SSA Listing 6.00

Genitourinary Disorders: Social Security Disability Listings

Can You Get Disability for Kidney Disease?

Yes. A genitourinary disorders disability claim is judged under SSA's 6.00 listings, which cover chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome. Ongoing dialysis expected to last 12 months meets listing 6.03, and a kidney transplant meets 6.04 for 1 year. Without dialysis, SSA looks for very low kidney function on two tests 90 days apart plus a serious complication. See who qualifies for Social Security disability.

Reviewed by Michael Rupe ·October 1, 2026

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What the Genitourinary Listings Cover

A genitourinary disorders disability claim is judged against section 6.00 of SSA’s Listing of Impairments. In practice this section is about the kidneys. It covers conditions that lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as:

Glomerulonephritis.
Kidney damage from high blood pressure or diabetes.
Blocked urinary drainage (chronic obstructive uropathy).
Inherited kidney diseases.

It also covers nephrotic syndrome, where damaged kidney filters leak large amounts of protein.

The listings describe kidney disease SSA considers severe enough to prevent any gainful activity. If your records match one and it meets the duration rule, SSA finds you disabled at step three.

What SSA Looks for in Each Kidney Listing

Listing	What SSA looks for, in plain words
6.03 Dialysis	Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, confirmed by your medical source
6.04 Kidney transplant	Disabled for 1 year from the transplant date, then SSA re-evaluates
6.05 Reduced kidney function	Creatinine of 4 mg/dL or more, creatinine clearance of 20 or less, or eGFR of 20 or less, on two tests at least 90 days apart in 12 months, plus one complication: bone disease with severe bone pain, nerve damage, fluid overload, or weight loss to a BMI of 18.0 or less
6.06 Nephrotic syndrome	Heavy protein loss in the urine on two tests 90 days apart, plus severe body-wide swelling (anasarca) lasting at least 90 days despite treatment
6.09 Complications of CKD	Three hospital stays of at least 48 hours within 12 months, at least 30 days apart, for CKD complications such as stroke, heart failure or a blood pressure crisis

A Closer Look at Listing 6.05

SSA’s listing 6.05 is for people with serious kidney disease who aren’t on dialysis. Part A is the lab test. Part B is how the disease is affecting your body, and you need one of these:

Renal osteodystrophy: bone damage from kidney disease, with severe bone pain and imaging that shows bone abnormalities.
Peripheral neuropathy: nerve damage from toxins your kidneys can’t filter, causing pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. It must be severe and last 12 months.
Fluid overload: diastolic blood pressure of 110 or higher despite 90 days of treatment, or signs of fluid congestion or massive swelling despite treatment, each shown twice 90 days apart.
Weight loss from poor appetite: a BMI of 18.0 or less on two occasions 90 days apart.

Timing matters. Lab results taken too close together won’t count, so keep dates in mind when you schedule follow-up tests with your nephrologist.

The Evidence SSA Asks for

The 6.00 introduction asks for records that show the signs, symptoms and lab findings of your kidney disease. That means exam reports, treatment records and how you’ve responded. Blood tests such as creatinine and albumin show kidney function. SSA generally wants evidence covering at least 90 days, unless it can approve you without it.

If you’ve had a kidney or bone biopsy, SSA wants the pathology report. For dialysis, a statement from your medical source describing your CKD, your current dialysis and that it will continue is enough for 6.03.

Your disability may have started before dialysis or a transplant. SSA sets the onset date from your records, which can affect disability back pay.

If Your Kidney Disease Doesn’t Meet a Listing

SSA next asks whether your condition medically equals a listing. That includes the combined effects of kidney disease with heart disease, diabetes or other conditions.

If not, SSA assesses your residual functional capacity (RFC). For kidney disease, the RFC can reflect fatigue, swelling, nerve pain, the time dialysis takes, and how often you’d miss work. SSA compares that RFC with your past jobs, then asks whether you can adjust to other work given your age, education and experience. The full five steps are on who qualifies for Social Security disability.

