Can You Get Disability Benefits For Asthma?

You may get disability for asthma if your medical condition affects your day-to-day activities. If your disability limits your ability to do work and you meet SSA’s criteria, you may get approved for asthma disability benefits.

People who applied for asthma disability benefits got approved in 2022 as 244,399 people in 2021. In further sections, you will get to know whether your asthma qualifies for disability, how SSA defines asthma, and whether you should apply for asthma based on your work experience and medical condition. 

What Is An Asthma?

Asthma is a condition where an individual’s airways will become inflated or may swell and will produce extra mucus making it difficult to breathe. 

In some cases, asthma can be mild and may cause problems in engaging in daily tasks such as walking or eating while in other cases, your disabling condition may lead to a life-threatening attack. In severe persistent asthma cases, people may also be required to use longer-acting inhalers that may keep airways open and they may require oral steroids.

Common Symptoms And Types of Asthma

Asthma symptoms may vary from one individual to another. It may get worse with time and people may experience asthma attacks. Some of the asthma symptoms may include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath 
• Chest tightness 
• Coughing
• Waking up at night

There are several types of asthma, each with unique characteristics, triggers, and symptoms. Understanding the specific type of asthma you have can help your healthcare provider suggest the right treatment. Here are some common types of asthma:

• Allergic asthma
• Non-allergic asthma
• Exercise-induced asthma
• Cough-variant asthma
• Occupational asthma
• Nocturnal asthma
• Asthma-COPD overlaps

Is Asthma A Disability?

Yes, Asthma is a disability according to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Social Security Administration (SSA). Asthma is listed in the Blue Book under the respiratory disorders section. 

Eligibility Criteria For Getting Disability With Asthma

You may need to meet the following requirements to be considered eligible:

• Medical diagnosis: You must have a formal diagnosis of asthma from a qualified healthcare professional, typically a pulmonologist or an immunologist.
• The severity of symptoms: Your asthma must be severe enough that it significantly impairs your ability to perform work-related tasks, even with proper treatment and long-term control medication. This may include frequent and severe asthma attacks, persistent symptoms, or limitations on physical activity due to shortness of breath.
• Impact on daily activities: Your asthma must interfere with your ability to perform essential work-related functions or daily living activities, such as walking, heavy lifting, or carrying objects, for an extended period.
• Medical documentation: You must provide thorough medical documentation of your asthma, including treatment history, medications, frequency and severity of symptoms, and any hospitalizations or emergency room visits due to asthma attacks.
• Duration: Your asthma must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Along with these, your asthma may be eligible for benefits if you meet any of the following conditions:

The air you are exhaling during a forced breath is below or at the approved level of the SSA or hospitalized three times in 1 year, and hospitalization has been occurring at least 30 days and lasting for at least 48 hours. 

In the United States, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific listing for asthma in their “Blue Book” of impairments (Listing 3.03). If your condition meets or exceeds the severity level described in this listing, you may be considered for asthma social security disability. 

SSDI vs. SSI with Asthma

Applying for the appropriate disability benefit program is essential as it will increase your chances of approval. Therefore, people who have worked for at least 5 of the last ten years and have paid their taxes are eligible for  Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI for asthma.

People who have little assets and income can apply for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) for asthma as it will be a better choice for them. 

What Happens If My Asthma Meets The Criteria?

If your asthma meets the criteria mentioned in the SSA’s Blue Book, you must apply as soon as possible. The applicants think that the application process is complicated and they will not qualify for the benefits. 

Apply if you satisfy the following conditions:

• You can apply if you are not working owing to your extreme medical impairment, such as 24-hour oxygen or multiple hospitalizations. 
• If an applicant is over 50 and you are unable to do the work you used to do previously, you may be found to be eligible. 

You must apply later or wait if the doctor suggests that your asthma will get better with treatment or you haven’t stopped working completely.

You must not apply at all if you are able to control your asthma through proper medications or if you are earning more than $1,550 every month. 

What Happens If You Do Not Meet The SSA’s Eligibility Criteria For Asthma?

If your asthma does not meet these criteria, you might still qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits if your overall health and functional limitations prevent you from doing any work. 

You can file an appeal and include additional information and medical evidence by consulting an experienced disability attorney who can help in the asthma disability claim process. 

How Do I Apply For Asthma Disability Benefits?

