If you’re on dialysis or you’ve had a kidney transplant within the past year, your case under 6.00 is essentially automatic. Outside those two scenarios, the path is narrower but still tractable.
What 6.00 covers
- 6.03 — Chronic kidney disease, with dialysis
- 6.04 — Chronic kidney disease, with kidney transplantation
- 6.05 — Chronic kidney disease with impairment of kidney function
- 6.06 — Nephrotic syndrome
- 6.09 — Complications of CKD requiring frequent hospitalization
Listing 6.03 — Dialysis
The simplest qualifying pathway in 6.00. If you require chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis as ongoing maintenance treatment, you meet the listing. Documentation needs to confirm ongoing dialysis (not a single trial episode) with treatment expected to last at least 12 months.
SSA accepts dialysis center records, your nephrologist’s chart, and treatment frequency logs as sufficient evidence.
Listing 6.04 — Post-transplant
A 12-month presumptive period after kidney transplantation — meaning you automatically qualify for the first year regardless of how well your new kidney is functioning. After 12 months, SSA evaluates based on residual function, complications, immunosuppression-related issues, and any rejection episodes.
Listing 6.05 — CKD without dialysis
Three pathways requiring documented eGFR plus additional criteria:
- eGFR ≤20 mL/min/1.73m² on two evaluations ≥90 days apart in a 12-month period, OR
- Serum creatinine ≥4.0 with specific other findings, OR
- eGFR 20-30 with renal bone disease, peripheral neuropathy from CKD, or fluid overload requiring extended ER visits or hospitalizations
Most CKD claimants who aren’t yet on dialysis fall into the 6.05 pathway. The eGFR threshold is the key number — if you’re approaching dialysis but haven’t started, your nephrologist should be tracking eGFR closely.
What evidence wins genitourinary cases
Nephrologist treatment records. Recent labs (eGFR, creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, CBC, albumin). Dialysis center records if applicable. Transplant records if applicable. Bone density (DEXA) if renal bone disease is being argued.
For 6.05, the eGFR documentation needs to span at least 90 days — a single low result isn’t enough. SSA wants to see the impairment is sustained.
Where these cases fall apart
For 6.05, the most common gap is a single eGFR result without the 90-day-apart repeat. Get your nephrologist to retest after the requisite interval to lock in the listing argument.
Treatment compliance matters here — SSA expects appropriate phosphorus binders, fluid restrictions, dialysis access maintenance. Documented non-compliance is held against the claim unless explained.
Compassionate Allowances
End-stage renal disease, hereditary kidney conditions like polycystic kidney disease with specific findings, and certain childhood-onset renal failures appear on the fast-track list.
Free consultation
If you have chronic kidney disease, you’re on dialysis, or you’ve had a transplant within the past year, a free 30-minute call clarifies your path under 6.00.
Official SSA reference: View Section 6.00 on ssa.gov →