Is Ulcerative Colitis a Disability?

Is ulcerative colitis causing you such severe issues that you wonder if disability benefits are an option? It’s a possibility.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition that entails inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectum. UC affects the innermost lining of the colon, or large intestine, and rectum.

Symptoms of UC may develop over time. Like any other IBD, UC can have severe symptoms. Some of these severe symptoms of UC include:

• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent diarrhea
• Unintentional weight loss
• Urgent bowel movements

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Can you work if you have ulcerative colitis?

You can work with UC, requesting accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These accommodations may include:

• Extra breaks or rest periods
• Flexible work hours (for medical appointments or to address symptoms)
• Having a desk or workspace closer to a restroom
• Paid or unpaid leave for hospital treatments
• Working from home (for more severe symptoms)

In addition, you might be eligible to receive disability benefits as you continue working.

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Does ulcerative colitis qualify for disability?

The listed UC symptoms can impact your quality of life, ability to work, and how you carry out everyday tasks. 

According to the ADA, a person qualifies as having a disability if they have

 significant limitations in carrying out major life activities, including working and carrying out manual tasks.

With UC, the following can make you eligible for disability benefits:

Narrowing or obstruction of the passageway in the small or large intestine resulting in the following:

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• Hospitalization for surgery or decompression
• Occurrence twice within six months (minimally) with at least 60 days between each occurrence
• Prescription treatment with two of the following within a six-month period
• Anemia
• Disease affecting the area between the anus and genitals
• Minimum of 10% involuntary weight loss from baseline weight
• Needed daily supplemental nutrition through a gastronomy or central venous catheter
• Serum albumin
• Tender abdominal mass

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There are various disability benefits for you to consider, including Medicaid or Medicare, parking permits, and tax credits.

Government disability benefits, such as Social Security Income program or the Social Security Disability Insurance program, are options if you meet social security requirements upon having a disability evaluation and applying for social security.

Long-term disability insurance through your employer may be an option if UC is causing you to miss work and not work for an extended period.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may be another option that offers protection and unpaid leave from work.

To receive these disability benefits, proof will be required and may vary depending on the type of disability benefit that you consider. Examples of proof may be medical documents (such as imaging or findings from a biopsy, endoscopy, or operation).