Cystic fibrosis (CF) may make earning a living more difficult. Complications such as shortness of breath, the need for rest intervals, and unexpected hospital admissions are also frequent. Certain occupations provide you more flexibility than others, but even in a best-case scenario and with reasonable workplace modifications, maintaining regular employment may be too taxing for someone with cystic fibrosis in the long run. If you are living with cystic fibrosis and are unable to work, you may be asking, does cystic fibrosis qualify for disability benefits? In this article, you can find the basics of cystic fibrosis and qualifying factors for disability benefits. 

Qualifying Factors For Cystic Fibrosis Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration assesses your application for benefits using a set of criteria. Even if you suffer from a severe impairment, you must present evidence to substantiate your claim. The Social Security Administration will evaluate and accept your claim based on the facts you submit and its consistency with their definition of cystic fibrosis disability.

A doctor from the Social Security Administration, or a team of physicians, will examine your medical records to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Blue Book contains the following criteria for determining does cystic fibrosis qualify for disability benefits:

  • It is determined that your FEV1 (a measure of the amount of air you are able to push out of your lungs in a single second) is less than or equal to a number stated in the Social Security Administration’s tables for your age, gender, and height.
  • Within one year, you have had three exacerbations or problems necessitating at least three hospitalizations of any duration, spaced at least 30 days apart.
  • Spontaneous pneumothorax that required a chest tube insertion.
  • When a patient has a severe respiratory failure that necessitates the use of mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation with BiPAP, or a combination of both therapies for a continuous period of at least 48 hours, or for a continuous period of at least 72 hours if the patient is postoperative.
  • Hemorrhage in the lungs that need vascular embolization to keep the bleeding under control.
  • Within one year (incidents must be at least 30 days apart), you have peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) readings less than or equal to the values listed in the SSA’s table.

You have two or more of the following in a 12-month period:

  • Pulmonary exacerbation
  • At least 90 days of daily supplementary enteral feeding or parenteral nourishment through a central venous catheter is required to counteract weight loss.
  • Pulmonary hemorrhage
  • CFRD requiring 90 days of daily insulin treatment.

The Social security administration will need the following medical proof to record and evaluate the severity of your adult CF symptoms:

  • Detailed medical history
  • Any recommended therapy and how you responded
  • Physical examination results
  • Imaging results
  • Lab test results
  • Pulmonary function test results

Medical-Vocational Allowance

Even if you do not fulfill the Blue Book criteria, you may still be eligible to receive benefits. It is possible to qualify for a medical-vocational allowance. This benefit may be available to individuals who are still able to do some form of employment, but not the type of labor that they used to perform. “Residual functional capacity” is the term used to describe this.

How To Apply For Disability Benefits 

Application procedures may be strenuous, and it entails a great deal of documentation, including medical records and, sometimes, expert testimony. It will take some time to collect all of the necessary information and complete the entire application process. This is one of the reasons many applicants seek support from an experienced disability attorney. A disability attorney knows all of the necessary steps to take and the documentation required to increase the chances of approval for benefits on the first try. They can also help gather information and present in a way that makes the strongest case for you. 

Applying Or Denied? We Can Help! 

At The Law Offices Of Karen Kraus Bill, we know that obtaining disability compensation is not simple, and the process may be complicated, but our office is here to help. We’ll answer any questions you have and ensure that you completely understand the status of your case.

If you or a loved one is considering filing for disability benefits or has already been denied, contact us immediately for a dependable local social security disability attorney. Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation!