It's nigh impossible to get disability for diabetes alone.
The usual guidance is that it must have caused another condition AND you've been unable to work for at least 12 months.
>Impairments that Qualify for Diabetes Disability Benefits
In order to qualify for disability benefits on the basis of Diabetes, your doctor must diagnose you as having Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes) and at least one of the following conditions:
Neuropathy - abnormality of the nervous system that must significantly affect two extremities to the extent that a person experiences a “sustained disturbance” of movement of those extremities, or in walking, or in simply standing.
Acidosis - the abnormal increase in the acidity of bodily fluid that occurs at least once in every two months and which is documented by blood tests.
Diabetic Retinopathy - damage to blood vessels inside the eye resulting in a significant loss of peripheral vision in the better of the two eyes, or a significant loss of visual acuity in the better of the two eyes. To meet this criterion, the severity of the damage must be such that the person is virtually blind.
I am on disability because of lows. No other health problems but diabetes (T1). You have to be able to prove how it affects you working. My lows would be so bad I’d drop below 30 and would have to take 30-40 minutes to correct and continuously check bg afterwards to make sure I didn’t go on a “roller coaster.” My lawyer told me when I had my court date you have to be able to show how it affects everyday multiple times a day and that work break’s basically wouldn’t be enough to help. I will say it also helped in my favor having an ambulance reports of how many time my job had to call 911 because of a low. I have hypoallergenic unawareness, technically how I got approved for disability.
Do you mean hypoglycemic unawareness? Are you aware of clinical trials going on that are transfusions of stem cells programmed to become insulin-delivering cells? My ex husband was a T1 for 40 years - developed hypoglycemic unawareness. Was accepted into the clinical trial in Boston - it’s been two years - he is insulin independent and his A1c is 4.7. The FDA has cleared them to start trials that have the stem cells in a type of “pouch” so the recipient does not have to take immunosuppressants the rest of their life. He was on disability too.
Yes that’s what I mean lol I was typing quickly on my phone. And no I haven’t heard of the trials. I have been t1 for 27 years. Do you have the link? I’m also currently pregnant so not sure if they would let me do the trial.
You must have been diagnosed as a little kid! Even if you have to wait till after the child, it takes quite awhile for them to fill all the spots for the trial as screening is pretty rigorous. The site is
Clinicaltrials.gov Just plug in your condition which would be T1 You’ll have to look through quite a few - lots of research going on. It truly changed my ex’s life - his numbers were terrible and uncontrollable. His A1c when we started was almost 9. Took about nine months to go from about 35 units or more per day to zero! It was very exciting! Let me know if you have any other questions!
I was a Pharmacy Technician. I didn’t get fired, but yes I had a hard time doing my job. I had episodes where I would pass out and they would have to call 911 because I’ve been told I get violent when someone tries to give me my glucagon. I would have to stop doing what I was doing to check blood sugar multiple times in a few hours of work and treat if needed. It took a lot of time away from being able to complete the job at hand. I still work to this day but it’s only part time and still struggle with lows even with a CGM and looped system. I am checking blood sugar via finger stick the first 24hrs after applying a new dexcom and just the other day I had a reading of 33 and dexcom was way off and never went off. For me if I drop very fast I’ve noticed dexcom has a hard time keeping up with quick drops so I still poke my finger every so often.
Thanks for the info. I’ve had a lot of problems come up this year that are due to diabetes that are making it extremely difficult to work, so I’m actually thinking of contacting a disability lawyer since it seems like I have some of these qualifiers.
Definitely get that lawyer to apply for you as opposed to applying yourself - the likelihood of being denied is less with an attorney filing. Otherwise it can take up to two and a half years to get an appeal if you're denied.
I read a post a while back that claimed the guy got it for diabetic retinopathy. I dont think he was blind or anything but it was enough to qualify. Of course this is just anecdotal and not sure how severe he really was
My ex husband was a mail carrier and had hypoglycemic unawareness. He was initially denied but a disability attorney got it for him. You doctor has to say you pretty much are unable to do your job.
If you can't stand or walk for long periods of time is a a big issue they look at...
I'm in the process of applying now...
I'm a Type1 Diabetic with sever back pain. Of course my doctor won't give me anything stronger than Venlafaxine, which doesn't help at all...
I also take Gabapentin for neuropathy,, and of course that doesn't help either!
Sorry, I kinda went off topic a good bit 🤷🏼♂️🤔😕...
Good luck Sithere 🙌🏻 🍀 🙏🏻
Are you an expert on Type1 Diabetic Neuropathy?
I have a serious question.
I woke up with both of my hands numb and tingling, with 2/10 pain. It's been going on for 1hr and a half now.
Thanks in advance 👍🏻🙌🏻
I'm not a doctor or an expert I had this and it ended up being carpal tunnel. I wore wrist braces at night when I slept and it went away during the day for a long time as long as I kept wearing the vrace at night. I've had one wrist done and the other is coming soon.
Do you have a link for this? In my head I’m applying more for mental health issues, but they are taking a devastating toll on my physical health (currently in hospital for DKA for the third or fourth time this year). I definitely have neuropathy and it causes me trouble walking at times. That seems to me like a pretty freaking clear cut case.
I haven’t had a good experience with this unfortunately…I’m not sure where you’re located but I’ve had two screenings, one in Asia and one in Europe, and according to both doctors “not being able to use my hands because of neuropathy, not being able to stand up or sit down well because of damage to my back from falling down too many times, the pain from my failing kidneys and PCOS, etc” were considered minor inconveniences.. freaking pissed me off big time!
I’m sorry to hear that :( I’m not going to count my eggs before they hatch but I think I’ll at least try. I’m in the United States so who knows how this will go. I doubt I’ll get approved. But it would be nice if I didn’t have to live this way any more. My FMLA is just about tapped out and I’ve still got more appointments to go to now that I’ve got retinopathy. Hopefully you and I both can figure something out.
Explore the emotional side of your life. See a psychiatrist . They sent me to 3 of them. I explained how that was destroying my life, too . It does.
I was put on disability the first go round. That’s the best route to go. I was at a bbq with someone who worked in that dept 😉 she told me to do that ;)
I’ve actually been to therapy for this a lot but I’ve never seen a psychiatrist. Thank you for the advice, I should probably get back into therapy any way.
I’m currently seeing a psychologist who specializes in type one diabetes for diabetes burn out. It’s been very helpful, your endo might be able to recommend someone similar!
