How to Qualify for Disability Benefits with Obesity
Obesity isn’t listed as a qualifying impairment in the SSA’s “Blue Book” of medical conditions recognized for disability benefits.
But it can worsen or be involved in other health problems that do qualify, such as the following conditions. This is a short list. Many other impairments apply.
- Anxiety
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Joint disorders including osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Depression
- Respiratory problems
- Mobility issues
When your health problems don’t match a listed disability, the SSA also uses a tool called your residual functional capacity (RFC) to evaluate what you can still do physically and mentally in a work setting.
Your RFC includes factors like:
- How long you can sit, stand, and walk
- How much weight you can lift
- How easily you can focus and follow directions
- How often you need breaks or rest
- How your health affects your ability to show up regularly for work
If your obesity and related conditions limit you enough that no employer would reasonably expect you to hold a full-time job, you may qualify for disability benefits based on your RFC.
Talk to the Oregon disability attorneys at Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor for a free consultation on your options for disability benefits.
Ways You Can Get Social Security Disability with Obesity
So, these are approaches you can take to build a strong claim for disability benefits with obesity as part of your case:
1. Meeting a Listing for a Recognized Condition
If you have a health problem that’s already on Social Security’s list of qualifying impairments—such as diabetes or heart disease—obesity can strengthen your claim when it contributes to the severity of your condition and inability to work.
2. Combining Multiple Health Conditions
You can combine obesity with other physical or mental health conditions to show that the total impact of your impairments prevents you from working.
Even if each condition alone wouldn’t be enough, the SSA considers the accumulated effects of multiple impairments in determining disability.
3. Proving You Can’t Meet Basic Work Demands
No matter what diagnoses you have, you can qualify for disability benefits by showing that you’re unable to perform the fundamental day-to-day tasks of a job, as shown by your residual functional capacity (RFC).
Conditions on official lists and not on official lists impact your RFC.
Obesity can make everyday life harder, and it can complicate serious medical problems that prevent you from working. But proving this to Social Security isn’t easy. Most people get denied when they first apply.
When your health and financial future are on the line, you need someone you can trust.
The Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller & Taylor Social Security Disability lawyers treat every client with dignity, personal attention, and compassion. You’ll work directly with an experienced disability attorney, not just staff, from start to finish, when you work with us.
You pay no attorney fee until we win your case.
We’re with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you’re trying to determine if you’re qualified for disability benefits, you need help filing your application, or you received a denial notice and want another chance, our law firm helps from the beginning and stays by your side.
Have a Question about Disability Benefits?
Your health is bad. You can’t work. Your financial stability is threatened. So your head is swimming with questions. How will you get by? How does Social Security Disability work? We’ve gathered answers. See them here:
Disability FAQs »
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