2.4 Asthma

Including: Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis

In order to be granted Social Security Disability or SSI benefits, the Asthma must be affecting the claimant to the point that he or she would not be able to do any kind of work. Consider if there are any jobs that this person could reasonably take on without needing additional help or special treatment from the employer. Medical treatment, especially from a psychologist or psychiatrist will be almost essential to any Asthma claim for Social Security disability benefits or SSI.

When a disability claim for Asthma is reviewed, Social Security will want to know if there are asthma attacks at least once every 2 months or six times per year requiring physician intervention. An inpatient stay of 24 hours or more would count as 2 attacks. An evaluation period of at least 12 months is needed. The frequency and intensity of attacks that occur even while receiving treatment will be a deciding factor.

As with any disability, your chances of being granted increase if you have consistent medical records of your condition. If you have not seen any doctors within a few months of your application, you may be sent to a doctor who will evaluate your condition. It is best to have your own doctor.

If you are not sure whether or not your claim would qualify for benefits, give us a call. It is always best to get an application in if you are unsure. Some people wait so long that they lose their eligibility for Social Security, and many lose months of benefits for waiting to apply.

The medical listings that describe the criteria for Asthma are; 3.03 Asthma – Adult.