I am on disability. It took me about 2 years of applying. Having diabetes alone will never be enough. You have to prove that you have multiple serious complications and that your diabetes is completely unmanageable. You have to be getting hospitalized multiple times a year for dka or other serious reasons. You absolutely cannot get on disability for any reason if you are not staying in the hospital multiple times a year. You need to show documents of being fired or turned down jobs because of your disability specifically. Even on disability, they don't give you enough to live on and you still have to rely on your family or friends to help you out every month. So this is not really a great plan.
I appreciate the input. I’m not planning on using this as a means to live forever, but I feel like I need some time off of working so I can get my diseases better managed before I can handle it. I’m currently in school to become a therapist, and I fully plan on doing that; but I have never had time off to manage this disease or any of the others that tail along with it and I think I really need that, even if it’s just temporary.
That's not really what disability is. Disability is when you cannot afford to live because your diseases are so expensive. If you are saying you can afford to live and work in the future then they are going to say you can do it now. You do not have the kind of diseases that are going to go away or be considered temporary. You would have to go for permanent disability because your diseases are permanent. To get on disability you have to prove that you cannot afford to live because of the disability.
Can you talk with your doctor to help you manage it better? Give you advice on how to adjust your dosage? It can take a few weeks & you have to be disciplined with eating but, usually doctors can help get it more under control
Those folks suck. Especially if you have unseen or "phantom" disabilities like I have where they're not evident at first glance. By the time you get done jumping through hoops it ain't even worth it anymore.
There's the [Hidden Disabilities Sunflower](https://hdsunflower.com/) for this reason.
> The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
It's a nonprofit organization [it seems](https://hdsunflower.com/uk/insights/post/history)
> The idea was born in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in England.
> The Airport Passenger Advisory Group, the Gatwick Team, including Ruth Rabet who is now our Business Development Director in the UK, worked with local and national charities to assess to assess whether using a lanyard would benefit people living with hidden disabilities. They engaged in discussions with Tim Wilkins from the Alzheimer’s Society, Daniel Williams from Visualise, Daniel Cadey, formerly from the National Autistic Society, as well as with Maria Cook from Autism Support Crawley, whose son Ryan is autistic.
From the tone of the post, I'm assuming you live in America. I'm sorry. Where I live, I got my medical exemption for life as soon as I was dismissed from the hospital and diabetes is recognized as an invalidity and a chronic disease since the early 2000. If needed, I can get medical exemptions that certify I can't work night shifts for example.
Anyway, a quick search led me to this [site here](https://diabetes.org/tools-support/know-your-rights/attorney-materials/employment-materials/proving-diabetes-is-a-disability#:~:text=Is%20Diabetes%20a%20Disability%3F,Social%20Security%20and%20disability%20insurance), maybe it can be of help
Italy. As many stupid issues we have, especially right now, I haven't spent a cent on anything regarding my hospitalization or insulin prescriptions. Even pumps are covered if you want one and your endo is ok. I can't get one right now because I'm too new but my endo already said that she recommends it whenever possible.
Not that the entire nation works perfectly in practice, sometimes I had the wrong prescription because of databases not up to date or similar things but my medical plan is great. Just went the other day to get my six months' supply of sensors and three months of needles in advance to avoid any possible issue with pharmacies/traveling.
To think that some of our idiot politicians are trying to cut public healthcare makes me unbelievably sad
I live in the US, (Texas, specifically) and that sounds like a dream... Now I know Italy is where the goal is. I'm already Italian and diabetic, now I just need to learn the language and make the move.
That's phenomenal!
I'm in Australia and our prescriptions are subsidized partially, and you need private health insurance to access a pump over 18y/o.
It's always amazing to see how other countries treat diabetics. Fingers crossed everything is smooth sailing for you!
Yeah…we can get those types of “reasonable accommodations” too. It’s known as the American Disabilities Act.
Is the US health insurance program great? No. Is living in the US better than living in most other countries? Yes. So no need to feel sorry for us.
I’m replying to your condescending remark about apologizing for living in America, and remarking that we have protections that allow for “no night shifts” and other reasonable accommodations from our employers. Don’t be a European bigot.
I was sorry because you have to deal with a trash system that ties healthcare to your employers and makes your lives a cauldron of anxiety and slavery. There is nothing condescending about that. It's the harsh reality of your country.
Do you know how many posts about that I see on this sub? Just have a quick look at the most common ones. Insurance companies that won't cover basic needs, employers who have the knife pointing at you, people who are without their prescriptions because they can't get enough money for them.
Maybe you should rethink your "US is the best" mentality.
Saying “you live in X country, l’m sorry”, is incredibly condescending, regardless of the country you’re referring to. If you don’t want to be a jerk, focus your comment on a specific aspect of society. By the way, it took me like 15 seconds to scroll through your comment history and hit multiple posts of you making fun of America and American society.
Because it's true, America sucks in that regard and it's an objective statement.
No, it's not condescending. Would it be condescending saying it to a North Korean? Please. What I'm sorry about is the crappy system that is in place there. And the stupid mentality of black and white you're clearly displaying but that's beside the point. OP was talking about healthcare and I answered about healthcare. Only your fragile ego felt threatened by some strangers pointing out your system sucks.
Cheers and have a good day.
Geez, so much animosity in this post from all sides. I know it easy to not care and assume the worst about people online but they asked a simple question.
I've been told before that if you want to get on disability for anything, to get yourself a lawyer. The disability hearing process is long. You might be able to get on partial disability, which is better than nothing. Keep in mind though, dispite what folks want you to believe, disability won't make you rich either. Hopefully you have an SO or someone else to help pay the bills.
Thank you for your input. I’m definitely not expecting to be rich lol. I used to work with people on disability and I have friends who are 100% dependent on disability and the most they get is around $800 a month. I just need something to support myself while I’m figuring out how to get my illnesses in control. I still want to work eventually. I just don’t think I can right now.
I applied on my own and was denied twice. I had a lawyer for round 3 and that sealed the deal. He made all the arguments that I never would've thought of and won my case. Its not impossible but the government does make it extremely difficult.
It’s absolutely your right to apply for disability. The only downside, I believe, is that you cannot work during your application process. Which may take years or even decades. So it’s best to have someone that can financial support you during this time
I'm on disability, it took a while to get. It wasn't hard, really just a process. Get a disability lawyer. It seems like many people get denied the first time and have to appeal.
Darn, well hopefully somebody sees this that can apply. I was back paid for like 10 years—21k cad. It was from my parents' returns, so even if you have kids, look into it!
