Disability Attorney For Diabetes Type 1

One of the challenges of qualifying for Type 1 diabetes disability benefits through the Social Security Administration comes from having to document that you cannot work because of the condition. By managing your blood sugar level, type 1 diabetes may not prevent you from doing regular daily activities, including working and earning a living.

However, other related conditions may develop, such as nerve damage, impaired vision, cardiovascular disorders, and kidney failure in someone with type 1 diabetes. The medical conditions related to diabetes could be severe enough to prevent a person from working, but getting through the evaluation process to be approved for benefits is not easy without the assistance of a type 1 diabetes disability attorney at GCC Law Firm.

Only 38% of applications filed last year for disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs were approved during the initial review process. Almost 16% of the applicants had their claims approved in the first stage of the appeal process. Our disability attorneys provide guidance and representation throughout the type 1 diabetes disability claim process, from application through appeals, to get you the benefits you need.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that prevents your pancreas from producing sufficient quantities of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the level of glucose or sugar in the blood. Excessive amounts of glucose in the blood, known as hyperglycemia, prevent the body from processing the food you consume for energy.

If left untreated, type 1 diabetes contributes to the development of health issues, including:

• Heart disease.
• Eye disorders, including diabetes-related retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.
• High blood pressure.
• Kidney disease

Although a cure does not currently exist, it can be controlled by monitoring glucose levels and daily doses of synthetic insulin.

To qualify for type 1 diabetes disability benefits, you must be disabled. Claims for disability benefits through SSDI and SSI define “disability” as the inability to do substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. The impairment or impairments must be expected to result in death or must last or be expected to last for a continuous period of at least one year.

If you have type 1 diabetes that is well managed and controlled, it may not prevent you from working. However, you may qualify for disability benefits with another medical condition or conditions caused by diabetes that are severe enough to affect your ability to work as required by the standard used by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Disability Benefits Through SSI And SSDI For Type 1 Diabetes

The SSDI and SSI programs use the federal definition of disability to evaluate claims, but they have different non-medical requirements for eligibility. SSDI requires a work history at jobs or through self-employment and payment of Social Security taxes on your income. Your work history needs to be for a long enough time and recently enough to be eligible for the program. This is determined through work credits.

Every $1,810 in earnings in 2025 counts as one work credit, and you can earn up to four credits each year. The earnings per credit amount can change yearly depending on conditions in the national economy. The total number of credits required for eligibility for SSDI benefits depends on your age when you become disabled and unable to work. Younger workers generally need fewer credits.

SSI eligibility relies on financial need and not work history. You need limited or no income and resources valued at $2,000 or less for individuals and $3,000 or less for couples for SSI eligibility.

Learn how a disability attorney at GCC Law can make a difference in the outcome of your type 1 diabetes disability claim during a free consultation. From the application through the appeal process, we fight for you.