Those who suffer from diabetes know all too well how debilitating this disease can be. This disease can attack several vital areas of your body, impacting your day-to-day quality of life as well as your ability to work at your job and make a living. If your diabetes symptoms have gotten so severe that working is now out of the question, you may be hoping to get coverage from Social Security disability. Read on to learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) views this medical condition and how to get approved for benefits.

Coverage Isn't in the Blue Book

You should understand that the SSA has changed the way they cover diabetes. You can no longer find the medical condition "diabetes" listed in the so-called Social Security blue book. This blue book is a list all covered diseases and medical conditions, and if your disease is not listed you cannot get monthly benefits when you are no longer able to work at your job. There is, however, still a way that you might be able to get coverage for you disability.

Related Conditions

As mentioned above, diabetes does not simply affect one body function, but many. There are many different diabetes-related medical disorders that may be affecting you, and there is a good chance that one or more of those related conditions may appear on the blue book listing. Here are but a few medical conditions that could be affecting you that could qualify you for SSA benefits:

• Diabetic retinopathy: vision loss in one or both eyes
• Cardiovascular diseases: heart problems
• Kidney disease: sometimes causing the need for dialysis
• Amputation of limbs or digits
• Neuropathy: numbness, tingling and loss of use of an extremity

Provide Proof

Just suffering from diabetes disorders and telling the SSA about it is not enough; you will need to show proof of your illness. You will need to show that you have received medical treatment for your condition, that you have followed any medical advice and that you are continually staying up-to-date on your medical appointments. Your condition must be bad enough to prevent you from doing your job, and you may be asked to submit medical records to prove it. The SSA provides forms to be taken to your doctor to fill out, which must be submitted to the SSA with your application.

If you get turned down on your application, it is important that you do not give up trying. You are entitled to an appeal hearing, but you must not wait too long to request it. Speak to a disability attorney as soon as you get your denial letter and get the benefits you need and deserve.