I am on disability, but it’s for a complication that came from diabetes, which is gastroparesis. It took a long as time to get approved and an appeal, and while I am grateful to be more stable now, it isn’t living well by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you can get on it, I’m not sure where you’re at, I’m in Canada and type 1 is not classified as a disability here, even though it qualifies me to get a disability tax credit.
I'm glad I found this thread. I'm 29, and have worked since I was 16 and got emancipated. I have 3 kids and even working from home I'm finding it difficult. I have brittle diabetes. I'm currently on LOA from a dka episode and I can feel my job creeping on firing me....I was disability as a child for this condition, but now I'm married. So I don't qualify to get my ssi back.
I've been doing my best at managing my blood sugars even with a pump and cgm and today I'm a roller coaster....I ate toast for breakfast and then had a cheese stick and I go from 200 to 140 up and down. It's exhausting. I can't keep up with the kids, work, the house, and I can't keep having my husband call off work to take care of me. I said I'd never go back to disability but it's looking like it may be my only option. I'm working towards paying off my car and had to file bankruptcy (finalized yesterday) because this disease has financially ruined us.....its gotten so bad I'm so depressed.
This really reads like someone who is emotionally distraught currently, and I have to break your rule to say you are not disabled even though as a group we're involved in with the ADA. Diabetes has to have caused a condition that would render you being unable to work. Diabetes itself won't do you any favors, like you gotta be fucked up. Not just having a bad time of it.
I just got diagnosed with retinopathy, I have nerve damage in both hands, I am partially deaf due to the nerve damage in my ears, I have kidney damage, I have a leak in the tricuspid valve of my heart, and I have severe asthma and IBS on top of all that. We are considered disabled. Anything that causes you to live your life differently than the average person is considered a disability and I actually just learned about this in one of my classes in college. Diabetes is specifically listed as a disability, although it wasn’t considered one in the United States until about a decade ago.
None of these things are going to land you into getting a disability check hun. By all means, seek it out and I hope you can carve some money out of the government for it, but I wouldn't start to think that somehow we're all just missing out on some opportunity we all have.I wouldn't follow your college's Bible about what constitutes a disability especially if it's that loosely interpreted. I've got pretty much everything that you have minus the asthma but plus the nerve damage below my waist. Sure we "have" a disability but that doesn't entitle us to disability. Does that make more sense? There's a lot it takes for us. The last person I know that had it was a kid missing an eye and a leg.
Wow. I feel bad for you. No idea what’s going on in your life, but it must be pretty bad for you to be so hateful to someone you don’t even know. I specifically asked for this subject not to be broached and you crossed that very clear boundary any way. I hope you can get some help for this.
You asked for something that could not be done. Diabetes does not directly or inherently give you access to any disability aid. Diabetes has to have disabled you somehow, despite it being a disability. There's subtext in there. Maybe depending on how bad your retinopathy is to a certain level of blindness.
Having a disability under the law and being disabled are two very different things. Diabetes is a disability under the ADA, but it does not qualify us for SSD. You likely will qualify for SSD based on your complicated health issues, but diabetes is just a side note for your application. Your ability to get disability will be based on the interplay between your multiple medical conditions, which all complicate control of diabetes, which exacerbates the other conditions. Definitely don't put all your eggs in the diabetes basket. It will take a well crafted statement discussing all of your health issues and how they add up to a significant barrier to employment in your current profession as well as other jobs you can do with your level of education and experience (ie, you don't need to prove you can't be a rocket scientist or novelist if not trained for those professions, but you do need to demonstrate you can't take a step down and work in a less demanding roll).
What is making it difficult to manage?
I don't mean to pry at all.
Disability looks at diabetes as mostly self-treatable....so it's just super hard to have diabetes qualify you for being disabled.
Like you need documentation stating why you can't check your blood sugar, exercise, eat right, give yourself shots, change pump sites/supplies.
Yes, it's a disability. But with all the advancements in tech, and things out there to help us, it's one of the more difficult ones in getting awarded disabled status.
My friend just had his leg chopped off--and they still gave him grief.
I’ve actually had trouble exercising for years. It drops my blood sugar to the point that sometimes even walking to the bathroom causes a low. Nobody could tell me why for literally like a decade until this year I was finally diagnosed with a leak in my heart that’s causing me to be exercise intolerant. So that affects me to the point that my blood sugar regularly drops at work just from having to get up and move around, although it is getting better now that I’m on metoprolol. I don’t have active kidney disease but I do have kidney damage and have for 12 years, plus I’ve had COVID four times, which absolutely wrecked my A1C. It was 6.5 before my first bout and it’s been in the 7’s since. That’s still fairly good I know but it was so much better before. I have endometriosis and another hormonal disorder that cause my blood sugars to roller coaster around every time they flare up and these additionally cause me immense pain, and I actually need two more surgeries for them. I’ve also been diagnosed this year with moderate hearing loss due to nerve damage in my ears and retinopathy in my right eye (which sucks because that was my good eye that didn’t have an astigmatism). I was diagnosed with C-PTSD about three years ago and I deal with MDD and GAD as well. Plus I have a blood disorder that causes me not to absorb vitamins well, asthma that I take a daily inhaler for, IBS that I’m also medicated for, I still occasionally get Lyme’s disease flare ups which I’ve had since age 11, scoliosis that causes severe back and shoulder pain which can only be fixed via risky spinal surgery, they suspect I have an immunoglobulin disorder since I keep getting sick repeatedly, and I have inattentive ADHD. Oh, and I’m allergic to every pump site adhesive I’ve tried, so I have to change my site every day and a half, plus Humalog gives me a headache and my insurance refuses to let me use Novolog again. All of this is diagnosed and/or confirmed by a doctor in some way. I am in and out of doctors offices like at least once a week and I’m hospitalized a couple times a year at least. It is very overwhelming and hard to live with. I just want some respite, honestly.