SSA's Genitourinary Disorders Listings (6.00)

SSA listings in section 6.00
Listing	Name
6.03	Chronic kidney disease, with chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
6.04	Chronic kidney disease, with kidney transplant
6.05	Chronic kidney disease, with impairment of kidney function
6.06	Nephrotic syndrome
6.09	Complications of chronic kidney disease

For children, SSA uses section 106.00 (Genitourinary Disorders), with 7 listings. See childhood conditions.

From SSA's Listing of Impairments (ssa.gov), checked October 2, 2026.

Medicare for Kidney Failure

Kidney failure has its own Medicare rules. With End-Stage Renal Disease, Medicare is available at any age if you have enough work history or qualify as a spouse or child. For dialysis, coverage usually starts the first day of the fourth month of dialysis, earlier with home dialysis training. For a transplant, it can start the month you’re admitted to the hospital, and coverage can be retroactive up to 12 months.

That’s very different from the usual 24-month wait for Medicare after SSDI begins. See Medicare for people on disability for the general rules.

Compassionate Allowances for Kidney Conditions

SSA’s Compassionate Allowances list includes Renal Amyloidosis - AL Type, along with kidney cancers such as Kidney Cancer - Inoperable or Unresectable and Renal Medullary Carcinoma. Hepatorenal Syndrome, kidney failure caused by liver disease, is also on the list, though SSA evaluates it under the digestive listing 5.05D. CAL claims for SSDI and SSI are identified for faster decisions.

Children’s Kidney Conditions: Listing 106.00

Children under 18 applying for SSI are judged first under section 106.00. It mirrors the adult dialysis, transplant, kidney function, nephrotic syndrome and complications listings. It adds 106.07 for congenital genitourinary disorders and 106.08 for growth failure caused by chronic kidney disease. See SSI for children with disabilities.

Workplace Accommodations for Kidney Disease

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) notes that accommodations differ a great deal from person to person. For renal and kidney disease, its ideas include:

For fatigue: a flexible schedule, job restructuring, periodic rest breaks, task rotation and telework.
For nausea: a flexible schedule, a mini refrigerator at work and telework.
A modified break schedule and policy changes.

See workplace accommodations under the ADA.

Kidney disease often comes with heart problems, covered under cardiovascular disorders. Diabetes is covered on the endocrine disorders page. Check work credits and income with the disability eligibility screener, then follow how to apply for disability. If SSA says no, you have 60 days to appeal; see how to appeal a disability denial. All body systems are on conditions SSA lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have to Be on Dialysis to Qualify?

No. Listing 6.05 covers chronic kidney disease without dialysis when lab results show very low kidney function on two occasions 90 days apart, plus one of four complications. Listings 6.06 and 6.09 don't require dialysis either.

Does SSA Use My eGFR?

Yes. If your records include eGFR results, SSA considers them under 6.05. An eGFR of 20 or less, on two occasions at least 90 days apart within 12 months, is one of the three kidney function findings the listing accepts.

When Does Medicare Start for Kidney Failure?

With End-Stage Renal Disease, Medicare is available at any age if you have enough work history or qualify as a spouse or child. For dialysis, coverage usually starts the first day of the fourth month of dialysis, earlier with home dialysis training. It doesn't follow the usual 24-month SSDI wait.

Could My Disability Start Before Dialysis Began?

Yes. SSA's 6.00 rules say your kidney disease may have met the definition of disability before you started dialysis or received a transplant, and SSA sets your onset date from the facts in your case record. An earlier onset can affect back pay.

What Happens After the First Year With a Kidney Transplant?

After the 1-year period under 6.04, SSA re-evaluates you. It looks at how the new kidney works, any rejection episodes, complications in other body systems, and side effects of ongoing treatment.

Other Body Systems in SSA's Listings

This page explains SSA's published rules. It isn't medical or legal advice; SSA decides each claim from your records.