Social Security Benefits for Sickle Cell Anemia

If sickle cell anemia has left you unable to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to the patient diagnosed with sickle cell anemia and certain dependents in his or her family if he or she has worked enough to earn enough credits to pay in the required amount of taxes to Social Security. In order to receive SSDI, the claimant’s condition must be severe enough to render him or her completely disabled. Sickle cell anemia is most commonly diagnosed blood disorder in the United States, according to bethematch.org. One out of every 500 African Americans and one out of every 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic Americans are diagnosed with the disorder, according to the site that seeks donor matches to help treat the disease. Only those considered permanently disabled, which means unable to work for a year or longer, are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. During the process of applying for benefits, the Social Security Administration collects an extensive amount of information about the claimant and his or her condition. Medical records must be received so the disability determination staff can determine if the individual does meet the requirements to be declared disabled. Abstract source