Yes, kidney disease can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes kidney disease as a potentially disabling condition. It falls under Section 6.00 in the Blue Book, a guide of qualifying medical conditions.
If your kidney disease is severe and it stops you from working, you may be eligible for monthly disability payments. These payments can come through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Types of Disability Benefits for Kidney Disease
There are two main benefit programs available for people with severe disabilities:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for Kidney Disease
If you’re applying for SSDI with kidney disease, benefits may be available to you if you’re no longer able to work because of your condition. SSDI is for workers who have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes.
To qualify for SSDI with kidney disease, you must have:
- Worked long and recently enough to earn sufficient work credits
- A kidney condition severe enough to meet the SSA’s definition of a qualifying disability (including medical criteria)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Kidney Disease
SSI benefits are need-based and available to those with limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, you don’t need a work history to qualify for SSI. To be eligible for SSI with kidney disease, you must:
- Have limited income and resources
- Have a kidney condition severe enough to meet the SSA’s definition of a qualifying disability (including medical criteria)
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition where your kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from your body. As kidney function declines, harmful wastes build up, blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid.
Symptoms of CKD and Impact on Work Ability
Living with kidney disease can make working extremely difficult. Common symptoms that may impact your ability to maintain employment include:
- Extreme fatigue and weakness that makes even light activity exhausting
- Swelling in legs, ankles, and feet from fluid retention
- Shortness of breath, which can make physical labor impossible
- Frequent urination, requiring constant bathroom breaks
- Sleep problems from muscle cramps and restless legs
- Mental fog and difficulty concentrating
- Need for dialysis, which requires several hours multiple times per week
- Susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
These symptoms can make it hard to attend work regularly, finish tasks, or stay at a workstation for a full shift.
Causes of CKD
Chronic kidney disease can result from:
- Diabetes (types 1 and 2)
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney filtering units)
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Recurrent kidney infections
- Obstructions like kidney stones
- Certain medications and toxic substances
Understanding the underlying cause of your kidney disease is important when applying for disability benefits. Your medical records should clearly show your kidney disease diagnosis. They should also include any related conditions that affect your overall disability. This comprehensive medical evidence strengthens your case by showing the full extent of your health challenges.
What It Takes To Qualify for Social Security Disability With Kidney Disease
General SSA Qualifying Criteria
To qualify for Social Security Disability (either SSDI or SSI) with kidney disease, you must demonstrate that:
- Your condition prevents you from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
Meeting these criteria requires thorough documentation from your healthcare providers. The SSA will examine your medical records, lab results, treatment history, and doctor’s opinions about your limitations.
Kidney Disease in the Blue Book
The SSA evaluates genitourinary disorders resulting in chronic kidney disease (CKD) under section 6.00 in the Blue Book, their guide of impairment listings. Each listing covers different medical criteria to qualify for disability benefits. Section 6.00 contains the following impairment listings:
- Chronic kidney disease with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (Section 6.03)
- CKD with kidney transplant (Section 6.04)
- CKD with impaired kidney function with specific laboratory findings and fluid overload syndrome, renal osteodystrophy, or other symptoms (Section 6.05)
Examples of laboratory findings (indicating reduced glomerular filtration) include:
- Serum creatinine of 4 mg/dL or greater
- Creatinine clearance of 20 ml/min. or less
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 ml/min/1.73m2 or less
Such results must be documented at least 90 days apart (during 12 consecutive months) on two or more occasions.
- Nephrotic syndrome (Section 6.06)
- Complications of CKD requiring hospitalizations, such as stroke, congestive heart failure, or hypertensive crisis (Section 6.09)
Your medical records must show that your kidney disease meets the requirements in one of these listings, or that your condition is as equally severe as a listing.
Qualifying Through a Medical-Vocational Allowance
If your kidney disease doesn’t meet a Blue Book listing exactly or equal one in severity, you may still qualify for benefits through a Medical-Vocational Allowance. This path to approval considers:
- Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
The SSA will assess your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). Your RFC is what you can still do despite your disease limitations. Your RFC might include restrictions such as:
- Inability to lift more than 10 pounds
- Unable to stand or walk for prolonged periods (often due to swelling in the legs and feet)
- Need for frequent bathroom breaks
- Accommodations for dialysis schedules
- Need for extra breaks due to fatigue
- Vocational Factors
Along with your RFC, the SSA considers:
- Your age (applicants over 50 face less strict standards)
- Education level
- Work history and transferable skills
- Available jobs you might be able to perform
For example, if you’re 55 with kidney disease that prevents you from performing previous physical work, limited education, and no transferable skills, you may qualify for disability even if you don’t meet a Blue Book listing.
Types of Kidney Conditions That May Qualify for Disability Benefits
Several kidney-related conditions might qualify for disability benefits:
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney transplant
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Chronic obstructive uropathy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Kidney disorders caused by other conditions like diabetes or hypertension
Why Work With an Attorney for Your Kidney Disease Disability Claim?
Navigating the Complex Disability Claims Process
Proving your kidney disease qualifies for disability benefits can be challenging. The SSA denies many initial applications. Often, this is due to:
- Incomplete medical documentation
- Failure to demonstrate how symptoms affect work capacity
- Missing deadlines or paperwork errors
Our experienced attorneys at Ortega Disability Group know what evidence is needed to prove disability. We understand the importance of a documented treatment history and evidence of functional limitations and how to demonstrate eligibility.
We also have extensive experience handling claims and going through the application process. When you work with our team, every piece of documentation will be filed properly and on time.
Why Choose Ortega Disability Group?
At Ortega Disability Group, we:
- Focus exclusively on Social Security Disability law
- Understand the specific medical evidence needed for kidney disease claims
- Handle all paperwork and communications with the SSA
- Give personal attention to your case
- Offer representation at all levels from initial application to appeals if necessary
Get Help With Your Kidney Disease Disability Claim
Living with kidney disease is challenging enough without fighting for the financial benefits you need. Our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys understand the medical complexities of kidney disease and how to effectively present your case to the SSA.
Don’t struggle with the disability claims process alone. Contact Ortega Disability Group today for a free consultation about your kidney disease disability claim.
