How to Apply For Disability Benefits With Liver Disease

If you have liver disease, you may be eligible for disability benefits. However, there are a number of steps you need to follow before your disability benefits claim will be approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Step 1: Determine How Liver Disease Limits You

In order to qualify for disability for liver disease, you should not be able to work for at least 12 months due to your liver disease diagnosis. This includes working in either the past jobs that have once done as well as your last (i.e., current or most recent) job. Additionally, your disability should impact your ability to take part in usual daily life activities such as driving, shopping, and performing jobs or tasks around your home.

Step 2: Consult the Blue Book For Liver Disease

Before the Social Security Administration (SSA) is likely to approve your application for disability benefits, you should check for the liver disease listing in the Blue Book to determine what medical tests and diagnosis you may need to qualify:

  • the SSA requires clinical and laboratory findings which should include the following: appropriate imaging results such as CAT scans, MRIs and radionuclide scans;
  • reports from an endoscopy;
  • operations’ reports, if relevant;
  • pathology reports.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Along with medical evidence that shows your liver disease qualifies you for disability benefits, you will need other information to submit alongside your application which includes:

  • tax information;
  • proof of United States citizenship;
  • work history (relevant for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits applicants;
  • birth certificate or other proof of birth;
  • U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968;
  • W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year;
  • an Adult Disability Report that contains further details about your liver disease;
  • your work history;
  • medical evidence such as medical records, doctors' reports, and the most recent test results;
  • pay stubs.

The SSA may ask you to take part in a Residual Functioning Capacity (RFC) assessment if it is not convinced that other medical test results of your medical condition prevents you from working. The SSA allows your own doctor to complete the RFC form who will ask you to take part in physical and mental tests. The Physical Residual Functional Capacity assessment is based on how much you are able to stand or walk and carry, lift, and push or pull objects.

The Mental Residual Functional Capacity assessment assesses memory and understanding which involves the applicant’s ability to interpret, remember and follow instructions. It also assesses the following:

  • social interaction which is your ability to interact with coworkers;
  • your ability to focus on completing tasks;
  • how you are able to handle workplace pressures.

There is also a vision test that is based on the following visual limits and how they affect the applicant:

  • near acuity;
  • field of vision;
  • far acuity;
  • depth perception;
  • color vision;
  • accommodation.

Speaking and hearing are also assessed and the assessing physician has to state if the applicant is limited or impaired when using these senses.

Step 4: Speak With a Disability Attorney

An attorney may be able to help with your claim, so it is in your interest to take the free case evaluation to speak with an attorney today to give yourself the best chances of winning the disability benefits you deserve for your liver disease.

Take the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an attorney today!

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