Social Security Disability Benefits

[MerrieJane]

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

[bobbyullc]

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

[PKCO]

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

[MerrieJane]

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

[can-do-man]

Sorry but Mr. Bush didn't set the criteria for SSDI. Also don't recall Mr. clinton doing anything to help there either.

[can-do-man]

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.

[fresnoborn]

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.