Does IBS Qualify for Disability? Can You Get Disability for IBD?

Important: We updated this article in December 2024 after reviewing current SSA data and policy. Understanding the differences between irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease can be confusing. So: Does IBS qualify for disability? Is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) a disability that can get you benefits? Both conditions can affect your daily life, but only one is likely to get you Social Security disability payments. The Social Security Administration lists IBD in its Blue Book of medical conditions eligible for SSD benefits. However, your medical diagnosis alone isn’t enough to make you eligible for Social Security disability payments. Keep reading for a breakdown to understand your chances with either IBS, IBD, or some related gastrointestinal disorders.

Does IBS or IBD Qualify for Disability Benefits: Key Takeaways

• Inflammatory bowel disease can cause chronic inflammation of the intestines and keep you from working full time. Symptoms include frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and cramping.
• Irritable bowel syndrome, while inconvenient and often painful, doesn’t cause inflammation or a higher risk for colon cancer. As such, IBS does not appear in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book of disabling conditions. The only way you can get disability for IBS is if you have severe symptoms and other qualifying medical conditions.
• There are several diseases that fall under the IBD category, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer. Each can qualify for disability only if they prevent you from working for at least 12 months.
• Veterans with at least a 10% VA rating may also qualify for disability benefits.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

IBS – or irritable bowel syndrome – is a syndrome, which means it’s a group of symptoms rather than a diagnosed disease.

Common IBS symptoms can include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gassiness
• Abdominal bloating and/or distention
• Nausea
• The sensation of needing to move your bowels without being able to do so

You must feel discomfort or pain for at least 12 weeks during the past 12 months to receive an IBS diagnosis. However, those do not need to be 12 consistent weeks in a row. 

IBS can become an important factor in the appeals process if the Social Security Administration denies you disability benefits. That’s because IBS significantly impacts your residual functional capacity (RFC), or your ability to work. It impacts your work day because you may need to constantly have close access to a bathroom, and the pain that can accompany IBS.

Does IBS Qualify for Disability Benefits?

IBS isn’t in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book of eligible disabilities. But that doesn’t mean you cannot qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you have it. This is what the SSA will look for when reviewing your disability benefits application:

• Are your symptoms severe enough to qualify for disability for IBS, or equal to another qualifying condition?
• Do you have other medical issues that are eligible for monthly benefits?
• Can you meet all the technical eligibility requirements (i.e., enough and recent work history, not receiving any other Social Security benefits)?
• If you haven’t worked recently, do you have little income and few or no financial resources as required for SSI?

If so, then you may still be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.  

Showing How Symptoms of IBS Limit Your Ability to Work

It’s important to remember that it’s not the disease or syndrome you have that qualifies you for disability benefits. It’s your inability to work because of a disease or syndrome – or its treatments – that qualifies you for disability.

Step 1: Prove your IBS is severe enough to count as a serious medical issue that doesn’t improve with treatment.

Step 2: Prove your IBS, its symptoms, or your treatments makes you unable to work for at least one year.

A recent study found people with IBS lose almost one day of work out of five due to their symptoms. Losing 20% of your work productivity time to a medical condition is something you should mention in your disability application. However, only mention that if it’s true for your specific IBS symptoms and current work experience.

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Unlike irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the Social Security Administration classifies inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a disease. In fact, IBD is a group of diseases that affect the intestines, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD can lead to inflammation and chronic harm to the intestines if you don’t receive proper treatment. Experts estimate that between 2.4 and 3.1 million people in the United States suffer from IBD. Non-Hispanic whites report consistently higher IBD rates in the United States, and it’s most common in people 45 and older.

Does IBD Qualify for Disability Benefits?  

IBD is listed in the SSA Blue Book under Digestive Disorders. This means IBD qualifies for disability benefits if you:

• CAN meet the Blue Book criteria, and
• CANNOT work for 12 months in a row.

To qualify for disability benefits for IBD, your medical documentation must show:

• Obstruction of stenotic areas (not adhesions) in the small intestine or colon with proximal dilation, and
• You required hospitalization for that obstruction either for intestinal decompression or surgery and
• The hospitalization occurred on at least two occasions at least 60 days apart within a consecutive 6-month period.

            OR

 Two of the following within the same consecutive 6-month period:

1. Anemia with hemoglobin of less than 10.0 g/dL. The anemia must be present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
2. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL or less. The serum albumin must be present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
3. Clinically documented tender abdominal mass palpable on physical examination. The mass must be associated with abdominal pain or cramping that is not controlled by narcotic medication. The mass must be present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
4. Perineal disease with a draining abscess or fistula. The pain must not be completely controlled by prescribed narcotic medication. It must also be present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart; or
5. Involuntary weight loss totaling at least 10% from baseline (present on at least two evaluations at least 60 days apart); or
6. Need for supplemental daily enteral nutrition via a gastrostomy. Or you needed daily parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter.

