Ulcerative Colitis: A Disability?

Although inflammatory bowel disease can disrupt a person's standard of living it is not considered to be a disability. Some common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, loss of nutrients, joint pain, anemia and fatigue. These symptoms can withhold a person from having a normal daily routine, get in the way of their ability to obtain employment, and prevent them from maintaining good attendance at work.

While having an inflammatory bowel disease is not regarded as having a disability it does qualify some individuals to obtain social security and disability benefits. This is due to the fact that ulcerative colitis is considered to be a chronic illness. Having a chronic illness means that symptoms will be persistent and can recur at any time without warning. This can have a substantial effect on a person's financial situation.

The United States House of Representative and Congress have defined 'disabled' as:
"the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of no less than twelve months."

Many patients with ulcerative colitis will not pursue attaining any sort of government benefits because they do not want to be labeled as "disabled." These people are generally those whose disease doesn't drastically affect their lives. Others with moderate to severe colitis may have more complications, require more hospital stays and have to endure more surgeries. These people are forced to get financial aid. Determining if you are eligible for benefits will depend on the severity of your disease and whether you are able to work a full- or part-time job. Those who do qualify for government benefits must provide valid documentation from their physicians showing their diagnosis, treatments they've undergone, medications they are currently taking and what aspects of their disease hinders them from working a regular job.

Anyone over 18 years of age is required to submit an application for Social Security benefits and an Adult Disability report. All of these documents can be obtained at the Department of Workforce Services or online at the Social Security Administration's website. Any submissions that are denied can also be appealed through this website. Additional information you may need to provide might include a birth certificate, names of clinics and hospitals you were admitted to, names of all of your current medications and their dosages, your employment history and your most recent W-2 form or your federal tax return for the previous year.

Sources:

Social Security Administration

Department of Workforce Services

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

United States House of Representatives & Congress