Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Social Security Disability Benefits

Does anyone from the United States know about receivind Social Security Disabilty?  I just applied.  I have a liver biopsy that shows piecemeal necrosis. My knodell score is 15/18. I said I was fatigued and unable to sit at the computer (my line of work) for more than 1/2 hour because of chronic fatigue.  I also have depression and have been taking Zoloft for a few years.  Do you folks think that this will "cut" it?  Also, I did 15 weeks of Interferon/Riba and am a non-responder.

Merrie
31 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I got SSDI first try without a lawyer and without going to their doctor. Had hepatic encephalopathy and Stage 4 cirrhosis with all the goodies that comes with it. I didn't try until I was forced. I also worked at a computer hours a day. My back and side killed me, but the biggie was the HE. Brain would not function correctly and I forgot wires, still do. Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Great article. Thanks for the info, this is really a helpful post. BTW, if anyone needs to fill out an Application for Child Insurance Benefit form SSA-4, I found a blank form in this link http://pdf.ac/6LM2s. This site PDFfiller also has several related forms that you might find useful.
Helpful - 0
253566 tn?1219679699
Definitely dont give up. It took me four years to get approved. I did have a representative (not a lawyer but this is all he does). He helped immensely making sure I was prepped for the Judges meetings etc.

If SSI sends you for a physical or psychological testing make sure you get your own tests done to equal their statements.

I was also on local (Pennsylvania) disability (Welfare) and they helped me a lot also. They want to get you off local and onto federal.

If anyone wants more details you can PM me.

good luck all,
frank
Helpful - 0
494545 tn?1209510055
Should I Give up on SSI I Have A Seziure condition that left me un Balanced I fall easy,I am  53 have not work since 2002 i got sick at work from Dust in the Factory i worked in, and got workmen comp, and settetment with them so i don't think anyone would  i could work i am sick most of the time with asmtha I take a lot of meds also, I also have a bad back Disase of the Bones and Disk problems, should i give up i am tired,may,thanks,
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
On Janis and friends site there are like 3 or 4 people who got it because of what hep c did to them, along with some other things, if you go there and chat, you'll find them....2 of them I know well and they are pretty nice...
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
I do know people who got SS for Hep C and depression, on their first try, with a good attorney...there are people who get it...but they are pretty disabled too, with lots of documentation and docs letters, etc....many people don't know how to go about it properly, and they are counting on that...and it does depend on your age too, the older you are the better, they figure they won't be paying out to you to long if your older rather then younger, it depends on many factors, and how you approach it, I think that guy's blog I pointed out is very informative and realistic...
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
hi, there are some other threads going that answers this too...they don't give you SS or SSI or SS and SSI for hep c per se...they give it to you because whatever disease(s) are causing it, you are too disabled to work...you have to prove (to them) that you are disabled by getting a variety of docs, and psychiatrists (if you have depression) to sign you off for disability....firstly, if you are too disabled to work, you need to find a good SS attorney, ask how many cases he's won, vs he's tried, etc...here is a good blog that discusses how this man got disability for his hep c step, etc by step... this will give you an overview of what is involved and see if you meet the criterion....

http://heppie2000.tripod.com/index-3.html
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey dont give up if it is affecting your work give it a try and try again. If you get the run around try this contact:

Patient Advocate Foundation
753 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite B
Newport News, Virginia 23606
tel: 757 873-6668  fax 757 873-8999
1 800-532-5274
e-mail  ***@****
www.patientadvocate.org

