Is colitis a disability? Those are the strange things that you ponder as you are curled up in bed sick. Fine, I’ll come clean. That was 2:00 am last week as I lay in bed curled up in the fetal position wondering if my stomach was going to allow me an extra couple hours of sleep or if this was my wake up alarm for the day. As I sat in bed trying to distract myself by scrolling through emails, an email popped up with an advertisement for a free national parks pass if you had a disability.
Is Colitis a Disability?
Colitis Disability Qualifications:
United States
To first find out what impairments are considered to be a disability, you’ll want to consult the Social Security Listing of Impairments (United States). https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
Under section 5.00 you’ll see a list of qualifying digestive system impairments.
Section 5.06 lists inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as being a disability and:
- It must be diagnosed through an endoscopy, biopsy or imaging
- There must be a couple of different criteria met on top of the diagnosis
Section 5.08 lists Weight loss due to any digestive disorder as a disability and:
- Weight loss must be contining despite continuing treatment as prescribed
- BMI of less that 17.50 on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart within a 6 month period.
United Kingdom
- In the United Kingdom you may quality for Personal Independence Payment for colitis.
Qualifying conditions may include:
- Microscopic colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ulcerative colitis
**Do you live outside the United States? If you would like me to link to your specific countries information on colitis being a disability, please feel free to send me the link and I’ll add it!
Types of Colitis Considered a Disability
Typically the types of colitis that might be eligible for disability may include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Would I Qualify for Disability?
This is something I am NOT qualified to answer. I would definitely direct you to your doctor first or to foundations like the Chrohn’s and Colitis Foundation. You may even be able to find a disability lawyer that can answer those questions for you. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical care or the advice of your medical team.
What If I Don't Qualify for Disability?
It’s so frustrating when you need help and don’t qualify for it. If you don’t qualify for disability under the colitis diagnosis, you may qualify for accomodations. In the United States, the American Disabilities Act qualifies a disability as change or inability to perform “major life activities.”
Under this act you might qualify for helps in the workplace like change in scheduling, frequent bathroom breaks, etc. It might require a diagnosis of a disabilty, or just a diagnosis. I would consider reaching out to your medical doctor, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation or even a disability lawyer for more information.
What Other Benefits Can I Receive?
In some countries and here in the United States if your colitis causes you to have to reduce income or even not work, you may qualify for a variety of different helps including:
- Food
- Rent or house payment assistance
- Utility assistance
Local agencies are available to help you navigate the process of filling out any required paperwork and applications.
**This article was for informational purposes only and not to replace medical care.
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