Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Dwarfism
Dwarfism, also known as restricted growth or little person, is a medical condition that causes short stature. It’s generally defined as an adult height of 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) or less, with the average adult height being 4 ft (122 cm). Dwarfism can be caused by genetics or other medical conditions, such as intrauterine growth retardation, which occurs while a baby is still in the womb. There are over 100 different conditions that can cause dwarfism, including achondroplasia, a common form of short-limbed dwarfism. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 1.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Dwarfism Qualify for Disability?
People with dwarfism can be eligible for Social Security disability benefits in some situations. However, simply being under a certain height isn’t enough to qualify for disability benefits as an adult. Instead, adult applicants need to show that they have a severe medical condition or conditions that prevent them from working. One way to do this is to have medical evidence that you have a condition that’s listed in the SSA’s Blue Book and that your condition meets the strict requirements in the listing.
There is no single listing for dwarfism, and given the wide range of causes, each individual’s case needs to rely on specific listings for related medical conditions. Below are some of the listings that commonly apply to people with dwarfism:
- listing 1.16 – spinal stenosis
- listing 1.17 – issues following hip or knee replacement surgery
- listing 1.18 – abnormality of a hip, knee, or shoulder joint
- listing 1.15 or 1.18 – cervical joint issues with neck pain
- listings 2.02–2.04 – low vision and blindness
- listings 2.10–2.11 – hearing loss and deafness
- listing 3.02 – breathing problems and recurrent lung infections
- listing 14.09 – ankylosing spondylitis
Note, these listings are not easy to qualify under; for example, to meet any of the musculoskeletal listings above (for spine and joint conditions), you must have so much difficulty walking that you need either a wheelchair or a walker or two canes (or, if you’re unable to use one hand, then you need to use at least one cane for walking).
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 dwarfism and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