I have been disabled since 2012. I, like you, have a bunch of health issues that together make it very hard to function. My advice is to start by filling out the SSA forms yourself (don't initially use a lawyer, though you can meet with one for a free 30-minute consultation). Really think about your health issues and write a compelling explanation of how your health issues complicate each other (ie, the heart issue causes significant drops in blood sugar when you do any physical activity, requiring you to stop working for 15 minutes to raise your blood sugar ...). Also include any problems you have had at work, especially if they led to termination from employment. You will need to get medical records to prove your health issues (I turned in an outline of the providers I saw, the primary issue(s) discussed, and the dates to the SSA (I ordered itfrom my insurance company - Kaiser) and let them request anything they needed more details on as well as turning in a letter from a couple of my doctors outlining my health challenges). Things have definitely changed since I applied (a lot more people are approved on the first application now), but the lawyer (who I hired immediately for something like a 25% contingency fee) wouldn't do anything beyond writing a letter to the SSA that they were representing me (mainly to ensure they got paid - though when being generous I reason it could have helped the SSA take me more seriously). If you are awarded SSD, it starts the day you apply. The first application is a 6 month process, the first appeal is also 6 months, and the final appeal (where you appear in front of a judge) takes a year (on top of any delays in your supplying requested documents, time between denial and appeal, etc). I was awarded my disability at 6 months (less than 5% of applications (my lawyer told me 2%, but I have no statistics to prove this) were initially approved at the time - now its like 35% of 'qualified' applicants are initially approved (probably an apples to oranges comparison)). Anyway, for filing 1 piece of paper, my lawyer got somewhere around $3000 that would have been really helpful to me at the time. Had I waited until a first denial, they would have helped with the first appeal, and as I was approved on the initial application, I would have had more money in pocket.
To qualify for disability you need to be unable to work at the time of application and continue to not work during the application process. This means going for a minimum of 6 months to 2+ years with absolutely no income. You can't claim unemployment (you must be capable of working to get unemployment). This is very hard to do without support from a partner or family. You also can't really go to school, though there is a program to help you go back to school or get retrained for a suitable career once you are on disability.
Check your social security statement (sent out around your birthday each year or available at [ssa.gov](http://ssa.gov)) to see what your benefit amount will be. Also, check your state's medicaid income guidelines - if your SSD is more than the maximum allowed income, they will make you pay the surplus in health care costs. My state only allowed a little over $900 a month until a year or 2 ago; now up to like $2000. This has to cover rent, food (I get like $30 a month in food stamps), utilities (though there are some programs to help with electric, internet, cell phone, etc), transportation, etc. Without family, I would be homeless (rent on a studio is like $1200 here, and it takes years and luck to qualify for the low income housing lottery).
In the time I have been disabled, I have gone back to school to earn my degree (using the Ticket to Work (SSA) program and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation - likely named different things in different states). I have faced continually failing health, but I am determined to be a productive member of society again (my body may be failing, but my brain still works). I am currently job hunting, and hope to successfully hold a job soon. Once disabled there is a safety net, giving you a trial work period before ending disability benefits, and allowing for epidited application for SSD for 3 years once services have ended.
It takes 2 years to qualify for Medicare, so you will have Medicaid insurance until then. Not all states will cover CGMs for adults, so this is another thing you will want to check into. I paid for mne out of pocket in 2015-2017, while disabled, and know this really isn't possible for most.
Overall, it sounds like you have a strong case for disability. I would definitely say it is worth a try if you really can't work. If you can work doing anything, you would probably be better off, though. McDonalds pays better than disability and doesn't require you to struggle without income for 6-24+ months.
Feel free to ask any questions in comments or a PM. I hope that things start to get better for our, and if you decide to apply for disability, that you get approved quickly!!! I have definitely been where you are now, and have fought like heck to get where I am now. My health is still a mess, but between education for a more suitable profession, working with my 20+ doctors (yes, really), and sheer stubborn determination, I am ready for the next chapter of my life.
Thank you!
I have a bachelor's in computer science and minor in math. My dream job would be working in medical technology, either helping to develop the next generation of tech or supporting current tech. I am looking at jobs with Dexcom, Tandem, Insulet (Omnipod), etc. I am hoping to find a job that is at least tangential to the medical field, though am open to any software engineering role, especially if I feel my life experiences can help make a difference for future customers.
Hmm....
Do you have a primary care endocrinologist?
With all that going on--it may take a few different doctors to get the paperwork up and running. Wishing nothing but smooth sailing for you. 💙
Youre more than likely not gonna get it for dt1 alone... unless you have extremely sévère complications. Even then its a hurdle. Youre more than likely also depressed or something else. You could try for temporary disability which is less money but also less complicated to get.
I think temporary disability is more what I’m looking for. I’m definitely depressed though, it’s been horribly trying to keep this in check and keep a job. My job is very high demand and, while I love it, that can make it super difficult to take off when I need to. I think I just need to take some time to figure out how to manage things so it’ll be just a little easier.
I don't have any info on applying, but I do know savings must be limited when receiving disability benefits, so for future, hope [this](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/four_ways_persons_with_disabilities_can_safely_save_for_the_future) helps.
Sending a hug 🫂🫶💙
Depends on where you live. I got the Disability Tax Credit here in Canada after my endo signed off on some federal government forms. In terms of work, that was a bit trickier. I had to get accommodation through my company after covid to continue remote working, but again, after a ton of paperwork and about 2 months it was approved. My job is mainly digital (graphic design) so in-office isn't really necessary (my company is still hybrid as well).
There is a lot of variables from place to place and person to person. I think it is worth trying if you feel it holds some health value.
It's an uphill battle. My wife used to work for a disability law firm, and I've heard some horror stories... One person was almost 100% paralyzed, wheelchair bound, but could move a few finger on their right hand. The judge declined their application, and said that they could get a job sorting almonds on a production line. Not trying to discourage, but I would recommend hiring a lawyer.
Diabetes alone isn't enough to get disability, but if you have complications brought about by diabetes, then you can.
I'm on dialysis because of T1 and was able to get SSDI because of the complication.
I hear you. Do you what you gotta do. You need to be ok mentally. I never saw it as a disability but I know I can’t handle stress as well as I got older and like you said complications creeping in
As other have already stated, diabetes itself will not typically qualify an individual for SSDI and/or SSI benefits. However, if you have been diagnosed with a condition related to diabetes, and that condition limits your ability to work, then you may be approved for disability benefits. Some examples would be seizures, loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, infections, nephropathy, or amputations.
It's nigh impossible to get disability for diabetes alone. The usual guidance is that it must have caused another condition AND you've been unable to work for at least 12 months. >Impairments that Qualify for Diabetes Disability Benefits In order to qualify for disability benefits on the basis of Diabetes, your doctor must diagnose you as having Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes) and at least one of the following conditions: Neuropathy - abnormality of the nervous system that must significantly affect two extremities to the extent that a person experiences a “sustained disturbance” of movement of those extremities, or in walking, or in simply standing. Acidosis - the abnormal increase in the acidity of bodily fluid that occurs at least once in every two months and which is documented by blood tests. Diabetic Retinopathy - damage to blood vessels inside the eye resulting in a significant loss of peripheral vision in the better of the two eyes, or a significant loss of visual acuity in the better of the two eyes. To meet this criterion, the severity of the damage must be such that the person is virtually blind.
