Listing code
3.04
Adult (Part A)
Body system
3.00
Respiratory disorders
Subsections
7
Lettered criteria paths
Step in evaluation
3 of 5
Listing match approves the claim
SSA listing text and criteria
Cystic fibrosis . (documented as described in 3.00J2) with A, B, C, D, E, F, or G:
Subsection A
FEV 1 (see 3.00E ) less than or equal to the value in Table VII-A or VII-B for your age, sex, and height without shoes (see 3.00E3a ). Table VII: FEV 1 Criteria for 3.04A Height without shoes (centimeters) < means less than Height without shoes (inches) < means less than Table VII-A Table VII-B Age 18 to attainment of age 20 Age 20 or older Females FEV 1 less than or equal to (L, BTPS) Males FEV 1 less than or equal to (L, BTPS) Females FEV 1 less than or equal to (L, BTPS) Males FEV 1 less than or equal to (L, BTPS) <153.0 <60.25 1.65 1.90 1.45 1.60 153.0 to <159.0 60.25 to <62.50 1.75 2.05 1.55 1.75 159.0 to <164.0 62.50 to <64.50 1.85 2.15 1.65 1.90 164.0 to <169.0 64.50 to <66.50 1.95 2.30 1.75 2.00 169.0 to <174.0 66.50 to <68.50 2.05 2.45 1.85 2.15 174.0 to <180.0 68.50 to <70.75 2.20 2.60 2.00 2.30 180.0 to <185.0 70.75 to <72.75 2.35 2.75 2.10 2.45 185.0 or more 72.75 or more 2.40 2.85 2.20 2.55 OR
Subsection B
Exacerbations or complications (see 3.00J3 ) requiring three hospitalizations of any length within a 12-month period and at least 30 days apart (the 12-month period must occur within the period we are considering in connection with your application or continuing disability review). OR
Subsection C
Spontaneous pneumothorax, secondary to CF, requiring chest tube placement. OR
Subsection D
Respiratory failure (see 3.00N ) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation with BiPAP, or a combination of both treatments, for a continuous period of at least 48 hours, or for a continuous period of at least 72 hours if postoperatively. OR
Subsection E
Pulmonary hemorrhage requiring vascular embolization to control bleeding. OR
Subsection F
SpO 2 measured by pulse oximetry (see 3.00H3 ) either at rest, during a 6MWT, or after a 6MWT, less than or equal to the value in Table VIII, twice within a 12-month period and at least 30 days apart (the 12-month period must occur within the period we are considering in connection with your application or continuing disability review). Tables VIII: SpO 2 Criteria for 3.04F Test site altitude (feet above sea level) SpO 2 less than or equal to Less than 3,000 89 percent 3,000 through 6,000 87 percent Over 6,000 85 percent OR
Subsection G
Two of the following exacerbations or complications (either two of the same or two different, see 3.00J3 and 3.00J4 ) within a 12-month period (the 12-month period must occur within the period we are considering in connection with your application or continuing disability review): Pulmonary exacerbation requiring 10 consecutive days of intravenous antibiotic treatment. Pulmonary hemorrhage (hemoptysis with more than blood-streaked sputum but not requiring vascular embolization) requiring hospitalization of any length. Weight loss requiring daily supplemental enteral nutrition via a gastrostomy for at least 90 consecutive days or parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter for at least 90 consecutive days. CFRD requiring daily insulin therapy for at least 90 consecutive days.
Source: SSA Blue Book listing 3.04. Last synced 2026-05-04.
Where claims under 3.04 usually fail
One pitfall is relying on a breathing test number without matching the exact structure of 3.04A, which uses FEV 1 compared to the Table VII-A or VII-B cutoff for age, sex, and height without shoes. Another pitfall is treating "frequent flare-ups" as enough, when 3.04B requires three hospitalizations of any length within a 12-month period and at least 30 days apart, and 3.04G requires two qualifying exacerbations or complications within a 12-month period (with the listed types, not any symptoms). A third pitfall is confusing oxygen saturation results, since 3.04F requires SpO 2 measured by pulse oximetry at rest, during a 6MWT, or after a 6MWT, and then meeting the Table VIII cutoff twice within a 12-month period at least 30 days apart. A fourth pitfall is overlooking the difference between pulmonary hemorrhage that requires vascular embolization (3.04E) and pulmonary hemorrhage that does not (covered under 3.04G as hemoptysis with more than blood-streaked sputum but not requiring vascular embolization).
Medical evidence that strengthens this claim
Documentation needs to show cystic fibrosis is established in the way required by 3.00J2, and then the evidence must match at least one lettered criterion. For 3.04A, the key evidence is FEV 1 testing that includes enough information to apply the Table VII-A or VII-B cutoff for the person's age, sex, and height without shoes. For 3.04B and 3.04G, hospital records and timing matter, since 3.04B requires three hospitalizations of any length within a 12-month period with at least 30 days between them, and 3.04G requires two qualifying exacerbations or complications within a 12-month period. For 3.04C, chest tube placement linked to spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to CF is the focus. For 3.04D, the record should show respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and/or noninvasive ventilation with BiPAP, for the stated continuous duration (at least 48 hours, or at least 72 hours if postoperative). For 3.04E, documentation should show pulmonary hemorrhage requiring vascular embolization to control bleeding. For 3.04F, the evidence should include SpO 2 values measured by
What happens if your records do not meet this listing
If the A through G triggers are not met, SSA can still decide the claim at later steps by looking at what the person can do in real life even with cystic fibrosis. This is where a residual functional capacity concept comes in, tying medical findings to work-related abilities rather than only whether a specific lettered trigger is met. Claimants who do not qualify under a listing can still be approved if the remaining functional limits, combined with other decision factors, show that sustained work activity is not realistically possible.
Work activity and the SGA gate for this condition
At the start of an SSDI claim, work activity limits still apply under the substantial gainful activity concept. Whether cystic fibrosis meets a listing-level threshold under 3.04 depends on the presence of specific criteria such as FEV 1 at or below the Table VII-A or VII-B cutoff (3.04A), hospitalizations spaced as required (3.04B), chest tube placement for CF-related pneumothorax (3.04C), ventilation for respiratory failure for the required duration (3.04D), vascular embolization for pulmonary hemorrhage (3.04E), or repeated low SpO 2 pulse-oximetry results tied to a 6MWT (3.04F). If approved, the standard rules about trial work and continued eligibility after approval apply, but the lettered CF criteria drive the medical justification for the initial allowance rather than the work-activity thresholds themselves.
Listing 3.04 FAQ
Questions that come up repeatedly for cystic fibrosis disability claims.