On June 7, 2011, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) revised its criteria for evaluating whether people with medical impairments set out in Medical Listing 9 are eligible for Social Security disability on a stand-alone basis. Citing improvements in early detection, better treatments and a lack of severity in many cases, individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or other thyroid disorders, with the exception of children under the age of six, are no longer automatically eligible for disability. SSA believes that these types of disorders no longer meet the 12-month durational requirement and, therefore, the disorders cannot be considered disabilities. If endocrine disorders cause problems of medical listing-level severity in other organs or glands, however, SSA will “evaluate these effects under other body system listings.” SSA will still look at diabetes as a “factor” of disability and will examine the disease's affect on a person's ability to function and work. Some serious complications, such as amputations or blindness will still meet the criteria for other medical listing categories.

Importantly, individuals currently receiving Social Security disability benefits based upon endocrine disorders will not be terminated. They will continue to be reviewed for medical improvement under the original medical listing upon which their initial entitlement was based.

The changes to Social Security's medical criteria will make it more difficult (but not impossible) for people suffering from diabetes to get SSDI or SSI benefits. The attorneys at Patel & Williams, PLLC, are committed to fight for your disability benefits in spite of the SSA's recent changes. Call today for a free consultation.