Many people in Houston know someone who has diabetes. It is a common blood disease, and according to data from the American Diabetes Association, more than nine percent of Americans had diabetes as of 2012. In addition, every year, doctors diagnose roughly 1.4 million Americans as having diabetes.
Diabetes comes in two forms, Type 1 and Type 2, with Type 2 being much more prevalent. In fact, only about five percent of people with diabetes have Type 1. With this form of the disease, a person’s body does not produce insulin. This is a problem because people need insulin to get glucose from sugars and starches into their body’s cells. With Type 2 diabetes, a person’s glucose levels rise faster than normal because their body does not properly use the insulin that it produces.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which people are born with, Type 2 diabetes develops over time, and is most prevalent among middle-aged and older adults. Regardless of which type of the disease affecting a person, diabetes can cause many health problems. Although a person can effectively manage their diabetes throughout life, sometimes it can cause health issues that leave an individual unable to handle their normal daily tasks.
Under federal law, diabetes is classified as a disability, and people with the disease have certain legal protections. Furthermore, either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can cause a person to have severe enough health problems that they are unable to work a regular job. If this is the case, the person may qualify for Social Security disability benefits to help with medical expenses and monthly living costs.
While some people with diabetes can get SSD benefits for illness, not every case will be severe enough to qualify for benefits. Thus, residents in the Houston area who have diabetes and are having trouble obtaining or maintaining a job should research whether they might be able to qualify for SSD. An experienced Social Security attorney can help people in this situation with their questions and represent them as they seek out the compensation they need.
Source: American Diabetes Association, “Is Diabetes a Disability?” accessed on Sep. 23, 2016