The process for applying for disability benefits due to asthma typically involves the following steps:

• Understand Eligibility Requirements: You must know the eligibility criteria of the SSA before applying for disability benefits. 
• Gather Medical Documentation: Collect medical records, nitric oxide test results, doctor’s notes, and any other relevant documentation that will support your diagnosis of asthma. 
• Complete Application Forms: Fill out the necessary forms required by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This might include forms specific to asthma or general disability application forms. The following are different mediums for applying asthma disability benefits.

1. Apply online: You can begin applying online by completing the application process at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability.
2. Call the Social Security Administration: The applicant can call 1-800-772-1213 from 8 AM to 7 PM. In case, an applicant has a hearing problem or is deaf, they can call at 1-800-325-0778.
3. Visit a local Social Security office: One of the many ways in which you can apply for the benefits is by visiting your local SSA office. An applicant is not required to make an appointment for this. However, they can schedule an appointment to avoid waiting time.

• Provide Supporting Evidence: Include all relevant medical records, test results, and statements from doctors that demonstrate the impact of asthma on your daily life and ability to work. 
• Submit Your Application: Send your completed application along with supporting documents to the SSA. Make sure to follow their guidelines for submission carefully.
• Follow-up: After submitting your disability application, follow up with the SSA to ensure they have received all necessary documents.

Tips For Improving Your Chances Of Approval For Asthma

By following the useful tips below, a disability claimant may improve the chances of approval from the SSA.

• Try to review the SSA Blue Book Listing whether your disability fits in the listing or not.
• Check the work and SGA requirements to ensure you qualify for the benefits.
• Always go for regular doctor check-ups and follow the prescription information.
• If your medical condition is not improving, you may ask to see a specialist.
• Try to maintain a symptoms dairy that will act as evidence for disability claims.

Challenges In Proving Disability Due To Asthma

When you file your asthma long-term disability claim, SSA will need a diagnosis and symptoms of the disorder. There may be different evidence that will help to prove your claim. It includes proof of diagnosis, medical documents, and other records.

• Proof of Asthma Diagnosis

The SSA may require an asthma diagnosis that will prove your long-term disability claim. For that, you need to consult a doctor that will perform a physical examination and will confirm your diagnosis. 

Proving asthma as a disability typically involves medical documentation and assessments. A healthcare professional, such as a pulmonologist, can provide detailed reports outlining the severity, frequency of symptoms, and the impact on daily life. 

• Physical Exam

The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, health issues, and medical history. This will require a physical exam to prove your respiratory infection.

• Lung Function Measurements

If the physical examination is not enough, the doctor may do further tests such as lung functioning tests that will determine how much air is able to move when you breathe. 

In addition to the above testing, other tests to diagnose asthma include:

• Mеthасhоlіnе challenge
• Sputum еоѕіnорhіlѕ
• Nitric oxide test
• Imaging tests
• Allergy testing
• Provocative testing for exercise and cold-induced asthma

If the spirometry and peak flow tests suggest that you are struggling with asthma, these additional tests can help confirm the diagnosis of your disability. 

Common reasons why asthma disability claims are denied

There are various reasons why your asthma disability claims are denied which include:

• Insufficient medical evidence: It may happen that an applicant may not have provided sufficient medical evidence to support your disability claim.  
• Inaccurate evaluation: The claim may get rejected when the applicant’s asthma may be inaccurately evaluated.
• Surveillance: The applicant’s disability insurance carrier may at times conduct surveillance in case the applicant is not being honest with their symptoms.
• Failure to document work history: The applicant’s claim may get rejected when they have insufficient work history evidence and when they took off from their work. 

The Importance of legal representation in the disability claim process

Legal representation is vital in the disability claim process as an experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer can help with the following:

• Understand disability law: A disability attorney will help in the claim process as they know the details of the disability law.
• Review your claim: A lawyer understands the claim process by reviewing the initial claim and checking whether all evidence and records are mentioned in the claim. It will avoid the rejection of your claim.
• Guide you through the appeals process: Your attorney will help you in the appeals process when your initial claim gets rejected.
• Fight for your rights: A legal professional will help represent you in court and fight for your rights. 

What is the disability check for asthma?

The amount of asthma disability checks varies depending on the severity of the condition and the person’s work history. The average monthly benefit for people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases is $1,356.10 in 2024. However, the maximum monthly benefit for SSDI is $3,822, and $943 with SSI.

Helpful Links That Will Help You in Your Asthma Disability Benefits 

• Asthma and SSD
• Blue Book Description
• Residual Functional Capacity Form 
• Find your local SSA Office