Yes, you can get disability for diabetes, as it's often recognized as a disability, but eligibility depends on severity, complications, and adherence to treatment, with systems like Australia's NDIS funding support for limitations, not the condition itself, while the US Social Security Administration lists it under endocrine disorders, requiring documentation of significant impact on daily life for benefits like the Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Claiming benefit and diabetes
Some people with diabetes may be able to claim benefit for themselves or someone they're supporting. This includes Disability Living Allowance for children and Personal Independence Payment for adults. Find out more on our diabetes and benefits page.
You may be entitled to money from Centrelink if you have diabetes. You can contact Centrelink to check if you are able to receive a payment or concession as a person with diabetes or a family carer.
People with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, do not always qualify for Social Security disability benefits. There must be serious problems with diabetes in order to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
People who are registered with the NDSS can access a range of subsidised Government approved products including: subsidised blood gluclose monitoring strips. free insulin syringes and pen-needles (if you require insulin) subsidised insulin pump consumables (IPCs)
According to the Commonwealth and State anti-discrimination laws, along with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 (Cth), diabetes falls under the category of a disability. This condition is considered a hidden or invisible disability because it substantially limits the function of the endocrine system.
Many people who have diabetes need help paying for their care. You can find help through private or government health insurance, local programs, patient support groups, and medicine-assistance programs. You can also find ways to save money on diabetes medicines and supplies.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns disability ratings for diabetes at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%, based on your treatment requirements and how the condition affects your daily life.
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It's not your fault
You've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes because your body doesn't use insulin well. Because of that, it can't keep your blood sugar at normal levels. There are many factors that can lead to type 2 diabetes.
We can only fund diabetes supports if they're related to your disability. If you have trouble managing your diabetes on your own because of your disability, we may fund NDIS supports to help you.
Not everyone with diabetes who takes insulin or medication is eligible for a disability benefit. It's not the type of diabetes you have that matters in benefit terms, but the level of care you need day to day to do tasks or get around – or are providing if you're a carer.
In Australia, automatic qualification for disability support (like the Disability Support Pension or NDIS) isn't about specific conditions but rather about meeting "manifest" criteria for severe, permanent, or terminal impairments, such as being permanently blind, having an IQ under 70, needing nursing home care, Category 4 HIV/AIDS, or a terminal illness with less than a two-year life expectancy. Otherwise, eligibility for income support (DSP) or NDIS funding depends on demonstrating the condition's permanence and its substantial, long-term impact on daily life and work capacity, requiring medical evidence.
Here are some examples of free foods for diabetics, as outlined by a committee of the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:
Time off work to manage type 1 diabetes
Your employer should let you take time off work to go for appointments and check-ups. However, the law doesn't say that this time off has to be paid. Many organisations do offer paid time off for medical appointments so check with your employer.
According to its proponents, you use the pinch method by holding the thumb and index finger of one hand just above the wrist of the other hand and then exerting a little bit of pressure on the wrist. Doing this will supposedly cause the release of insulin and break down glucose.
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The biggest red flags in an interview often involve lack of transparency, negative talk about past employees, disorganization/poor communication, aggressive sales tactics, or an unclear role/expectations, all pointing to potential toxic cultures, poor management, or unrealistic demands where you're set up for failure or burnout. A major warning is hearing about high turnover, constant "family" talk, or being pressured to accept an offer immediately.
The ten-second rule is a concept you might have heard of during your job hunt. The idea is that your resume needs to make an impression on a hiring manager in less than ten seconds if you want to get the job.
It is designed to help people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, including diabetes. If you have diabetes and it significantly affects your ability to manage daily tasks or move around independently, you may be eligible to receive PIP.
Diabetes majorly increases the risk of many heart problems. These can include coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis). If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have heart disease or stroke. Nerve damage from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).
A random plasma glucose test measures blood glucose levels at any time; if the blood glucose levels fall between 140 mg/dL to -199 mg/dL, it may be indicative of prediabetes. This test will require a follow-up test to be accurate.
Financial support to manage your diabetes
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities or requiring a life-sustaining therapy, or caregivers reduce their income taxes. People who have diabetes and use insulin typically apply for the DTC under the category of life-sustaining therapy.
In Australia, people with diabetes get subsidised (reduced cost) or sometimes free essential management supplies through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), including glucose test strips, syringes, pen needles, insulin pump consumables, and Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) products, with full CGM access being free for all Type 1 diabetics. Additionally, certain groups like veterans (DVA cardholders) and low-income individuals (Healthcare Card) receive extra benefits, while free chronic wound care products are also available for older Australians.