Related Conditions and Other Digestive Disorders That May Help You Qualify for Disability for IBS

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s is a disease in which your entire gastrointestinal tract is chronically inflamed. While it is often painful, and almost always unpleasant, no one test can prove you have Crohn’s disease.

Because Crohn’s Disease stems from an autoimmune system overreaction, you might also have issues with your eyes, skin, and joints. Having multiple issues might make it difficult to hold down a job, which increases your chances of qualifying for disability. 

Like all other conditions, the SSA lists specific medical requirements in its Blue Book for Crohn’s disease. If you cannot meet those specific conditions, severe weight loss due to Crohn’s might also help you qualify for disability.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is yet another disease that falls under the umbrella of IBD. UC is a condition in which inflammation and ulcers occur on the inner lining of your large intestine. Ulcerative colitis is most common in people aged 15-30 years old. Medical experts still haven’t determined what causes ulcerative colitis.

Doctors can sometimes treat this disease with medication, but more severe cases might require surgery. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can include:

• Passing blood via your stool
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

The SSA evaluates ulcerative colitis claims for disability benefits under the IBD Blue Book listing and criteria.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the fourth most-common cancer in the United States. It affects people of all ages and races but is most common among people at least 50 years old. Colon cancer survivors have a 56% higher risk of loss of employment. Being unable to work because of a disease is the first step in qualifying for disability benefits.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition that causes severe discomfort and flu-like illness after ingesting gluten. Symptoms include diarrhea, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia, and osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, celiac disease does not specifically appear as a medical condition in the SSA Blue Book. Since the most severe celiac symptoms occur only after eating gluten, it’s likely that the SSA will deny your disability application. This is because if you don’t eat gluten, you no longer suffer those symptoms. However, if you suffer symptoms related to celiac (such as extreme weight loss), that could help you qualify for benefits.

What’s the Difference Between IBS and IBD?

IBS and IBD vary in distinct ways.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not classified as a disease. It does not cause inflammation, and having IBS does not increase your chance of developing either colon cancer or IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a category of digestive diseases that cause inflammation and permanent harm to your intestines. Unlike IBS, doctors can diagnose your IBD via diagnostic imaging. Worse, IBD also conveys an increased risk for colon cancer.

While unpleasant and sometimes painful, bowel movements can offer temporary relief from most IBS symptoms. The same is not true of IBD.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits: What Else to Know

The federal government offers two disability programs through the SSA. One is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the other is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

SSI only pays benefits to people who are blind, disabled, or age 65+ with extremely limited financial resources. You do not need to meet any work history requirements to qualify for SSI benefits. The payments, however, are a set amount. In 2025, individuals can receive no more than $967 per month. Eligible couples can get a maximum of $1,450 in SSI benefits each month.

If approved, you’ll also get access to Medicaid healthcare coverage the same month your SSI payments begin.

SSDI pays disability benefits if you worked at least 5 in the last 10 years while paying Social Security taxes. To qualify for SSDI, you need 40 Social Security work credits on the date of your application. You must also not currently receive any other Social Security benefits when you apply, such as early or regular retirement.

The maximum monthly SSDI payment in 2025 is $4,018, but most people get closer to the average of $1,580.

Two years after your SSDI benefits begin (24 months), you also become eligible for Medicare coverage. However, you may have to file a separate application for that benefit, depending on which state you live in.

How to File Your Disability for IBS Claim

There are numerous ways to file for disability, so it’s easy to find one that is most convenient for you. You can file your SSDI or SSI application in one of the following ways:

1. In person at your local Social Security Administration office.
2. Over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.
3. You can also file for free through a Social Security attorney. We’ll explain why that’s a great idea in our next section.

You can also file your SSDI benefits application online by visiting SSA.gov. However, you cannot apply for SSI online anywhere, unfortunately.

If you’re a disabled veteran with IBS, you can apply directly with the VA online or through a VA-accredited attorney.

Working with an Attorney Makes You 3x More Likely to Get IBD or IBS Disability Benefits

Did you know that Social Security disability attorneys can triple your chances for a successful disability for IBS claim?

It also increases your odds of receiving your first disability check within 6 months (180 days) after you file.

All disability attorneys work on contingency. That means you pay $0 in legal fees if the attorney doesn’t help you get disability payments.

Want a free claim evaluation and consultation to learn what an attorney can do for you? It’s the fastest and easiest way to see whether you may qualify for disability. If so, click the button below now to get started:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation