Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can have a significant impact on a person’s life. For some, managing the condition requires major lifestyle adjustments that can affect their ability to work. But can you get disability benefits for celiac disease? In this article, we’ll explore whether celiac disease qualifies as a disability, the process for applying for benefits, and how a disability lawyer can assist you.
Table of Contents
- What Is Celiac Disease?
- Is Celiac Disease a Disability?
- Disability for Celiac Disease: The Process of Qualifying
- Residual Functional Capacity and Celiac Disease
- Does Celiac Disease Qualify For Disability in California?
- Common Challenges in Applying for Disability for Celiac Disease
- How a Disability Lawyer Can Help with Celiac Disease Claims
- Dr. Bill LaTour Can Help You Get Disability for Celiac Disease
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease occurs when the immune system reacts negatively to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, it triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, leading to malabsorption of essential nutrients. Symptoms vary but often include chronic diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to long-term complications like anemia, osteoporosis, and neurological problems.
Is Celiac Disease a Disability?
Legally, a condition is considered a disability if it significantly limits your ability to perform basic activities or work. While celiac disease is not automatically considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals who experience severe symptoms that hinder their ability to work may qualify for disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates whether celiac disease impairs a person’s ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA). This includes determining whether your symptoms make it impossible to maintain a job despite treatment.
Disability for Celiac Disease: The Process of Qualifying
To qualify for disability benefits with celiac disease, you may be eligible for either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), depending on your work history and financial situation. SSI is a need-based program that provides benefits to individuals with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or over the age of 65. SSDI, on the other hand, is available to individuals who have earned enough work credits through employment and who have a disability that prevents them from continuing to work. Celiac disease must be shown to significantly impair your ability to work for you to qualify for either program. Medical documentation, including detailed records of symptoms, treatments, and how the condition limits your daily activities, plays a critical role in the approval process for both SSI and SSDI.
Comparative Listings
The SSA’s “Blue Book” outlines specific medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability. While celiac disease does not have its own listing, it can be compared to other digestive system disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If the symptoms of celiac disease are as severe as those listed for IBD or other digestive impairments, you may qualify based on a comparable listing.
If your celiac disease does not meet one of these listings, you can still qualify by proving that your condition makes it impossible for you to work.
Residual Functional Capacity and Celiac Disease
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is an assessment used by the SSA to determine how much you can still do despite your condition. If celiac disease severely impacts your ability to perform work-related activities, you may be granted disability benefits based on your RFC.
When evaluating RFC, the SSA looks at several factors:
- The severity of your symptoms
- The frequency of flare-ups or complications
- Whether treatments are effective or provide little relief
- Other health conditions that may exacerbate celiac disease
For example, if chronic fatigue or digestive problems prevent you from standing for long periods or performing manual labor, your RFC evaluation would reflect these limitations.
Does Celiac Disease Qualify For Disability in California?
In California, the process for claiming disability for celiac disease follows federal guidelines under the SSA. However, state-specific programs like California State Disability Insurance (SDI) may also provide short-term benefits for those temporarily unable to work due to health conditions.
When applying for disability in California, it is important to provide detailed medical records that show how celiac disease limits your ability to perform work-related tasks. This includes evidence of diagnosis, treatments, ongoing symptoms, and how the disease impacts your daily life.
Common Challenges in Applying for Disability for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease can be challenging to prove as a disabling condition, primarily because many people manage their symptoms through a strict gluten-free diet. However, in severe cases where symptoms persist despite dietary changes, individuals may struggle with chronic health issues that prevent them from working.
Claims may be denied if:
- The SSA believes your condition is manageable with treatment
- You lack sufficient medical evidence of how the disease impairs your ability to work
- You fail to follow recommended treatments or dietary guidelines
To improve your chances of approval, provide thorough medical documentation and show that, despite following prescribed treatments, your symptoms still significantly limit your ability to work. If your claim is denied, working with a disability lawyer can help you navigate the appeals process and strengthen your case for future consideration.
How a Disability Lawyer Can Help with Celiac Disease Claims
Applying for disability benefits can be a complex and overwhelming process. An experienced disability lawyer can assist you in various ways to increase your chances of approval:
A lawyer can help you compile thorough and accurate medical records, including doctor’s notes, treatment histories, diagnostic tests, and any additional documentation that shows how celiac disease impacts your ability to work. They will help ensure that this evidence clearly demonstrates the severity of your condition and the persistence of symptoms despite treatment.
Since celiac disease isn’t automatically listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, you will likely need to undergo an RFC evaluation. A disability lawyer can guide you through this process, ensuring that your limitations are accurately reported and that your inability to perform certain work-related tasks is well-documented.
If your initial claim is denied, you may need to attend a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. A lawyer can prepare you for what to expect during this hearing, help you answer questions effectively, and ensure that your case is presented in the strongest possible light.
If your disability claim is denied, a lawyer can handle the appeals process, which includes submitting additional medical evidence, addressing the reasons for the denial, and ensuring that deadlines are met. An experienced attorney knows how to structure an appeal to maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.
The Social Security disability application process can be stressful and filled with legal and bureaucratic hurdles. A disability attorney can relieve much of this burden by handling paperwork, communicating with the SSA on your behalf, and guiding you through each step of the process.
By working with a disability lawyer, you increase the likelihood of successfully obtaining benefits for your celiac disease, even if your condition does not fit neatly within the SSA’s listed criteria.
Dr. Bill LaTour Can Help You Get Disability for Celiac Disease
If the symptoms of celiac disease prevent you from working, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, navigating the complex Social Security system can be challenging, especially for conditions like celiac disease that aren’t explicitly listed. Dr. Bill LaTour and his experienced team understand the intricacies of disability claims and can help you build a strong case to receive benefits. Whether you need assistance gathering medical evidence, preparing for an RFC evaluation, or appealing a denied claim, our disability attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward fighting to get disability for celiac disease.