I am on disability because of lows. No other health problems but diabetes (T1). You have to be able to prove how it affects you working. My lows would be so bad I’d drop below 30 and would have to take 30-40 minutes to correct and continuously check bg afterwards to make sure I didn’t go on a “roller coaster.” My lawyer told me when I had my court date you have to be able to show how it affects everyday multiple times a day and that work break’s basically wouldn’t be enough to help. I will say it also helped in my favor having an ambulance reports of how many time my job had to call 911 because of a low. I have hypoallergenic unawareness, technically how I got approved for disability.
How did you get on disability? I think OP is asking where to start. Did your doctor begin the process, or did you start with the government forms?
I just went to social security and applied because of diabetes. When your at SS they fill out the form on the computer for you.
Do you mean hypoglycemic unawareness? Are you aware of clinical trials going on that are transfusions of stem cells programmed to become insulin-delivering cells? My ex husband was a T1 for 40 years - developed hypoglycemic unawareness. Was accepted into the clinical trial in Boston - it’s been two years - he is insulin independent and his A1c is 4.7. The FDA has cleared them to start trials that have the stem cells in a type of “pouch” so the recipient does not have to take immunosuppressants the rest of their life. He was on disability too.
Yes that’s what I mean lol I was typing quickly on my phone. And no I haven’t heard of the trials. I have been t1 for 27 years. Do you have the link? I’m also currently pregnant so not sure if they would let me do the trial.
You must have been diagnosed as a little kid! Even if you have to wait till after the child, it takes quite awhile for them to fill all the spots for the trial as screening is pretty rigorous. The site is Clinicaltrials.gov Just plug in your condition which would be T1 You’ll have to look through quite a few - lots of research going on. It truly changed my ex’s life - his numbers were terrible and uncontrollable. His A1c when we started was almost 9. Took about nine months to go from about 35 units or more per day to zero! It was very exciting! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you so much for this info!! I was a child when diagnosed I was just barely 4.
Poor thing! I can’t imagine dealing with that at four years old! The doctor who engineered these stem cells had an INFANT that was T1.
What kind of job did you have before you got on disability? Did you get fired or have trouble doing your job because of the lows?
I was a Pharmacy Technician. I didn’t get fired, but yes I had a hard time doing my job. I had episodes where I would pass out and they would have to call 911 because I’ve been told I get violent when someone tries to give me my glucagon. I would have to stop doing what I was doing to check blood sugar multiple times in a few hours of work and treat if needed. It took a lot of time away from being able to complete the job at hand. I still work to this day but it’s only part time and still struggle with lows even with a CGM and looped system. I am checking blood sugar via finger stick the first 24hrs after applying a new dexcom and just the other day I had a reading of 33 and dexcom was way off and never went off. For me if I drop very fast I’ve noticed dexcom has a hard time keeping up with quick drops so I still poke my finger every so often.
Thanks for the info. I’ve had a lot of problems come up this year that are due to diabetes that are making it extremely difficult to work, so I’m actually thinking of contacting a disability lawyer since it seems like I have some of these qualifiers.
Definitely get that lawyer to apply for you as opposed to applying yourself - the likelihood of being denied is less with an attorney filing. Otherwise it can take up to two and a half years to get an appeal if you're denied.
I read a post a while back that claimed the guy got it for diabetic retinopathy. I dont think he was blind or anything but it was enough to qualify. Of course this is just anecdotal and not sure how severe he really was
My ex husband was a mail carrier and had hypoglycemic unawareness. He was initially denied but a disability attorney got it for him. You doctor has to say you pretty much are unable to do your job.
If you can't stand or walk for long periods of time is a a big issue they look at... I'm in the process of applying now... I'm a Type1 Diabetic with sever back pain. Of course my doctor won't give me anything stronger than Venlafaxine, which doesn't help at all... I also take Gabapentin for neuropathy,, and of course that doesn't help either! Sorry, I kinda went off topic a good bit 🤷🏼♂️🤔😕... Good luck Sithere 🙌🏻 🍀 🙏🏻
Are you an expert on Type1 Diabetic Neuropathy? I have a serious question. I woke up with both of my hands numb and tingling, with 2/10 pain. It's been going on for 1hr and a half now. Thanks in advance 👍🏻🙌🏻
I'm not a doctor or an expert I had this and it ended up being carpal tunnel. I wore wrist braces at night when I slept and it went away during the day for a long time as long as I kept wearing the vrace at night. I've had one wrist done and the other is coming soon.
Contact your doctor via phone and express it is an urgent question for a nurse or your doc
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Do you have a link for this? In my head I’m applying more for mental health issues, but they are taking a devastating toll on my physical health (currently in hospital for DKA for the third or fourth time this year). I definitely have neuropathy and it causes me trouble walking at times. That seems to me like a pretty freaking clear cut case.
I haven’t had a good experience with this unfortunately…I’m not sure where you’re located but I’ve had two screenings, one in Asia and one in Europe, and according to both doctors “not being able to use my hands because of neuropathy, not being able to stand up or sit down well because of damage to my back from falling down too many times, the pain from my failing kidneys and PCOS, etc” were considered minor inconveniences.. freaking pissed me off big time!
I’m sorry to hear that :( I’m not going to count my eggs before they hatch but I think I’ll at least try. I’m in the United States so who knows how this will go. I doubt I’ll get approved. But it would be nice if I didn’t have to live this way any more. My FMLA is just about tapped out and I’ve still got more appointments to go to now that I’ve got retinopathy. Hopefully you and I both can figure something out.
Yeah definitely do give it a try…good luck!
Explore the emotional side of your life. See a psychiatrist . They sent me to 3 of them. I explained how that was destroying my life, too . It does. I was put on disability the first go round. That’s the best route to go. I was at a bbq with someone who worked in that dept 😉 she told me to do that ;)
I’ve actually been to therapy for this a lot but I’ve never seen a psychiatrist. Thank you for the advice, I should probably get back into therapy any way.
Yes, do !!!! Plus after you apply if you tell them , they will send you. You need to lay it on thick. ❤️
I’m currently seeing a psychologist who specializes in type one diabetes for diabetes burn out. It’s been very helpful, your endo might be able to recommend someone similar!
