What you have to prove
You qualify if you require ongoing dialysis — hemodialysis OR chronic peritoneal dialysis — that is expected to last 12 months or longer.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Nephrologist records, dialysis treatment logs, lab results (GFR, creatinine, BUN), and documentation of vascular access (fistula, graft, or catheter).
Common misconceptions
Dialysis is one of the cleaner listings — if you're on it, approval is usually straightforward. The trick is the 12-month duration requirement: temporary dialysis (e.g. acute kidney injury) doesn't qualify.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.