If you have kidney disease, you may qualify for disability benefits if you are unable to work.The disability benefits cover you for the financial hardship you must bear due to the kidney disease.
The Initial Application for Disability Benefits for Kidney Disease
There are two routes to choose from when applying for disability benefits for kidney disease, both of which are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The first is by using your work credits which you have accumulated while paying your disability insurance taxes while the second is based on your financial need which has no relationship to the former.
Typically, before you can lodge an application for either type of disability benefits, you need to find kidney disease in the Blue Book list. This comes under genitourinary disorders in section 6.0. You will only be considered if you are taking part in chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis that you will have to endure for at least 12 months. Also, if you have had a kidney transplant which has disabled you and thirdly, if you have kidney disease, which has meant you have spent at least 3 x 48 hour periods in hospital recently.
There are three routes available to apply for Social Security benefits. If you have enough work credits you can file an application online. You can also call the Social Security office to book an appointment or go to your local Social Security office without booking an appointment.
The SSA will ask to see your medical records including CT scans which show the date you first became disabled with kidney disease. You will have to prove you are unable to carry out the work you did before becoming disabled and that the disability will last at least 12 months. Before you apply, make sure you have the names and contact details of all the doctors and medical facilities which you have visited in the last 5 years. Whether you are offered disability benefits depends partly on what your physician knows about your kidney disease and if s/he thinks you have the capacity to work.
If you are denied disability benefits for your kidney disease you can appeal the decision or file a request for reconsideration.
Request for Reconsideration With Kidney Disease
If you decide to file an appeal with for disability benefits for your kidney disease you will need to present your disability case in person to an administrative law judge, or ALJ. Arranging the date and the hearing itself both take place at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, or ODAR. The most likely reason for a disability benefits denial is to do with the lack of evidence of your disability. You may need to get more any medical tests done to prove the presence and pain caused by the herniated disc like X-rays and MRIs. Also proof that you need an assistive device to enhance your mobility.
You may also choose to get a Residual Functional Capacity assessment completed by your physician. The form is available on the Social Security Administration’s website and it requires a detailed description of your disability such as how long you can remain in the squat position and what weight you can carry.
If your claim for disability benefits has still not been successful you may consider turning to the Appeals Council. You are given 60 days following the ALJ decision to request a review at the Appeal’s Council. All the Appeal’s Council does is determine if the ALJ has made an error when finalizing its decision. If you don’t want to accept the Appeal’s Council decision your last chance is the Federal District Court where many claims are won.
Help With Disability Application Process for Kidney Disease
A disability lawyer has the experience to guide you through the disability benefits claim’s process and file an appeal on your behalf if your claim is denied.
