Being diagnosed with a serious digestive disease does not guarantee approval for disability benefits (with the exception of liver transplants). Social Security will grant automatic disability for some disorders (such as gastrointestinal hemorrhaging, chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), short bowel syndrome, and severe weight loss) that meet the agency's listing criteria. But applicants with other digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease, have to show that the limitations these disorders impose on their functioning prevents them from doing even sedentary work.
Disability Benefits for Digestive System Diseases
If you have severe liver disease or bowel syndrome, or another digestive illness that causes gastrointestinal hemorrhaging or weight loss, you may be able to get disability benefits.
Getting Disability Benefits for Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease causes inflammation deep in the layers of the intestinal wall and throughout the gastrointestinal track.
Getting Disability Benefits for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is a disorder in which you are unable to eat foods containing gluten. Gluten can be found in wheat products, spelt, rye, and barley.
Can I Get Disability Benefits for Hepatitis B?
Most (but not all) people with Hepatitis B are able to recover without having functional limitations, and thus aren't eligible for disability benefits.
Can I Get Disability for Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that is contracted by exposure to infected blood.
Getting Disability for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease of the intestines that causes abdominal pain and bloating, cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea and mucus in the stool.
Disability Benefits for Liver Disease Caused by Alcoholic Cirrohsis
If you can't work because of irreversible damage caused by alcoholic cirrhosis (also called alcoholic liver disease), you may be able to get disability benefits.
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability
Nolo's disability book, written by a former chief medical consultant for Social Security, explains how Social Security assesses digestive impairments.