Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that have adapted to have an unnatural, rigid, sickle-like shape, resulting in numerous medical complications. As recent as the 1990’s, this disease would have shortened life expectancy substantially.  However, due to recent medical advances, people with sickle cell anemia can now live to be seventy years of age and beyond. Sickle cell anemia is considered a disability by the Social Security Administration under the listing 7.05 (ssa.gov) and benefits may be obtained if the patient is diagnosed with sickle cell anemia and displays one of the following symptoms:

A. Documented painful (thrombotic) crises occurring at least three times during the 5 months prior to adjudication; or

B. Requiring extended hospitalization (beyond emergency care) at least three times during the 12 months prior to adjudication; or

C. Chronic, severe anemia with persistence of hematocrit of 26 percent or less; or

D. Evaluate the resulting impairment under the criteria for the affected body system.

Sickle cell anemia is expected that 1 in every 500 African Americans born carries it. If you have sickle cell anemia and need social security disability benefits, Tallahassee disability attorney Matt Liebenhaut serves North Florida and South Georgia and may be able to help.  We will do all we can to speed up the social security disability process.  Click above for a free evaluation.