Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Amputation

Yes, people with amputations do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. They will want to see sufficient medical documentation noting the below:

• Which limbs have required amputation
• Any inability to ambulate effectively, such as to walk sufficient distances at a reasonable pace
• Your ability to ambulate up and down stairs, including whether or not you need to use a handrail
• Any required use of assistive devices such as two canes, two crutches, or a walker or wheelchair
• Any pain that you experience related to movement
• Your ability, or lack thereof, to travel without a companion to and from work or school
• Any difficulties you have grocery shopping, banking, using public transportation, preparing a meal, feeding yourself, showering, etc.

All of your surgical records from your orthopedic surgeon should be included, including a full operative report.

• X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, radio-nuclear bone scans, or other imaging results that may help to confirm any difficulty that you have had healing from your surgery.
• Any secondary infections or complications that may have occurred as a result of your surgery, including skin infections, wound infections, and blood clots.
• The SSA considers financial assistance for an amputation if the individual has not returned, or is not expecting to return, to adequate ambulation within a year. Therefore, longitudinal records are critical to your application.

While any doctor can provide this information, the SSA gives more weight to the opinion of medical specialists. Therefore, if you are currently working with additional health care providers beyond your primary care physician, be sure to obtain their assistance in gathering this necessary medical information.