Applying for Disability

Some people with chronic hepatitis are unable to work and need to apply for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits as alternatives. Unfortunately, because so little is known about hepatitis and its symptoms and effects, this process can be long and complicated.

• How to apply
• Who is eligible?
• Tips when applying
• Online resources

There are five questions SSA asks to determine eligibility:

• Are you working?
• Is your condition severe?
• Is your condition found in the list of disabling impairments?
• Can you do the work you did previously?
• Can you do any other type of work?

• Read the full instructions completely and carefully before you begin filling out any part of the application form.
   
• Ask for extra forms or copy them so you can make a draft before filling out the final version.
   
• Fill the form out yourself if at all possible. You know and understand your case better than anyone else.

• Have someone else read the form to give you constructive criticism. Ask a third party to do this – not a spouse, parent, or anyone who might be too sympathetic to be objective.

• Print or type the form, making sure that it is legible.

• Always keep a copy of any form you fill out or paper verifying your claim that you file at the SSA office.

• Be thorough and exact when answering the questions. If SSA gives you a choice of check boxes "yes" and "no" and your situation is "sometimes," don't limit yourself to the check boxes. Explain your answers.

• Give a complete medical history because a lot is unknown about hepatitis and how it might affect you. Do not leave out symptoms or problems because you think they are not related. Many members of the medical community may not know what is related. Describe the symptoms and side effects that you experience because you will have a better chance of fighting a denial.

• Discuss all diagnoses that limit your ability to work in any way. Often, it is the combination of medical problems that makes a person unable to work.

• You will need to supply the names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that have treated you and dates of treatment. If possible, get complete medical records yourself from doctors, hospitals, test results, etc. This way you don't leave it to the SSA office to decide what is and isn't important and relevant. You have a right to have access to your records, so don't let people refuse to let you see them.

• If you worked while you had a symptom(s) of a medical problem(s), be sure you explain why the symptom is now more of a problem.

• Include receipts for medication, cost of treatment, and medical bills to show expenses incurred because of the disease. Keep copies of everything you send or bring.

• Get written statements from friends, family members, co-workers, and doctors to document your case. Non-doctors can simply write a "To whom it may concern" letter citing specific changes in relationships and everyday activities due to your condition (e.g., lack of energy, depression). Include an official copy of your birth certificate and any other document they request. You will need the SS number and proof of age for each person applying for payments. This includes your spouse or children if they are applying for benefits. You also need dates of prior marriages if your spouse is applying.

• Ideally, your doctor(s) should link your symptoms to your diagnoses, and conclude with an answer to this question: "Why can Ms. Patient no long work full time, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, week after week, with no unusual sick leave, and at a competitive pace?"

• You will have to supply a summary of places you worked in the past 15 years and the kind of work you did.

• Bring/send a copy of your W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if self-employed, your Federal Tax return for the past year. They base their determination on earnings in the last three quarters, so let them know if any changes occur.

• Be patient. It will take time for your claim to be processed. It is reviewed by a medical board, and they may ask you to see a doctor or have additional tests at their expense.

• If you are denied and you believe you are unable to work, keep appealing until you get a hearing with a Social Security judge. Applicants are most successful when they can explain their problems directly to the person making the decision.

• Be cooperative.

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