hopefully this will help and pass on the info to others
good luck and take care
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
apply, don't lost time
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ohh...about "working" while your waiting on SSDI... I worked several months at a time, did not make much money, but enough to survive on.  I never worked over 5 mo. at a time, or made enough money that they would consider "gainful employment".....I tried, and that's what the record showed.  But the really good part about that....last year, they AUDITED me, and every job and little red cent I made from the time I first filed for disability!!
Just keep in mind, some of the major factors that they look at are "age, education, job history" and assets.  I filed in 97, when I was 39.....not a good age to try to get disability.  Im 47 now, and I am confident that I will continue to receive it hereout.  And yes, I did end up having to get a lawyer, mainly because I was sick and tired of fighting with social security, so I placed it in the hands of a lawyer, and it was worth every penny.  The Social Security Administration alone is enough to drive a poor soul insane......
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been on SSDI since 2000.  I fought for 3 yrs before I was finally granted it.  I was denied the first time, and didn't bother with appealing it, (always appeal!!)  But, fortunatly, I refiled before my time limit had run out.  You BETTER have lots and lotsss of documentation is all I can say.  I had 3 doctors who all kept their reports on the same level.  When I finally got my hearing (took 1 yr from the time they set the appointment)...the Judge ordered a full battery psycological exam because he was not satisfied with the current evidence.  Noting, that I was listed as suicidal.  If anyone gets SSDI on the grounds of HCV alone, it would be a miracle to say the least.  Believe me, just because the book list Hep C as a disability, they have their own little loop holes to knock it out of the water.....I would not have gotten it on Hep C alone.  But, the combination of HCV, chronic pain, severe recurrent depression, post traumatic distress disorder and a low global assessment....won the case.  I now get SSDI and SSI, medicaid and medicare.  I don't know why you would not get the medicare for 1-2 yrs, because I got mine immediatly.  Thou, I do know of people that have had to wait on theirs.  I dont understand that part.  Since then, I have had my HCV RNA by PCR come back totally undectable.  Over the past 6 yrs, it has slowly come down to nothing.  When I stopped treatments in 1999, I had not cleared the virus, I just gave up and stopped the treatments.  I had been taking the treatments off and on for 2 yrs, various reasons and side effects had always caused them to stop my treatments and restart them, untill May of 99 when I had decided I had had enough!  I still had the virus, and it was still active.  When I tested again in Feb. 2000, my PCR came back less than 200.....I tested again a year later, and it was less than 10 (yes, there IS a test)....since, I have tested every year, and my last test 6 mo. ago, it could not be found at all.  Don't ask me.....but that's what the test said!!  My doc had another test done last week, but it takes a couple of weeks to come back, so dont know what that one will say.  "Supplements"....you bet ya.....I took Milk Thistle faithfully, I also took a chance on a product called "Liver One" created and designed by a young female chinese doctor specifically for Hep C and liver disease.  Dont care what anyone says.....I will die believing that the Liver One, is what cleared me of the virus.  But, everyone has their own beliefs, their own regime.....I just know what worked for me.  I wish you all the best of luck, and God bless you each  and every one, because I know the torture and agony this disease and it's treatments can cause.  Just wanted to share this with everyone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What a nice note Bobbyullc.  Thanks.  I want my slumped spirits to soar.

Merrie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
SORRY ABOUT YOUR DIOGNOSIS AND KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO EVEN WALK OUT FOR THE MAIL IN THAT STATE.
FYI A FRIEND OF MINE HAS BEEN ON SS FOR YEARS DUE TO HEP C AND HE CLEARED. THE SIDES FROM THE DISEASE HAVE HIM DOWN. I WOULD THINK YOU WILL BE A PERFECT CANDIDATE.
ANYWAY I HOPE YOUR HEALTH HOLDS UP AND YOUR SPIRITS SOAR.
BOBBY
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HCV is covered by SSDI under liver disease. Piecemeal necrosis may not go very far depending on who the medical examiner is. To get SSDI you basically have to be too sick to work in any job. The things they focus on the most is repeated ascites, encephalopathy,out of whack lab levels from creatinine, albumin, P.T.,etc.

Most SSDI applicants are turned down the first time in most states. I suggest getting a SSDI lawyer now to advise you on the matter. Or at least an HCV advocate if such people exist in your area. It IS possible to get SSDI in 3 months. But you better have all the info they need and all of the 't's are crossed. In Colorado the avg time to receive SSDI is 2 years. Every state will vary some.

