If you are disabled and unable to work due to cystic fibrosis, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. While being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis does not automatically qualify you for disability benefits, you may qualify if you can meet a Social Security listing or otherwise show you are unable to work due to limitations you suffer because of the cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis manifests itself in different ways for different patients but common symptoms include difficulty breathing, productive coughing, and pulmonary hypertension. Sometimes, excessive mucus in the digestive tract can also prevent cystic fibrosis patients from retaining all of the nutrients from their food
Social Security Listings
Social Security has a very lengthy listing to determine whether your cystic fibrosis is considered disabling enough to prevent you from working, Listing 3.04. The listing includes seven potential avenues to qualify for disability.
The first way you can meet the listing requires that your FEV1 score be less than or equal to a certain number. The number that your FEV1 must be less than or equal to varies depending on your age, gender, and height without shoes.
Second, you can meet the listing if you have exacerbations or complications of your cystic fibrosis that require three hospitalizations within a 12-month period. The hospitalizations must occur at least 30 days apart.
Third, if you have spontaneous pneumothorax second to cystic fibrosis that requires a chest tube placement, you will meet the listing.
Fourth, if you go into respiratory failure and require invasive mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation with BiPAP, or a combination, you may qualify. You must be on the treatment for a continuous period of at least 48 hours. If postoperatively, the treatment must continue for at least 72 continuous hours.
Fifth, if you suffer pulmonary hemorrhage requiring vascular embolization to control the bleeding, you will meet the listing.
Sixth, if your SpO2 as measured by pulse oximetry is less than or equal to a certain value twice within a twelve month period, at least thirty days apart, you may qualify. Specific qualifying SpO2 criteria can be found here and vary depending on the altitude of the test site.
Lastly, if you have two of the following exacerbations or complications within a 12-month period, you may meet the listing:
- Pulmonary exacerbation that requires 10 consecutive days of IV antibiotic treatment.
- Pulmonary hemorrhage that requires hospitalization.
- Weight loss that requires supplemental nutrition via a gastrostomy or central venous catheter for at least 90 consecutive days.
- CFRD that requires daily insulin for at least 90 consecutive days.
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 how severe your cystic fibrosis is. 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 cystic fibrosis, 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.
If you have cystic fibrosis and it is preventing you from working, contact a local attorney today. An attorney can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.