What you have to prove
Meet via: (1) documented painful crises requiring parenteral narcotic administration at least 6 times within 12 months with 30+ days between crises, OR (2) complications requiring at least 3 hospitalizations within 12 months with 30+ days between admissions, OR (3) chronic severe anemia (hemoglobin ≤7.0).
Medical evidence SSA expects
Hospital admission records, ED visit documentation, hemoglobin electrophoresis confirming diagnosis, CBC trends, and narcotic prescription records.
Common misconceptions
Pain crises treated only with oral medications typically don't count — SSA wants parenteral narcotics (IV/IM) documented. Home pain management with oral opioids usually fails the listing.
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.