Living with diabetes is like having a second job that you never get a break from. You are constantly checking your blood sugar levels, taking insulin, watching what you eat and worrying about your health. If you are struggling to keep up with work because of your diabetes, you might be asking: “Can I get help?”
The rules for disability benefits can be very consuming. They tend to use complex legal terminology and stringent medical guidelines. Even though millions of Americans have diabetes (according to the American Diabetes Association, in 2021, 38.4 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, had diabetes), only some of them qualify for financial support from the government.
Quick answer
Ultimately, whether you can get disability for diabetes depends on which rules you are looking at. According to Healthcare Policy Analyst Anne Kamwila, “Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) is always considered a disability. This law protects you from being mistreated at work and gives you the right to ask for help to do your job.”
However, obtaining Social Security Disability (monthly cash payments) is much more challenging. You usually cannot get paid just because you have diabetes. To qualify, you must prove that the complications and health problems caused by diabetes are so bad that you cannot do any work for at least 12 months.
How diabetes impacts life
Diabetes affects the whole body. While many people live everyday lives with it, others get very sick over time. High blood sugar can damage your organs and impair your ability to function, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, when your blood sugar remains high for an extended period, it can damage your nerves. This is called peripheral neuropathy, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. It often feels like burning, tingling or total numbness in your hands and feet. If you have a job that requires you to stand all day, such as being a cashier, or use your hands frequently, like typing, this pain can make it impossible to work.
This condition can also lead to eye problems. High blood sugar can hurt the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This is known as diabetic retinopathy, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition can cause blurry vision or even lead to blindness. If you cannot see clearly, driving to work or reading a computer screen becomes dangerous. There are great treatments for diabetic retinopathy available. However, it is essential to undergo regular eye examinations so that your doctor can offer you these treatments as soon as you may need them.
Another challenge is extreme tiredness. One of the most significant problems is feeling fatigued all the time. Mayo Clinic notes that extreme tiredness results from your body’s inability to use insulin effectively, so glucose does not enter your cells for energy.
Official guidelines (ADA/SSA)
It is essential to note that there are two distinct government groups with different rules.
The ADA
This law defines a disability as anything that limits a significant life activity. Since your body’s ability to process food is an important life activity, diabetes counts. The goal is to help you keep your job. For the rule, you must be able to perform the main parts of your job, possibly with some assistance.
The SSA
This is a group that pays disability checks. They used to have a specific rule for diabetes, but it was removed in 2011. Now, they do not look at the disease name; they look at the damage.
The goal of SSA is to provide you with financial assistance when you are too sick to work at all. However, for this to happen, you must qualify according to its set rules. You must prove your diabetes has broken other parts of your body. The SSA will check on your vision, kidney condition, nerve and heart problems.
How to qualify/apply
Having diabetes itself does not guarantee approval. Obtaining disability payments can be challenging. You have to build a strong case to prove you are sick and that the condition significantly impacts your daily life. First, there has to be medical evidence. You need proof from healthcare professionals. You need at least 12 months of records showing that you go to the doctor and you take your medication, but you are still sick. Finally, test results and a well-written record of your blood sugar levels are necessary.
Next, you will have to fill out a form called a “Residual Functional Capacity” form. This is where you explain why you cannot work. You can apply online at the Social Security website, by phone or in person. Be ready for them to say no at first. Most people get denied the first time. You may need to hire a lawyer to help you pursue it.
What benefits are a diabetic entitled to?
When you need financial support, there are two main paths to explore. SSDI helps if you have a work history, and it eventually provides Medicare coverage. SSI is for individuals with very low incomes, typically including Medicaid coverage from the start. Both programs offer vital money and health coverage.
You also have rights at work under the ADA law. You can ask your boss for helpful changes to manage your health safely. This could mean taking extra breaks, keeping snacks nearby, sitting while working or having a private space to take your medicine. If you are seeking help, email your Human Resources (HR) department. If you ever have to apply for disability later, these emails prove that you tried to work but could not. This is robust evidence.
What jobs can’t you do with diabetes?
Most jobs are open to you, but “safety-sensitive” roles are different. If you suffer from low blood sugar and pass out in these jobs, it could cause a bad accident. Because of this risk, employers have special rules to keep everyone safe while you work.
Some careers have specific restrictions. The military usually does not allow people with diabetes to join. However, truck drivers and pilots can sometimes work if they meet stringent health rules. Operating heavy machinery might be limited if you have a history of fainting.
Do I have to tell my job I have diabetes?
You typically do not need to disclose your diabetes to your boss or interviewer. Your health is your private business. However, there are a few essential times when being open is the right choice to keep you safe and supported while on the job. You should inform them if you require any specific adjustments, such as additional breaks due to health reasons. It is also wise to warn a coworker about emergencies. Lastly, always mention your medications during a drug test so the results come back accurately and clearly.
Bottom line
Diabetes is a legal disability, giving you rights to fair treatment at work. However, receiving monthly government checks is actually quite challenging. Just having diabetes is not enough. You must prove that you are entirely unable to perform any job to qualify.
You need to show that diabetes has caused severe, permanent damage to your body, like your eyes or nerves. If you are struggling, you should start saving every single doctor’s note today. Having all your paperwork ready is the key to getting approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you claim disability for type 2 diabetes?
Yes, but the diagnosis alone is not enough; you must prove that complications like nerve damage or heart disease stop you from working.
Can I take time off work for diabetes?
Yes, under a law called the FMLA, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to take care of serious health issues.
How long does it take to reverse type 2 diabetes?
Some people can reverse it in a few months with diet and weight loss, but for others, it is a lifelong condition that takes years to manage.
Citations
American Diabetes Association. Statistics about diabetes. diabetes.org. Published 2023. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes
Griffin JW. Employment Rights of People with Diabetes: Changing Technology and Changing Law. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2013;7(2):345-349. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/193229681300700209
Cleveland Clinic. Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic. Published February 17, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes
Mayo Clinic. Peripheral neuropathy. Mayo Clinic. Published September 2, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352061
Cai CX. Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know. www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Published 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes-and-your-eyes-what-you-need-to-know
Mayo Clinic. Diabetic Retinopathy – Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611
Mayo Clinic Staff. Diabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern. Mayo Clinic. Published 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-symptoms/art-20044248