Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can be severely disabling. Here's what you need to know about qualifying for disability benefits with Crohn's.
In this article, we'll cover:
- When Crohn's qualifies
- SSA's IBD listing
- Evidence needed
- Tips for approval
1. When Crohn's Qualifies
Crohn's can qualify when:
- Symptoms are severe
- Despite treatment
- Significantly limits function
- Prevents substantial work
Disabling symptoms:
- Frequent flares
- Severe pain
- Uncontrollable diarrhea
- Malnutrition
- Fatigue
- Fistulas/abscesses
- Need for bathroom access
When it typically qualifies:
- Severe, uncontrolled disease
- Multiple hospitalizations
- Surgical complications
- Malnutrition despite treatment
- Inability to work consistently
2. SSA's IBD Listing
Listing 5.06 - Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Requires:
- Obstruction of stenotic areas requiring hospitalization at least twice in 6 months (60 days apart), OR
- Two complications requiring hospitalization within 6 months
Complications include:
- Anemia
- Malnutrition with BMI < 17.5
- Abdominal mass with pain
- Perineal disease with draining abscess or fistula
- Arthritis
- Iritis
- Erythema nodosum
- Pyoderma gangrenosum
If you don't meet the listing:
- Evaluated through RFC
- What work can you do?
- What are your limitations?
- Combined with other conditions
Important: Even without hospitalizations, severe Crohn's may qualify based on functional limitations.
3. Evidence Needed
Medical records:
- Gastroenterologist records
- Colonoscopy/endoscopy reports
- Imaging results
- Lab work
- Hospital records
Documentation of severity:
- Frequency of flares
- Duration of symptoms
- Response to treatment
- Medications tried
Hospitalizations:
- Dates and duration
- Reason for admission
- Treatment provided
- Complications addressed
Functional limitations:
- Bathroom frequency
- Time spent in bathroom
- Ability to leave home
- Fatigue levels
- Pain severity
Lab work:
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
- Anemia indicators
- Nutritional status
- Vitamin deficiencies
Doctor's statement:
- Diagnosis and severity
- Treatment history
- Functional limitations
- Work restrictions
- Prognosis
4. Tips for Approval
Document bathroom needs:
- How often you need bathroom
- How long you spend there
- Urgency issues
- Accidents and near-misses
Track flares:
- Frequency
- Duration
- Severity
- What triggers them
Record missed activities:
- Work absences
- Social events missed
- Daily activities affected
- Unpredictability
Show treatment failure:
- Medications tried
- Why they didn't work
- Side effects experienced
- Ongoing symptoms despite treatment
Include all complications:
- Anemia
- Joint problems
- Eye issues
- Skin manifestations
- Fatigue
Explain work impact:
- Why you can't maintain schedule
- Need for bathroom access
- Unpredictable symptoms
- Fatigue affecting concentration
Common Challenges
"Periods of remission":
- Remission doesn't mean cured
- Flares are unpredictable
- Can't commit to work schedule
- Document the pattern
Invisible illness:
- People may not see your symptoms
- Internal suffering
- Document thoroughly
- Doctor statements help
Medication side effects:
- Some treatments cause problems
- Immunosuppression risks
- Side effects can be disabling
- Document all effects
Related Conditions
May also have:
- Arthritis
- Anemia
- Depression/anxiety
- Malnutrition
- Fatigue
- Document all conditions
How Purple Helps
Purple supports those with IBD:
- Simple, stress-free banking
- Track benefit deposits
- Manage finances easily
- Less physical and mental stress
- Banking from home