What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C (HVC) is a virus that spreads through coming into contact with infected blood. Some symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, and jaundice. Untreated, it can cause serious complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis C can also cause chronic liver disease, which may result in liver failure. Even when treated, the medications can cause strong side effects and more complications for patients.
Hepatitis C and its associated complications can interfere with your daily activities. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has criteria for it listed under Chronic Liver Disease in the SSA’s Blue Book. If you don’t already have a diagnosis of chronic liver disease, it depends on how severe your case and symptoms are.
Does Hepatitis C Qualify You for Disability Benefits?
In order to get disability benefits for Hepatitis C, you must meet certain criteria outlined in the SSA’s Blue Book. To approve your claim, all of the following must apply to you:
- Your physician diagnosed you with Hepatitis C
- You have a diagnosis of chronic liver disease specifically associated with Hepatitis C, and
- You can successfully demonstrate that your symptoms significantly limit your ability to work full-time.
Keep in mind that to receive disability benefits, your health condition must make doing your current job duties difficult or impossible. Further, your symptoms must limit your ability to work for a minimum of 12 months in a row. So even if you don’t necessarily meet the qualification for Hepatitis C in the SSA’s Blue Book, you may still obtain disability benefits. All you need to do in that case is prove that your combined health problems severely affect your ability to work.
You May Qualify for Legal Assistance
If you’re unable to work for one year due to your illness, you should definitely apply for SSDI benefits. Having a disability lawyer file your claim makes you 3x more likely to win benefits on your first try. Even better, if the SSA doesn’t approve your claim, you pay $0 for legal assistance. People who qualify for legal assistance through this website typically get $12,000 in lump-sum backpay as well as monthly benefits. Those who apply on their own without legal assistance often wait up to two years for their first disability payment.
We can connect you with an experienced Social Security attorney or advocate for a free consultation before filing your claim. Sign up for your free, no-obligation phone call with a local advocate near you today and get confidential claim advice. This service costs you nothing and greatly increases your chances for Social Security disability benefit approval.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!
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Megan Kelly is a former blogger and copywriter for LeadingResponse.