I Have Sickle Cell Anemia. Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

June 15, 2019

Blood disorders are an unfortunate fact of life. Many diseases and milder variants of others aren’t intrusive enough to affect someone’s life demonstrably, but others can be severe enough to dictate the entire flow of a person’s existence. In those more severe cases, knowing how Social Security disability benefits function is extremely important.If you are just one of more than 100,000 Americans with the condition, you may be wondering if and how you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Fortunately, we at Hensley Legal Group are here to untangle some of the complications surrounding Social Security disability benefits and to help guide you through the complexities of your case.

Get Test Results in Writing

Before we go over what is or is not considered a disability, it’s important to understand this: your chances of receiving the benefits you’re due are significantly greater if you have written, professional documentation of all the steps you’ve taken to understand your condition.

Most blood disorders require extensive lab testing in order to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis, and specific diseases have binary “yes” or “no” tests to establish whether or not you have that condition. Make sure that you have a copy of those results on hand or that is easily obtainable.

In most cases, having any and all forms of written records of all your consultations with medical professionals is how you play your part in making a case for Social Security disability benefits.

What Constitutes a “Disability”?

Can you still perform any duties your job might require?

Answering that question with a “Yes” may make proving your disability extremely difficult. Moreover, if you’re still actively employed and still performing most, if not all, of your work-related tasks while also applying for Social Security disability benefits, then the Social Security Administration (SSA) will generally not consider you disabled.

And this makes sense, since disability benefit payments are meant to supplement an income you can’t possibly produce yourself. If, then, you have transferable skills that your sickle cell anemia doesn’t hinder, then the SSA may determine you are still capable of working another job that fits those skills.

Proving your disability, therefore, depends on written records of consultations with your doctors.

Right away, the SSA will want to know if your condition is as debilitating as you claim. Having a written record showing how your sickle cell anemia prevents you from standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, causes your blood pressure to rise over the smallest actions, or generally creates other troublesome issues for you is vital to the success of your case.

Help from an Indiana Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer

Paying for monthly treatments is stressful enough without also having to worry about where your next paycheck will come from. If you or someone you know is out of work and unable to live a normal life because of sickle cell anemia, Hensley Legal Group may be able to help. Call us today or contact us online for a free conversation about your claim. Our Indiana Social Security disability benefits lawyers are here to help.