Asthma is a chronic illness characterized by swelling and inflammation of the airways from the nose and mouth to the lungs. These airways narrow, resulting in difficulty breathing. One in 12 people in the U.S. have asthma. That’s over 27 million people affected by the disease.
While many people with asthma are able to manage their condition and live normal lives, others may experience more extreme symptoms that impact their ability to work. If you or your loved one has regular, debilitating asthma attacks, it may be time to consider financial support if it’s making it impossible to maintain a sustainable income. Your asthma may be considered for disability benefits if it meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) criteria.
In this Article:
- What Causes Asthma Attacks?
- Can I Qualify for Disability with Asthma?
- Meeting Asthma Disability Requirements
- Gathering Proper Medical Evidence
- Find a Chicago Disability Lawyer
What Causes Asthma Attacks?
People with asthma can have difficulty breathing properly because of abnormal contractions of the bronchial tubes. Symptoms of this disorder include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Many sources can also trigger an asthma attack, including irritants in the air, allergies, cold air, exercise, and cold viruses. Even emotional upsets can bring about an asthma attack, and some attacks occur without an apparent reason.
Though medication can often be used to treat asthma, some patients experience episodes that are disabling, despite having undergone treatment. These instances are rare, but they can make it impossible for an individual to maintain full-time employment. If you are experiencing asthma in Illinois, a Chicago disability lawyer can help you determine if you can retain disability benefits from the SSA.
Can I Qualify For Disability With Asthma?
To qualify for disability benefits with asthma, you must 1) earn no more than $1,550 ($2,590 if you’re blind) and 2) have asthma that has lasted 12 months or more. Then, the SSA’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) will determine whether your symptoms match their official asthma disability listing.
You will almost certainly have to see a medical examiner who will administer several tests to determine the severity of your symptoms. If you are required to see a medical examiner, be sure not to miss your appointment and come ready to put your worst symptoms on display.
This is not to say you should lie or misrepresent your condition, but the medical examiner needs to see what your worst days look like — the days that make it difficult to work.
Meeting Asthma Disability Requirements
If you can meet all the criteria the SSA establishes for asthma, your disability benefits claim will automatically be approved. These requirements include first being diagnosed with chronic asthma, then at least fulfilling one of these conditions:
Frequent Asthma Attacks
You must have frequent asthma attacks that last one day minimum and necessitate medical attention like extended breathing treatments or I.V. medication that is provided in an ER, medical facility, or hospital.
To qualify, your attacks must persist despite you being supervised by a doctor while complying with treatments. Additionally, they must occur six times a year or every other month at minimum, and you must have a physician evaluate your condition consistently for 12 months to establish how often the attacks occur for the SSA’s record.
OR
Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis
You must experience chronic asthmatic bronchitis, with the same level of forced expiratory volume (FEV1) that is required for qualification for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
Gathering Proper Medical Evidence
You will have to undergo a spirometry test to prove that you have chronic asthmatic bronchitis and meet the listing requirements for asthma. This kind of test measures how much air you breathe both in and out and the rate at which you breathe.
The disability requirements stipulate that you must measure how much air you can force out in one second. You will also need to prove to the SSA that you have been experiencing the required symptoms for 12 consecutive months, via medical records showing hospitalizations, treatments you received, and testimony from your doctor regarding your compliance toward asthma treatment.
Find A Chicago Disability Lawyer
If you experience asthma and think you could qualify for disability benefits, an experienced Chicago disability lawyer will help you navigate how to proceed. Even if you applied but were denied, it’s not too late to talk to a lawyer if you disagree with the decision.
Contact Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers today to start on the path towards the benefits you deserve. For a FREE consultation, call (312) 600-6000 and find out why thousands say… Larry wins!