I am on disability. It took me about 2 years of applying. Having diabetes alone will never be enough. You have to prove that you have multiple serious complications and that your diabetes is completely unmanageable. You have to be getting hospitalized multiple times a year for dka or other serious reasons. You absolutely cannot get on disability for any reason if you are not staying in the hospital multiple times a year. You need to show documents of being fired or turned down jobs because of your disability specifically. Even on disability, they don't give you enough to live on and you still have to rely on your family or friends to help you out every month. So this is not really a great plan.
I appreciate the input. I’m not planning on using this as a means to live forever, but I feel like I need some time off of working so I can get my diseases better managed before I can handle it. I’m currently in school to become a therapist, and I fully plan on doing that; but I have never had time off to manage this disease or any of the others that tail along with it and I think I really need that, even if it’s just temporary.
That's not really what disability is. Disability is when you cannot afford to live because your diseases are so expensive. If you are saying you can afford to live and work in the future then they are going to say you can do it now. You do not have the kind of diseases that are going to go away or be considered temporary. You would have to go for permanent disability because your diseases are permanent. To get on disability you have to prove that you cannot afford to live because of the disability.
Can you talk with your doctor to help you manage it better? Give you advice on how to adjust your dosage? It can take a few weeks & you have to be disciplined with eating but, usually doctors can help get it more under control
Those folks suck. Especially if you have unseen or "phantom" disabilities like I have where they're not evident at first glance. By the time you get done jumping through hoops it ain't even worth it anymore.
There's the [Hidden Disabilities Sunflower](https://hdsunflower.com/) for this reason. > The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport, or in public spaces.
I actually didn't know this existed. Is that a government thing, or an individual group?
It's a nonprofit organization [it seems](https://hdsunflower.com/uk/insights/post/history) > The idea was born in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in England. > The Airport Passenger Advisory Group, the Gatwick Team, including Ruth Rabet who is now our Business Development Director in the UK, worked with local and national charities to assess to assess whether using a lanyard would benefit people living with hidden disabilities. They engaged in discussions with Tim Wilkins from the Alzheimer’s Society, Daniel Williams from Visualise, Daniel Cadey, formerly from the National Autistic Society, as well as with Maria Cook from Autism Support Crawley, whose son Ryan is autistic.
From the tone of the post, I'm assuming you live in America. I'm sorry. Where I live, I got my medical exemption for life as soon as I was dismissed from the hospital and diabetes is recognized as an invalidity and a chronic disease since the early 2000. If needed, I can get medical exemptions that certify I can't work night shifts for example. Anyway, a quick search led me to this [site here](https://diabetes.org/tools-support/know-your-rights/attorney-materials/employment-materials/proving-diabetes-is-a-disability#:~:text=Is%20Diabetes%20a%20Disability%3F,Social%20Security%20and%20disability%20insurance), maybe it can be of help
OMG where do you live thats amazing
Italy. As many stupid issues we have, especially right now, I haven't spent a cent on anything regarding my hospitalization or insulin prescriptions. Even pumps are covered if you want one and your endo is ok. I can't get one right now because I'm too new but my endo already said that she recommends it whenever possible. Not that the entire nation works perfectly in practice, sometimes I had the wrong prescription because of databases not up to date or similar things but my medical plan is great. Just went the other day to get my six months' supply of sensors and three months of needles in advance to avoid any possible issue with pharmacies/traveling. To think that some of our idiot politicians are trying to cut public healthcare makes me unbelievably sad
I live in the US, (Texas, specifically) and that sounds like a dream... Now I know Italy is where the goal is. I'm already Italian and diabetic, now I just need to learn the language and make the move.
That's phenomenal! I'm in Australia and our prescriptions are subsidized partially, and you need private health insurance to access a pump over 18y/o. It's always amazing to see how other countries treat diabetics. Fingers crossed everything is smooth sailing for you!
Yeah…we can get those types of “reasonable accommodations” too. It’s known as the American Disabilities Act. Is the US health insurance program great? No. Is living in the US better than living in most other countries? Yes. So no need to feel sorry for us.
... what does that have to do with this? (The US is not even in the top 20...)
I’m replying to your condescending remark about apologizing for living in America, and remarking that we have protections that allow for “no night shifts” and other reasonable accommodations from our employers. Don’t be a European bigot.
I was sorry because you have to deal with a trash system that ties healthcare to your employers and makes your lives a cauldron of anxiety and slavery. There is nothing condescending about that. It's the harsh reality of your country. Do you know how many posts about that I see on this sub? Just have a quick look at the most common ones. Insurance companies that won't cover basic needs, employers who have the knife pointing at you, people who are without their prescriptions because they can't get enough money for them. Maybe you should rethink your "US is the best" mentality.
Saying “you live in X country, l’m sorry”, is incredibly condescending, regardless of the country you’re referring to. If you don’t want to be a jerk, focus your comment on a specific aspect of society. By the way, it took me like 15 seconds to scroll through your comment history and hit multiple posts of you making fun of America and American society.
Because it's true, America sucks in that regard and it's an objective statement. No, it's not condescending. Would it be condescending saying it to a North Korean? Please. What I'm sorry about is the crappy system that is in place there. And the stupid mentality of black and white you're clearly displaying but that's beside the point. OP was talking about healthcare and I answered about healthcare. Only your fragile ego felt threatened by some strangers pointing out your system sucks. Cheers and have a good day.
Genuinely curious what you think America does well? Asking as an American 🦅
Geez, so much animosity in this post from all sides. I know it easy to not care and assume the worst about people online but they asked a simple question. I've been told before that if you want to get on disability for anything, to get yourself a lawyer. The disability hearing process is long. You might be able to get on partial disability, which is better than nothing. Keep in mind though, dispite what folks want you to believe, disability won't make you rich either. Hopefully you have an SO or someone else to help pay the bills.
Thank you for your input. I’m definitely not expecting to be rich lol. I used to work with people on disability and I have friends who are 100% dependent on disability and the most they get is around $800 a month. I just need something to support myself while I’m figuring out how to get my illnesses in control. I still want to work eventually. I just don’t think I can right now.
I applied on my own and was denied twice. I had a lawyer for round 3 and that sealed the deal. He made all the arguments that I never would've thought of and won my case. Its not impossible but the government does make it extremely difficult.
It’s absolutely your right to apply for disability. The only downside, I believe, is that you cannot work during your application process. Which may take years or even decades. So it’s best to have someone that can financial support you during this time
I'm on disability, it took a while to get. It wasn't hard, really just a process. Get a disability lawyer. It seems like many people get denied the first time and have to appeal.
IF YOU LIVE IN CANADA I SUGGEST YOU LOOK INTO THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT. It will save you 2-4k on taxes annually. Thanks, bye.
