In 2018, which is the most recent year used for studying the intricate procedure called an organ transplant, more than 36,000 Americans received an organ given by both living and deceased donors. The most common types of organ transplant operations involve the heart, lung, liver, and kidney. What is not common about the invasive medical procedure are the long-term health consequences that include a dramatic reduction in the metabolism rate and the potential for suffering from one or more acute infections.
Regardless of the type of organ transplant, any worker that goes through the procedure needs the financial support and emotional relief offered by a benefits program managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
SSA Claims Application
Undergoing organ transplant surgery makes it impossible for anyone to hold down a steady job in any field. The body requires a significant amount of time to rejuvenate the nerves, tissues, and blood cells required to accept a donated organ. If you have gone through an organ transplant procedure, you should file for a benefits program run by the SSA called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Eligibility for SSDI benefits requires you to meet a minimum standard for federal income taxes paid over a rolling 10-year time frame. The SSA awards up to four tax credits per year and depending on your age, you have to collect a certain number of tax credits for the SSA to approve your SSDI application.
Meeting the Standards Listed in the Blue Book
After meeting the tax credit threshold established by the SSA, the next step to receiving SSDI benefits involves checking out the Blue Book. The SSA-issued Blue Book lists the disabilities that prevent American workers from earning income from a job. An organ transplant is listed in the Blue Book, which means you have to move on to determine whether the symptoms you have experienced match the symptoms and the seriousness of the symptoms as outlined in the Blue Bool. The symptoms criteria listed in the Blue Book is frequently difficult to comprehend. A state licensed personal injury attorney can help you make sense of the Blue Book to see if you qualify for SSDI benefits.
Making a Decision on SSDI Benefits
Just like other federal government subsidy programs, the SSA has a limited amount of financial resources to help SSDI applicants pay for costly medical procedures. If the SSA approves your SSDI application, you should receive benefits that match the income you earned from a full-time job. Several medical and vocational experts thoroughly examine your application to determine its validity. The process can take several months to complete, and there is not a supplementary income support program in place to help workers make ends meet in the interim.
How to Apply for SSDI Benefits
Most major American cities have at least one SSA office that allows walk-in applications for SSDI benefits. The problem with a walk-in application is the line to submit the application can be extraordinarily long. Your best strategy is to submit an SSDI application online at the SSA website. The process takes less time than submitting a paper application via snail mail, and you receive an immediate confirmation that the SSA received your application.
Because of the costs associated with an organ transplant, you need an advocate in your corner to help you meet daily financial obligations. Schedule a free initial consultation today with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
