Do you suffer from Hepatitis C? If so, you certainly aren’t alone. In fact, more than four million Americans have this condition too. If you struggle with this condition, you likely already know that those who have it can experience varying side effects, some of which are more severe and long-lasting than others.
The good news about Hepatitis C is that although it unfortunately cannot be cured, if treated with the right blend of medications and therapies, it can be suppressed. Sadly, however, this is not always the case. Efforts to width suppress the disease are typically most effective in young and healthy individuals who don’t have other conditions affecting their immune systems. Sometimes, despite your best efforts to stay healthy and live life at your best, the chronic and long-lasting side effects of Hepatitis C can take their toll.
If you are one of those people who struggles from more severe and chronic symptoms as a result of Hepatitis C, it is very possible that you may find yourself unable to enjoy and engage in many normal aspects of your life– including your ability to work. If you find yourself in this situation, it can certainly cause added financial stress on top of the other stress and anxiety that your disease may already cause. You may be wondering if there are any steps you can take to relieve some of this financial burden. The good news is that depending upon the nature of your condition, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
Does My Condition Qualify for SSD Benefits?
As part of its process in determining whether or not to approve an application for SSD benefits, Social Security Administration will look at its official “listings” of diseases that qualify for receipt of benefits. While Hepatitis C is not listed specifically, “liver disease” is listed, and those who have been diagnosed with both Hepatitis C and chronic liver disease ma qualify. In order to qualify under this official listing for liver disease, you must be able to show that you have had some complication from your liver disease, and some damage to your liver. Some of those complications may include:
- Internal bleeding;
- Hepatopulmonary syndrome;
- Fluid in the pleural cavity or peritoneal cavity; or
- Hepatorenal syndrome, among other conditions.
If you are able to establish through medical proof that you meet the requirements of the listing for liver disease, then it is likely that you will be successful in pursuing your SSD claim for benefits. If you can’t meet the requirements, however, don’t panic. You may still be able to qualify for benefits if you are able to prove that either the symptoms and side effects of your condition affect your ability to maintain gainful employment for at least a one-year period.
If your doctor can provide a detailed description of your condition and the limitations it causes, you may be able to demonstrate to the Social Security Administration that you can no longer hold gainful employment. This may mean showing that you have symptoms like significant and ongoing fatigue, chronic nausea, or an inability to sit or stand for a long period of time. Typically, the SSA will look at your condition and take into account your disability your skills, your education level, and your abilities to determine your residual functional capacity. Essentially, this means your ability to hold gainful employment if it can be offered with reasonable accommodations for your condition. If the SSA finds that you are unable to so, you may qualify for disability benefits.
Contact Attorney Daniel Berger Today
Like any legal matter, applying for disability benefits can seem like a complicated and at times overwhelming process. If you have Hepatitis C, you probably feel like your time is best meant managing your condition and making sure you stay healthy and live your best life – and you’re right. Letting a knowledgeable and experienced attorney handle the process of applying for benefits on your behalf can provide peace of mind, and the confidence that you are putting your best foot forward in the application process.
At The Law Office of Daniel Berger, our team specializes in helping clients through each step of the application process with excellent professional representation, and personalized attention to each and every client. We know that this process is important to you – and it is important to us. We always strive to pursue the best strategies on your behalf to seek the benefits you deserve, and to offer you the very best service possible. We have helped countless other clients just like you do the same, and we would welcome the opportunity to help you too. For additional information on how we might be able to be of service, visit our website at Law Offices of Daniel Berger, or call us at 718-691-7475. We look forward to helping you soon.