Do we qualify for disability while on tx. in Ca.?

[tanya24]

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone know if we qualify for state disability either for the hep c itself or while on tx. in Ca.? I need to start treatment in 6 months but I also have to have a hysterectomy and get some income coming in within the next two months. I took time off for a year and a half to help my daughter with my grandson. I was just getting ready to start looking for work and go back to school when I found these things out. I am not sure what to do now, if I will be able to hold a job during tx or if I should look at other options. I know some people have stated they have worked while on tx. but I am hesistant because of my career position. I ran a daycare in the past for twelve years and was considering a preschool teaching or nanny position while I return to school to get my teaching degree. My doc says I will need 18 mo. of tx. for my genotype and load. I am feeling a little discouraged...any suggestions would be so appreciated!- Tanya

[tanya24]

Thank you for all your words of encouragement and information! I am slowly finding out that maybe my doctor is not the most knowledgeable about the release date. The drug he said he wants me to wait for is telaprevir which I now understand from this forum and another doctor will not be available in six months. I did get a second opinion from a doctor who is a friend of the family and treats Hep C patients. He also told me that it should not hurt to wait as long as my liver counts are not elevating and there are no other major problems. He agreed with you and stated just because my liver is showing a 2/2 does not mean a need for immediate treatment within itself. He states the damage could be from years ago. Since 2nd and 3rd biopsy were 16 years apart I really don't know. After hearing all these encouraging words, I feel so much more hopeful and less anxious about waiting. Thank you and God Bless!- Tanya                                                                                

[Mr Liver]

I noticed that the 6 month delay was in order for new meds to be approved that will increase your success rate. However, none of the newer drugs (protease inhibitors) in late trials are expected to reach the market in 6 months. Projections of when the drugs will be available range from an optimistic late 2010, to a pessimistic 2012. The increased clearance rates for Geno 1 is significantly better as your doctor said and this should absolutely be a serious consideration for you if you are contemplating treatment. I am puzzled however by your doctor's position that you will need 18 months of therapy. Extended therapy for geno 1 is usually reserved for relapsers using the current meds and to my knowledge studies for extended treatment beyond 12 months have not been carried out using these newer drugs. When the newer meds are eventually added to the current ones tx times are expected to be shorter, even for relapsers, so I'm puzzled by your doc's statement about tx length.
In most cases someone with stage 2 will have the time to wait for the approval of these drugs, even if it takes a couple of years. I think everything will work out fine for you.
ML

[jdwithhcv]

As you have not yet begun treatment, it will be difficult for you or your doctor to make a sworn statement that you are unable to work due to treatment.  You should try working on treatment and see how you do.  You may find that you can work.  If you find that you cannot, then you and your doctor will be able to support a statement to that effect.

Good luck.

jd

[Wildewoman]

I live in CA & this is from the EDD website:

"Are you out of work due to a non-industrial injury, illness, or pregnancy related condition? Disability Insurance (DI) provides partial wage replacement to eligible workers who are unable to work because of a disability.

Disability is defined as any mental or physical illness or injury which prevents you from performing your regular or customary work according to California Unemployment Insurance Code, Section 2626."

So treatment for an illness is a covered diagnosis.

[tanya24]

Thank you for the information. I will have to try to get the correct numbers and find out. Dealing with the state is always so difficult and complicated that I was just curious if anyone else knew the answer before I dive in. I have been a little stressed and tired lately so I guess I have avoided it so far. Out of sight, out of mind so to speak. I am starting to pick up the pace now though and to try and prepare ahead of time. Have a beautiful day!- Tanya

[Bill1954]

Hi Tanya,

The need for 18 months of treatment is generally predicated on initial response to the antiviral meds, as opposed to the baseline viral load.

Have you considered calling the state to inquire about the parameters for SDI? I know we all dread trying to call Sacramento for answers… there goes the whole day, huh :o)?

Perhaps others will chime in with SDI info for you. I tolerated Treatment fairly well, but didn’t work because of my occupation; I’m a carpenter. I applied for and received entitlement to SSDI (Social Security Disability), but this is long-term, and nothing like State Disability. I know a gal in Nevada that received disability, but it was a private company; NV does not offer state disability.

Good luck, and hang in there—

Bill

[lapis]

Sorry I don't know anything about disability or much about the state of CA.  I have heard of others who've gone on disability during tx, not sure what states they're in.  Just wanted to give you a bump-up and say, welcome to the forum!  

Lapis