) that describes your chronic kidney disease and that explains your dialysis treatment and that it will be ongoing.
Social Security Listing 6.04
Social Security has a special listing for patients who have chronic kidney disease and have received a kidney transplant, Listing 6.04. For those cases, Social Security will find the Claimant to be disabled for one year following the transplant. After that year, the agency will evaluate the residual impairment the Claimant continues to suffer from the CKD and transplant.
Social Security Listing 6.05
The final listing Social Security uses to analyze chronic kidney disease cases is Listing 6.05, which covers Claimants who suffer from chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function. Under this listing, you must meet both A and B below.
- You must have reduced glomerular filtration, documented on at least two occasions at least ninety days apart over a consecutive 12-month period. This can be proved by laboratory findings of (1) serum creatinine of 4 mg/dL or greater; (2) creatinine clearance of 20 ml/min or less; or (3) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 ml/min/1.73m2 or less
- You must also have at least one of the following symptoms:
- Renal osteodystrophy with severe bone pain and imaging studies that show bone abnormalities (i.e., osteitis fibrosa, osteomalacia, or pathologic fractures);
- Peripheral neuropathy;
- Fluid overload syndrome;
- Anorexia with weight loss (BMI of 18.0 or less required, calculated on at least two occasions at least 90 days apart over a consecutive 12-month period).
I Don’t Meet the Listing!
If you do not meet the listing, you may still qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. To prove that you are disabled and unable to work, you will need medical evidence that shows the severity of your impairment. Social Security will need reliable medical evidence from your doctors to show them that your condition limits you and prevents you from working.
Unfortunately, one of the most common reasons for a denial is not enough medical evidence. It is important that you keep a log of all doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have seen for your CKD, including any inpatient stays or hospitalizations.
If you do not meet the listing, Social Security will consider your residual functional capacity (RFC). Your RFC outlines your job restrictions and will be used to determine if you can go back to your past work. Your RFC is also used to determine whether there is other work available for you.
Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and are unable to work in any capacity due to your physical condition, contact a local attorney today. An attorney can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.