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

[Forseegood]

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

[gretchenglo]

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: [phone]  fax [phone]
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

[MAO561]

apply, don't lost time

[ladybrooks42]

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......

[ladybrooks42]

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.

[MerrieJane]

What a nice note Bobbyullc.  Thanks.  I want my slumped spirits to soar.

Merrie