You may be one of the growing numbers of people here in New Jersey and across the country who suffer from diabetes. This condition can lead to a number of issues that could leave you with debilitating health issues. In fact, it may even reach the point where you can’t work or struggle to get through day-to-day activities.
If you find yourself unable to work due to the dangerous and chronic effects of diabetes, you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. However, simply receiving a diagnosis of diabetes is not enough. You will need to provide evidence that diabetes and its related conditions keep you from finding gainful employment. It may help to understand the conditions that diabetes can cause that could lead to your inability to work and the need for benefits.
The damage that diabetes can do to your body
In addition to affecting many of your body’s organs, diabetes can also lead to the following issues:
- You could experience nerve damage in your legs that manifests in numbness, tingling, pain and burning. Also called neuropathy, this damage usually begins in your toes and works its way up your legs over time. You may also experience neuropathy in your hands and arms.
- Your kidneys could also suffer damage due to diabetes. The damage can interrupt your kidneys’ filtering system. You may suffer from end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. The condition could require you to go through dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
- Researchers believe there may be a link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, but they do not yet understand the connection.
- Your vision could suffer because of diabetes as well. You could end up with glaucoma or cataracts. You could go blind.
- You could even suffer hearing loss because of diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to heart problems such as stroke, high blood pressure and heart attacks, among other heart conditions.
Does your condition make you eligible for SSDI?
Whether your diabetes and any conditions stemming from it qualify you for SSDI depends on the situation and severity of your issues. If you remain unsure as to whether your condition makes you eligible for benefits, you would greatly benefit from consulting with an experienced SSDI attorney. The eligibility and application processes can be complex and frustrating, and going it alone may only cause you unneeded stress.
It may also be a challenge to ensure that you provide the right evidence of your condition or conditions and enough of it. The Social Security Administration’s screening process is rigorous in order to avoid misuse of the system, but it also makes it a challenge for people with real need to obtain benefits that would help them meet their financial obligations when their health does not allow them to do so on their own.
