Is an Eating Disorder a Disability? | When to Apply for Disability Benefits

While eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) can be debilitating to experience on a mental, physical, and emotional level, they can also be maddeningly complicated to treat, thanks to the vast patchwork of insurance coverage and countless caveats involved in getting care paid for.

Many people wonder, “Is an eating disorder a disability,” thinking that it may be easier to obtain disability benefits than insurance coverage. That answer, too, is unfortunately complicated and colored with many shades of gray.

Is an Eating Disorder a Disability?

The idea of what is considered a disability is nearly always in flux, and the medical community, insurance companies, and the general public rarely agree on the matter. This also applies to eating disorders.

Currently, eating disorders are not, in and of themselves, considered a disability nor a mental health disability under the American Care Act (ACA) or the Social Security Administration (SSA). That means you can’t get Social Security disability insurance for eating disorder-specific claims.

Subsequent legislation has specified that eating disorders are considered mental health conditions, and treatment offerings for them must be on par with those offered for other behavioral health issues. [1,2] Even so, these offerings vary drastically, depending on the insurance company, policy, and location.

Applying for Disability

Although eating disorders are not explicitly considered mental health disabilities, there may be ways to make SSA claims related to the conditions.

Understanding How Disability Works

Social Security will pay disability benefits to individuals who cannot work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year. [3]

To qualify for disability, at least two of the following medical criteria must be met: [3]

• The condition meets a disability listing
• The condition is the medical equivalent of a listed disability
• Impairments are provably severe to the point of preventing you from working

Additional requirements may involve your work history and specifics about your income. [3] If these fulfillments are met, you can proceed with your claim.

Common Listings Under Which an Eating Disorder May Be Approved

The Social Security Administration’s impairment listing manual includes a number of both mental and physical ailments that will qualify an individual for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

When it comes to eating disorders, there is not a dedicated listing that automatically qualifies an individual for these benefits. However, the SSA will consider an eating disorder as potentially disabling in light of the physical, mental, and/or psychological symptoms that could disable you.

Some of these qualifying eating disorder symptoms currently include, but may not be limited to:

• Chronic heart failure
• Endocrine disorders
• Recurrent arrhythmias
• Chronic anemia
• Weight loss due to any digestive disorder
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

Remember that the SSA regularly reevaluates what they consider a disability, so it’s important to do some research before making your claim to ensure you’re working with the most up-to-date information.

How to Apply for Eating Disorder Disability Benefits

If you’re looking for social security benefits to help support you while you seek treatment for an eating disorder, it’s important to work closely with your physician and treatment team. These medical experts can help determine and document how the symptoms of your disorder are affecting your ability to work, which will be a crucial part of your claim.

Keep in mind that the current lack of a dedicated listing for eating disorders may make it challenging to qualify for benefits. But if you find that your mental or physical symptoms closely align with any of the pre-approved listings for disability benefits, you may be able to make a stronger case.

Resources, such as a social security advocate or attorney familiar with these types of claims, can also be a big help. Legal experts can help you prepare a case and work through potentially complicated paperwork and requests needed to prepare your application.

Applying for disability for an eating disorder can be complicated, but these benefits can also offer a chance to help support yourself while seeking the treatment you need.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Updated on May 14, 2024
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com

Eating Disorder Hope Staff

The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.