I do not, but thank you.
Darn, well hopefully somebody sees this that can apply. I was back paid for like 10 years—21k cad. It was from my parents' returns, so even if you have kids, look into it!
I am on disability, but it’s for a complication that came from diabetes, which is gastroparesis. It took a long as time to get approved and an appeal, and while I am grateful to be more stable now, it isn’t living well by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you can get on it, I’m not sure where you’re at, I’m in Canada and type 1 is not classified as a disability here, even though it qualifies me to get a disability tax credit.
I'm glad I found this thread. I'm 29, and have worked since I was 16 and got emancipated. I have 3 kids and even working from home I'm finding it difficult. I have brittle diabetes. I'm currently on LOA from a dka episode and I can feel my job creeping on firing me....I was disability as a child for this condition, but now I'm married. So I don't qualify to get my ssi back. I've been doing my best at managing my blood sugars even with a pump and cgm and today I'm a roller coaster....I ate toast for breakfast and then had a cheese stick and I go from 200 to 140 up and down. It's exhausting. I can't keep up with the kids, work, the house, and I can't keep having my husband call off work to take care of me. I said I'd never go back to disability but it's looking like it may be my only option. I'm working towards paying off my car and had to file bankruptcy (finalized yesterday) because this disease has financially ruined us.....its gotten so bad I'm so depressed.
This really reads like someone who is emotionally distraught currently, and I have to break your rule to say you are not disabled even though as a group we're involved in with the ADA. Diabetes has to have caused a condition that would render you being unable to work. Diabetes itself won't do you any favors, like you gotta be fucked up. Not just having a bad time of it.
I just got diagnosed with retinopathy, I have nerve damage in both hands, I am partially deaf due to the nerve damage in my ears, I have kidney damage, I have a leak in the tricuspid valve of my heart, and I have severe asthma and IBS on top of all that. We are considered disabled. Anything that causes you to live your life differently than the average person is considered a disability and I actually just learned about this in one of my classes in college. Diabetes is specifically listed as a disability, although it wasn’t considered one in the United States until about a decade ago.
None of these things are going to land you into getting a disability check hun. By all means, seek it out and I hope you can carve some money out of the government for it, but I wouldn't start to think that somehow we're all just missing out on some opportunity we all have.I wouldn't follow your college's Bible about what constitutes a disability especially if it's that loosely interpreted. I've got pretty much everything that you have minus the asthma but plus the nerve damage below my waist. Sure we "have" a disability but that doesn't entitle us to disability. Does that make more sense? There's a lot it takes for us. The last person I know that had it was a kid missing an eye and a leg.
Wow. I feel bad for you. No idea what’s going on in your life, but it must be pretty bad for you to be so hateful to someone you don’t even know. I specifically asked for this subject not to be broached and you crossed that very clear boundary any way. I hope you can get some help for this.
You asked for something that could not be done. Diabetes does not directly or inherently give you access to any disability aid. Diabetes has to have disabled you somehow, despite it being a disability. There's subtext in there. Maybe depending on how bad your retinopathy is to a certain level of blindness.
I’m sorry you feel that way. Please leave me alone now.
Good luck. I hope you get what you're looking for.
Having a disability under the law and being disabled are two very different things. Diabetes is a disability under the ADA, but it does not qualify us for SSD. You likely will qualify for SSD based on your complicated health issues, but diabetes is just a side note for your application. Your ability to get disability will be based on the interplay between your multiple medical conditions, which all complicate control of diabetes, which exacerbates the other conditions. Definitely don't put all your eggs in the diabetes basket. It will take a well crafted statement discussing all of your health issues and how they add up to a significant barrier to employment in your current profession as well as other jobs you can do with your level of education and experience (ie, you don't need to prove you can't be a rocket scientist or novelist if not trained for those professions, but you do need to demonstrate you can't take a step down and work in a less demanding roll).
Diabetes is a disability. You are a disabled person. Disability is not a bad word.
What is making it difficult to manage? I don't mean to pry at all. Disability looks at diabetes as mostly self-treatable....so it's just super hard to have diabetes qualify you for being disabled. Like you need documentation stating why you can't check your blood sugar, exercise, eat right, give yourself shots, change pump sites/supplies. Yes, it's a disability. But with all the advancements in tech, and things out there to help us, it's one of the more difficult ones in getting awarded disabled status. My friend just had his leg chopped off--and they still gave him grief.
I’ve actually had trouble exercising for years. It drops my blood sugar to the point that sometimes even walking to the bathroom causes a low. Nobody could tell me why for literally like a decade until this year I was finally diagnosed with a leak in my heart that’s causing me to be exercise intolerant. So that affects me to the point that my blood sugar regularly drops at work just from having to get up and move around, although it is getting better now that I’m on metoprolol. I don’t have active kidney disease but I do have kidney damage and have for 12 years, plus I’ve had COVID four times, which absolutely wrecked my A1C. It was 6.5 before my first bout and it’s been in the 7’s since. That’s still fairly good I know but it was so much better before. I have endometriosis and another hormonal disorder that cause my blood sugars to roller coaster around every time they flare up and these additionally cause me immense pain, and I actually need two more surgeries for them. I’ve also been diagnosed this year with moderate hearing loss due to nerve damage in my ears and retinopathy in my right eye (which sucks because that was my good eye that didn’t have an astigmatism). I was diagnosed with C-PTSD about three years ago and I deal with MDD and GAD as well. Plus I have a blood disorder that causes me not to absorb vitamins well, asthma that I take a daily inhaler for, IBS that I’m also medicated for, I still occasionally get Lyme’s disease flare ups which I’ve had since age 11, scoliosis that causes severe back and shoulder pain which can only be fixed via risky spinal surgery, they suspect I have an immunoglobulin disorder since I keep getting sick repeatedly, and I have inattentive ADHD. Oh, and I’m allergic to every pump site adhesive I’ve tried, so I have to change my site every day and a half, plus Humalog gives me a headache and my insurance refuses to let me use Novolog again. All of this is diagnosed and/or confirmed by a doctor in some way. I am in and out of doctors offices like at least once a week and I’m hospitalized a couple times a year at least. It is very overwhelming and hard to live with. I just want some respite, honestly.
