How do you know when you have a diabetic disability? According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes is considered a disability when it limits one or more of a person’s major life activities. Major life activities are defined by the ADA as “basic activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty, such as eating or caring for oneself.” A person also is considered to have a diabetic disability when the disease causes side effects or complications that substantially limit a major life activity.
Allsup.com gives very clear explanation of the guidelines used to determine if a diabetic disability qualifies for Social Security insurance. The complete explanation can be found on Allsup.com. In short, it states that the determination is a five-step process in which the following factors are reviewed:
- Whether the person is currently working or “engaging in substantial gainful activity”.
- Whether the disability is severe enough to limit one’s ability to perform basic work activity as required by most jobs.
- If a person has had significant and persistent problems with neuropathy, acidosis, or retinitis.
- Whether or not a person can perform work he or she has performed in the past.
- Age, education, work experience, as well as physical and mental standing are all examined to determine if a person can perform work. The determination may also vary according to the age and skill level of the person seeking diabetic disability insurance.
Diabetic Neuropathy Disability
Diabetic neuropathy is a disorder associated with diabetes that is thought to result from microvascular (small blood vessel) damage. When these blood vessels are damaged they cannot supply the nerves, usually in the lower extremities. This leads to nerve damage in the individual, and therefore loss of sensation. Furthermore, because of bad circulation, loss of sensation, and vulnerability to infection, amputation is often the result.
The website, disability-claims.net, recommends that you apply for diabetic disability insurance immediately if you have been disabled are not able to work for at least twelve months. Neuropathy is considered a diabetic disability if it causes severe limitations in the use of the hands or in the ability to stand and walk. Theoretically, children can be allowed disability for diabetic neuropathy as well, however, neuropathy normally occurs in people who have had diabetes for long amounts of time (TheDisabilityExpert.com, 2003).
