Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) estimates that nearly ten percent of U.S. adults have asthma. The condition varies widely, from mild and relatively easy to control to severe and highly debilitating.
You may be wondering: Can you get SSDI benefits for severe asthma? The answer is ‘yes’—but it is not automatic. There are certain strict eligibility requirements that you must satisfy. Here, our Arizona Social Security disability attorney provides a guide to asthma-related SSDI claims.
Social Security Disability: Asthma
A chronic and persistent respiratory disorder, asthma is an adverse health condition that can be a serious impairment. If you or your loved one is suffering from severe asthma, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits. Asthma is a listed medical impairment in the SSA’s Disability Evaluation Under Social Security. Listing 3.03 holds that an applicant’s asthma qualifies for SSDI benefits if:
- They were hospitalized three separate times during the last year for asthma; and
- They have a functional lung rate that is substantially low given age, sex, and height.
Qualifying for SSDI on the Basis of Your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment
To qualify for SSDI benefits for asthma based on the SSA’s official Blue Book listing, an applicant must meet both of the previously listed criteria. However, even if you do not meet those criteria, you may still qualify for asthma-related SSD benefits based on the residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. In effect, you can qualify for SSDI benefits for asthma if your health condition prevents you from reasonably returning to your current position and you are not a suitable candidate for job-retaining. To learn more about qualifying for SSDI benefits for asthma based on your RFC, contact an experienced Arizona Social Security disability attorney.
You Must Also Meet Technical Requirements to Qualify for SSDI Benefits
Proving that your asthma meets the listed criteria or is severe enough based on an RFC assessment will satisfy medical requirements. To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI benefits), an applicant must meet all of the technical requirements. Most notably, this means proving that you have a long enough work record based on your age. You must earn a sufficient number of work credits to be eligible to file for SSDI benefits. A person with severe and debilitating asthma who cannot meet the technical requirements to file for SSDI benefits may still be eligible for Social Security disability compensation through a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim.
Schedule a Free Case Review With an Arizona Social Security Disability Lawyer
At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, our Arizona Social Security disability lawyer is a results-focused advocate for clients. If you have any questions or concerns about filing for SSDI benefits for asthma, we are here to help. Contact us today to arrange your free, no strings attached initial consultation. From our offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Flagstaff, and Lake Havasu, we provide Social Security disability representation throughout all of Arizona.
