Michigan residents with kidney disease may have a myriad of health concerns and substantial medical expenses due to their conditions. Kidney disease can cause significant pain and suffering over a long period of time. Fortunately, SSD benefits may be available for those Michiganders with qualifying kidney-related disorders.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates certain genitourinary disorders, which are those conditions that affect a person’s genital and urinary organs, in terms of whether they result in chronic kidney disease. Some of the common genitourinary disorders include diabetic nephropathy, chronic obstructive uropathy, hypertensive nephropathy and chronic glomerulonephritis. These disorders often rise to the level that they will prevent a Michigander from being able to perform gainful activity, and, therefore, a person may be eligible for SSD benefits. A person who does not have one of these conditions may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits for illness, however, if his or her condition meets the requirements for disability under the SSA’s listings for another body system.
To determine whether a person has chronic kidney disease such that he or she will qualify for disability benefits, the SSA requires documentation of the disease’s symptoms, signs and laboratory findings, including evidence of a person’s response to treatment, as well as treatment records and reports of clinical examinations.
A person whose chronic kidney disease necessitates a kidney transplant will be considered disabled for one year following the date of the kidney transplant. After the one-year period, a person may still qualify for disability benefits depending on his or her complications, potential rejection episodes and overall post-transplant function. A person who is suffering from kidney disease or other genitourinary disorder may wish to consider consulting an attorney for guidance regarding the availability of disability benefits.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Genitourinary Disorders – Adult,” accessed March 11, 2016