Get copies every time you visit a doc. Chart your blood labs for abnormailities. I hope some of this advice and suggestions helps.
Best regards,
PK
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have heard that you can earn up to a certain amount and still qualify for disablility.  Does anyone know if this amount counts dollarwise against what your monthly benefit would be?

I don't have cirrosis, but I do have early bridging fibrisis.

Thanks for the input guys.

I think the 15 weeks on meds allowed other infections to go wild in me and now, 2 months off meds, I am a wreck.  

Merrie

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry but Mr. Bush didn't set the criteria for SSDI. Also don't recall Mr. clinton doing anything to help there either.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Much Much harder to get on SSDI if your working at all, I do know you can't be working for 5 months before trying. Once your on SSDI then your allowed to make so much before it effects your benifits. One other thing it takes 2 years being on SSDI before you can go on medicare. But that time starts after your first 5 months, meaning after your 5 months then you apply for SSDI and get it 6 months later You'll still have to wait 1 year 6 months for medicare. But your money will start after the 5 months.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i worked for several years as a reference librarian when i started having aches and pains. i became very depressed and in alot of pain and could no longer work so i lost my job for missing so much and was unemployed. i did not know anyone is the ssa builing but thought i would give it a shot and apply. so i did and within 8 weeks i was appoved, over the phone. i think i got it because of the symptoms i was having. i did not find out about the hep c till afterwards. i would try for it if i was you and if you get denied then try again. good luck to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
in todays USA no it won't cut it... they could put you on a stool somewhere for minimum wage and make you the greeter...

my brother had a severe stroke at 48... get's tired easy, talks very garbled, looks a bit strange. Dr. disabled him...

appealed to SSA 4 times via lawyers, DENIED... mr. bush woul rather spend his cash on an intl. crusade that benefits the wealthy...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First I am so sorry about the biopsy results.  Piecemeal necrosis and the score of 15/18 sounds pretty bad.  You are on treatment, aren't you?  How are you handling it?

I don't think I can add much -- can do pretty much said it all.  DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT.  I haven't filled out the SSD application, only the SSI application for my daughter, years ago, but they are similar. There are several pages of questions to fill out on how you feel, but more importantly you must document all the doctors you have seen.  Since you have depression, you should be able to document with a psychological report.  Don't expect them to contact all these doctors - they will, but it will be faster to attach the reports yourself. When I did my daughters, I summarized by date each medication she was on and for how long.  I also summarized her job record with specifics on why she lost jobs. It is not an easy process, but if you are denied you can appeal.  The claim goes back to the application if you are then accepted.  Lawyers usually work for a percent of this back fee.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your first time you usually get a decision in about 60 days, From what i was told most atty. won't help much until you've been turned down twice. Their cut of the action comes when you have to go before judge. Though you might get some help from them.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im thinking that if the knodell score is 15/18 then that would mean cirrhosis. If so then having cirrhosis of the liver makes it a whole lot easier. I have a close friend at SS that helped me with a friend of mine who at the time didn't have ESLD but was able to get SSDI. But it comes down to who reviews your case the first time around.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had to go to several doctors and prove that for my depression and brain injury I was going to a neuropsychologist for about a year.  They gave me lots of tests - psych and physical.

I do remember that it was a many, many part thing and took quite some while but...you don't receive money for like the first four or five months after you apply BUT after that everything was retroactive and I got like a $15,000 check.  So I guess at only app. $1,000 a month - you can see it took me a year or two to get everything for it started.

Its not a quick process so except to have to work or something to survive in the meantime.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HOnestly from a realistic standpoint I think it would hurt your chances of getting it.  More likely it would be better or they would expect someone perhaps to go back to work on a shortened day AFTER a while when they were getting better.

Everyone I've ever known on it has not worked - and just had small things under the table.

Sorry I can't help more than that. I did not work at all so I don't know.

Sounds like you need to talk to one of the special 1-800-CallUS for Social SEcurity lawyers and ask.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.