Millions of Americans live with the consequences of a blood disorder every day. It can affect them physically to varying degrees, and many face financial difficulties because the severity of their condition makes it hard to work.
If you’re struggling with a blood disorder that affects your ability to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. This article will help you understand how the Social Security Administration (SSA) assesses blood disorders.
Understanding Blood Disorders
Blood disorders affect the production and function of blood cells, platelets, or plasma. They are categorized by the blood component they affect, i.e., red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, or plasma.
Although each condition may affect the body differently, these conditions commonly cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding, and increased risk of infections. They can alsoaffect a person’s ability to perform daily activities and maintain employment.
Blood Disorders and Social Security Disability
The SSA uses a 5-step process to determine a claimant’s eligibility for disability benefits. Those seeking disability benefits for a blood disorder will go through the following process:
- Assess if the claimant currently works at or above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level set by the SSA for the year they file. The current SGA level can be found on the SSA’s website.
- Assess whether the claimant’s complications from their blood disorder significantly limit their ability to perform basic work activities, such as
- sitting
- standing
- reaching
- pulling or pushing
- lifting or carrying
- simple cognitive reasoning.
- Assess if the claimant’s type of blood disorder meets the criteria outlined in the SSA’s impairments list. They assess blood disorders under Section 7.00 – Hematological Disordersas follows:
7.05 Hemolytic anemias (e.g., sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and variants) with:
- Painful crises requiring IV/IM narcotics 6 or more times in 12 months, at least 30 days apart.
OR
- Complications leading to 3 or more hospitalizations in 12 months, at least 30 days apart, each lasting over 48 hours.
OR
- Hemoglobin ≤ 7.0 g/dL, 3+ times in 12 months, 30+ days apart.
OR
- Beta thalassemia major needing RBC transfusions every 6 weeks.
7.08 Thrombosis/hemostasis disorders (e.g., hemophilia, thrombocytopenia) with complications needing 3+ hospitalizations in 12 months, 30+ days apart, each over 48 hours.
7.10 Bone marrow failure disorders (e.g., myelodysplastic syndromes) with:
- Complications needing 3+ hospitalizations in 12 months, 30+ days apart, each over 48 hours.
OR
- Conditions that require RBC transfusions every 6 weeks.
7.17 Hematological disorders treated with bone marrow or stem cell transplants: Considered disabled for 12 or more months; then evaluates residual impairments.
7.18 Persistent complications without a diagnosis, resulting in symptoms and limitations in:
- Daily living activities
- Social functioning
- Task completion due to difficulties with concentration.
- Assess if the claimant can perform work they may have done in the past despite the weakness caused by their blood disorder.
- Assess if the claimant can do any other work based ontheir
- age
- education
- prior work experience
- mental and physical capabilities
Getting Help with Your Disability Claim
If you have a blood disorder that impacts your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Having the help of an experienced disability attorney could increase your chances of being approved for benefits. An experienced disability attorney will understand what is necessary to prove your claim and will help you through the process.
At Brock & Stout, our disability attorneys have over 25 years of experience helping clients living with blood disorders file Social Security disability claims. Contact us today for a free evaluation to see if we can help you get the benefits you need.