Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
Can You Get Disability for Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious genetic blood disorder that can cause chronic pain, organ damage, and frequent medical complications that make it difficult to work. For individuals whose symptoms prevent them from maintaining steady employment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may provide crucial financial support.
What Is SCD?
SCD is a type of hemolytic anemia and an inherited hematological disorder that affects the hemoglobin within a person’s red blood cells (RBC). Hemoglobin is the protein within RBC that carries oxygen. The abnormal hemoglobin makes the RBC more prone to distortion (“sickling”), which results in blocked blood vessels and a shortened RBC lifespan. Hemolytic anemia results when the abnormal RBC are destroyed faster than the body can produce them.
When hemoglobin is normal, a person’s RBC are round and easily travel through blood vessels, bringing oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. SCD causes sickle-shaped RBC that are not flexible and can stick to vessel walls, causing blockages (vaso-occlusion) that slow or stop the flow of blood and oxygen. This blockage may in turn cause pain. Persons with SCD are predisposed to pain, infection, and other complications. Because people inherit SCD, the disease is present at birth, but the age when children display symptoms varies.
The different variants of SCD may indicate complication severity and resulting functional limitations. Laboratory blood tests such as hemoglobin electrophoresis establish the existence and the variants of SCD. The following are the most common variants of SCD:
| Most Common Variants of SCD |
|---|
| Hemoglobin (Hb) SS (HbSS) | The most common and usually most severe form of SCD. |
| HbSC | HbSC is usually a milder type of SCD. |
| Hb S-beta (Sβ) thalassemia | There are two forms of beta thalassemia, sickle beta zero thalassemia (Hb Sβ0 thalassemia) and sickle beta plus thalassemia (Hb Sβ+ thalassemia). Sickle beta zero thalassemia is usually a more severe form of SCD. People with sickle beta plus thalassemia tend to have a milder form of SCD. |
| HbSD, HbSE, and HbS | These are rarer types of SCD with varying severity. |
Is Sickle Cell Trait a Variant of SCD?
No. People with sickle cell trait rarely have signs and symptoms associated with SCD and usually do not need treatment. However, in rare cases and under extreme conditions such as intense exercise, people with sickle cell trait have a higher risk of severe breakdown of muscle tissue (exertional rhabdomyolysis) that can lead to serious complications.
Sickle cell trait alone is not an impairment. SSA cannot find a person disabled due to sickle cell trait if there are no medical signs or laboratory findings of complications from sickle cell trait and complications from sickle cell trait do not last for 12 consecutive months (duration).
What Are the Common Complications and Symptoms of SCD?
Complications of SCD may include, but are not limited to pain crises, anemia, osteomyelitis, leg ulcers, pulmonary infections or infarctions, acute chest syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, chronic heart failure, gallbladder disease, liver failure, kidney failure, nephritic syndrome, aplastic crisis, stroke, and mental impairments such as depression. Examples of symptoms that may stem from complications include pain, fatigue, malaise, shortness of breath, and difficulty feeding in infants. The symptoms of SCD vary from person to person and can change over time.
| Common Complications and Symptoms of SCD |
|---|
| Pain |
|
| Anemia |
|
| Pulmonary Complications |
|
| Stroke/Silent Stroke |
|
| Bacterial Infections |
|
| Mental Impairments |
|
How Does SSA Evaluate SCD Complications?
Hematological Listings to Consider
7.05 and 107.05 (Hemolytic Anemias)
- Pain crises caused by SCD under 7.05A and 107.05A
- Complications requiring hospitalizations under 7.05B and 107.05B
- SCD that results in anemia with low hemoglobin levels under 7.05C and 107.05C
7.17 and 107.17 (Hematological Disorders treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation)
- Under disability for at least 12 months after date of transplant
7.18 (Repeated complications of Hematological Disorders)
- Repeated complications that do not meet Listing 7.05 or 7.17
- SCD must cause repeated complications, with significant, documented symptoms or signs and “marked” limitation in activities of daily living, social functioning or completing tasks due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace
If a person’s SCD does not meet a hematological listing, SSA will compare the specific findings to any appropriate hematological listings to determine whether medical equivalence may exist. SSA may also find medical equivalence if the person has multiple impairments, including SCD, none of which meet or medically equal the requirements of a listing alone, but the combination of impairments is medically equivalent in severity to a listed impairment.
If the person’s SCD does not meet or equal the criteria in a listing, SSA will consider whether he or she has an impairment that satisfies the criteria in a listing in another body system. For example, SSA may evaluate the effects of intracranial bleeding or stroke under 11.00 or 12.00.
If the person’s impairment(s) do not meet or medically equal a listing, the RFC assessment is based on all the relevant evidence in the record, including the effects of treatment.
How Does SSA Evaluate SCD Under Functional Equivalence for Children?
The cumulative physical effects of SCD and its treatment can vary in kind and intensity, affecting each child differently. Children with SCD that does not meet or medically equal a listing may nevertheless have an impairment(s) that functionally equals the listings under our rules for evaluating disability in children.
| Consider the Following on the CDE or SSA-538: |
|---|
| Acquiring and Using Information | A child with SCD may have limitations due to a stroke, including silent stroke that impairs a child's ability to learn, concentrate, speak, and remember. |
| Attending and Completing Tasks | Frequent pain crises can result in limitations in attending and completing tasks at school and at home. If a child does not feel well due to pain, it may be difficult for him or her to stay focused on activities long enough to complete them in an age-appropriate manner at home and in school. He or she may also have difficulty paying attention to details and may make mistakes on schoolwork due to an inability to concentrate. |
| Interacting and Relating with Others | The unpredictable nature of pain in SCD may cause anxiety and difficulty maintaining relationships. Children may become withdrawn, uncooperative, or unresponsive. |
| Moving About and Manipulating Objects | Sickling in the hips, knees, and ankles due to SCD may cause joint pain and problems with walking, running, and climbing stairs. |
| Caring for Self | A child with SCD may avoid taking medication or ignore complications of the disease out of frustration with the limitations of SCD. |
| Health and Physical Well-Being | SSA evaluates the effects of periodic exacerbations of pain crises due to sickle cell anemia. SSA considers the frequency and duration of the exacerbations as well as the extent to which they affect a child's ability to function physically. |
Disability Advice Is Here to Help
Navigating the SSDI process for sickle cell disease can be challenging, especially given the complexities of medical evaluations, functional limitations, and SSA’s eligibility criteria. Whether you are applying for the first time, facing a denial, or need help demonstrating the severity of your condition, Disability Advice is here to guide you every step of the way.
Our team understands the unique challenges sickle cell disease presents, including frequent pain crises, organ damage, and the unpredictable nature of symptoms. We can help you gather the necessary medical evidence, document your limitations, and strengthen your claim to improve your chances of approval. If your claim has already been denied, we provide expert assistance in appealing SSA’s decision, ensuring your case is presented as strongly as possible.
If you need support in securing the disability benefits you deserve, contact Disability Advice today to get started on your claim.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“I was very pleased and impressed by the advocate. I feel that my chances of receiving my disability benefits are more likely to come in a timely manner.”
Danny C.
Fill in the form below and let us know how we can help you!
"*" indicates required fields
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very thorough with answering all of my questions and making sure all my information was correct. He was very patient, kind, and was very helpful. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify, and he checked and took all of my information. The process was made very easy, thank you so much for your help.”
Patrice I.