Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Chronic Anemia
Chronic anemia, also known as ‘anemia of chronic disease’ and ‘anemia of inflammation and chronic disease’ is the result of other long-term health conditions that affect your body’s ability to make red blood cells.
These health conditions include:
- autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- cancer, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and breast cancer
- kidney disease
- long-term infections, such as HIV, endocarditis, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, lung abscess, and hepatitis B or hepatitis C
Sometimes the chemotherapy used to treat certain cancers undermines your body’s ability to make new blood cells, resulting in anemia. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 7.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Chronic Anemia Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with chronic anemia do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
- You have experienced and can provide documentation of vaso-occlusive crises that require medication. They must have occurred at least six times within a 12-month period, with 30 days or more between crises.
- You’ve had at least three hospitalizations within a 12-month period — each at least 30 days apart — from complications of your sickle cell disease. Each hospitalization must have lasted at least 48 hours, which can include hours spent in an emergency room or in a comprehensive sickle cell disease center immediately before the hospitalization.
- You’ve had hemoglobin measurements of 7.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or less, occurring at least three times within a 12-month period, with a minimum of 30 days between measurements.
- You receive life-long transfusions of red blood cells at a frequency of least once every six weeks.
Examples of medical documentation that may be helpful for your application include physician notes, treatment plans, proof that you’ve followed prescribed treatment plans, and lab work results.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic anemia and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