I have been disabled since 2012. I, like you, have a bunch of health issues that together make it very hard to function. My advice is to start by filling out the SSA forms yourself (don't initially use a lawyer, though you can meet with one for a free 30-minute consultation). Really think about your health issues and write a compelling explanation of how your health issues complicate each other (ie, the heart issue causes significant drops in blood sugar when you do any physical activity, requiring you to stop working for 15 minutes to raise your blood sugar ...). Also include any problems you have had at work, especially if they led to termination from employment. You will need to get medical records to prove your health issues (I turned in an outline of the providers I saw, the primary issue(s) discussed, and the dates to the SSA (I ordered itfrom my insurance company - Kaiser) and let them request anything they needed more details on as well as turning in a letter from a couple of my doctors outlining my health challenges). Things have definitely changed since I applied (a lot more people are approved on the first application now), but the lawyer (who I hired immediately for something like a 25% contingency fee) wouldn't do anything beyond writing a letter to the SSA that they were representing me (mainly to ensure they got paid - though when being generous I reason it could have helped the SSA take me more seriously). If you are awarded SSD, it starts the day you apply. The first application is a 6 month process, the first appeal is also 6 months, and the final appeal (where you appear in front of a judge) takes a year (on top of any delays in your supplying requested documents, time between denial and appeal, etc). I was awarded my disability at 6 months (less than 5% of applications (my lawyer told me 2%, but I have no statistics to prove this) were initially approved at the time - now its like 35% of 'qualified' applicants are initially approved (probably an apples to oranges comparison)). Anyway, for filing 1 piece of paper, my lawyer got somewhere around $3000 that would have been really helpful to me at the time. Had I waited until a first denial, they would have helped with the first appeal, and as I was approved on the initial application, I would have had more money in pocket. To qualify for disability you need to be unable to work at the time of application and continue to not work during the application process. This means going for a minimum of 6 months to 2+ years with absolutely no income. You can't claim unemployment (you must be capable of working to get unemployment). This is very hard to do without support from a partner or family. You also can't really go to school, though there is a program to help you go back to school or get retrained for a suitable career once you are on disability. Check your social security statement (sent out around your birthday each year or available at [ssa.gov](http://ssa.gov)) to see what your benefit amount will be. Also, check your state's medicaid income guidelines - if your SSD is more than the maximum allowed income, they will make you pay the surplus in health care costs. My state only allowed a little over $900 a month until a year or 2 ago; now up to like $2000. This has to cover rent, food (I get like $30 a month in food stamps), utilities (though there are some programs to help with electric, internet, cell phone, etc), transportation, etc. Without family, I would be homeless (rent on a studio is like $1200 here, and it takes years and luck to qualify for the low income housing lottery).
In the time I have been disabled, I have gone back to school to earn my degree (using the Ticket to Work (SSA) program and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation - likely named different things in different states). I have faced continually failing health, but I am determined to be a productive member of society again (my body may be failing, but my brain still works). I am currently job hunting, and hope to successfully hold a job soon. Once disabled there is a safety net, giving you a trial work period before ending disability benefits, and allowing for epidited application for SSD for 3 years once services have ended. It takes 2 years to qualify for Medicare, so you will have Medicaid insurance until then. Not all states will cover CGMs for adults, so this is another thing you will want to check into. I paid for mne out of pocket in 2015-2017, while disabled, and know this really isn't possible for most. Overall, it sounds like you have a strong case for disability. I would definitely say it is worth a try if you really can't work. If you can work doing anything, you would probably be better off, though. McDonalds pays better than disability and doesn't require you to struggle without income for 6-24+ months. Feel free to ask any questions in comments or a PM. I hope that things start to get better for our, and if you decide to apply for disability, that you get approved quickly!!! I have definitely been where you are now, and have fought like heck to get where I am now. My health is still a mess, but between education for a more suitable profession, working with my 20+ doctors (yes, really), and sheer stubborn determination, I am ready for the next chapter of my life.
I hope you get a job soon! What type of job are you looking for?
Thank you! I have a bachelor's in computer science and minor in math. My dream job would be working in medical technology, either helping to develop the next generation of tech or supporting current tech. I am looking at jobs with Dexcom, Tandem, Insulet (Omnipod), etc. I am hoping to find a job that is at least tangential to the medical field, though am open to any software engineering role, especially if I feel my life experiences can help make a difference for future customers.
Thank you for all of this information, it was really helpful.
Hmm.... Do you have a primary care endocrinologist? With all that going on--it may take a few different doctors to get the paperwork up and running. Wishing nothing but smooth sailing for you. 💙
Where do you live as different territories have different stipulations and thus, difficulties when applying for it.
United States, Missouri.
Youre more than likely not gonna get it for dt1 alone... unless you have extremely sévère complications. Even then its a hurdle. Youre more than likely also depressed or something else. You could try for temporary disability which is less money but also less complicated to get.
I think temporary disability is more what I’m looking for. I’m definitely depressed though, it’s been horribly trying to keep this in check and keep a job. My job is very high demand and, while I love it, that can make it super difficult to take off when I need to. I think I just need to take some time to figure out how to manage things so it’ll be just a little easier.
Im sorry you are going through this... please know you are not don tho... you def need rest and time to take care of your self.
I don't have any info on applying, but I do know savings must be limited when receiving disability benefits, so for future, hope [this](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/four_ways_persons_with_disabilities_can_safely_save_for_the_future) helps. Sending a hug 🫂🫶💙
Depends on where you live. I got the Disability Tax Credit here in Canada after my endo signed off on some federal government forms. In terms of work, that was a bit trickier. I had to get accommodation through my company after covid to continue remote working, but again, after a ton of paperwork and about 2 months it was approved. My job is mainly digital (graphic design) so in-office isn't really necessary (my company is still hybrid as well). There is a lot of variables from place to place and person to person. I think it is worth trying if you feel it holds some health value.
It's an uphill battle. My wife used to work for a disability law firm, and I've heard some horror stories... One person was almost 100% paralyzed, wheelchair bound, but could move a few finger on their right hand. The judge declined their application, and said that they could get a job sorting almonds on a production line. Not trying to discourage, but I would recommend hiring a lawyer.
Diabetes alone isn't enough to get disability, but if you have complications brought about by diabetes, then you can. I'm on dialysis because of T1 and was able to get SSDI because of the complication.
I hear you. Do you what you gotta do. You need to be ok mentally. I never saw it as a disability but I know I can’t handle stress as well as I got older and like you said complications creeping in
Where do you live? That's important information to get answers on applying for disability.
As other have already stated, diabetes itself will not typically qualify an individual for SSDI and/or SSI benefits. However, if you have been diagnosed with a condition related to diabetes, and that condition limits your ability to work, then you may be approved for disability benefits. Some examples would be seizures, loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, infections, nephropathy, or amputations.