Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Allergies
Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein. Usually, these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if you have an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) overreacts to its presence in your body. More than 50 million people in the United States have an allergic reaction each year. They’re the sixth-leading cause of long-term illness in the United States. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 3.00 of the Blue Book.
Do Allergies Qualify for Disability?
As with other impairments, the SSA provides two ways to qualify for disability benefits for allergies. You must either:
- meet the requirements of a listing, or
- prove your condition prevents you from being able to work safely.
Meeting a listing. If your allergies have caused a chronic-related condition that’s included in the SSA’s disability listings, and your problem meets the requirements of the listing, you’ll medically qualify for disability benefits. Two common, chronic, allergy-related conditions that are included in their list of impairments are:
- asthma and
- dermatitis.
Unable to work safely. If you can show that you need to work in a “highly restrictive environment” to prevent the possibility of anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction), the SSA might approve your disability benefits, because not all work can be done in that kind of environment.
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 allergies and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
