If you are living with a respiratory condition, such as damage to your lung capacity caused by chemical exposure or the development of severe asthma, then you may be able to qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
SSD is available to those who cannot work and who have an impairment that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of “disabled.”
What requirements do you have to meet to get SSDI for respiratory issues?
It depends on the specific respiratory condition that you have. To start with, you will need to show that you cannot work or cannot work enough to support yourself. Then, you will need to present evidence that your impairment is truly severe and not relieved by medication or regular treatment. SSA maintains a listing of impairments that — at a certain degree of severity — automatically qualify as “disabling.” However, you can still be approved for benefits even if your condition isn’t listed or you don’t exactly meet the description in SSA’s Blue Book.
There are all kinds of respiratory disorders included in the Blue Book. For example, some of the most common conditions include:
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Chronic pulmonary hypertension
- Cystic fibrosis
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Lung transplants
- Respiratory failure
If you cannot breathe well, the likelihood is that you cannot work or cannot work regularly. If you are struggling to work at all because of the severity of your condition, then applying for Social Security benefits is a good choice.
No matter what kind of condition you’re living with, you deserve support if you cannot work as a result of it worsening. Our website has more on Social Security Disability Insurance and what you can do if you’ve applied and been denied the benefits you need.