Who here is on long term dissability and...

[Ender]

what was your fev1 when you started it? Do you think it's possible to go on long term dissability with an fev1 of like 70%? Any idea what the requirments are?

I don't want to go on it...yet. But curious for the future...and how i should prepare <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Ender]

what was your fev1 when you started it? Do you think it's possible to go on long term dissability with an fev1 of like 70%? Any idea what the requirments are?

I don't want to go on it...yet. But curious for the future...and how i should prepare <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[lovingBenandCambree]

I believe that my FEV 1 was in the 60's but dropped dramatically after I applied. I had no problems getting it but I know that that is not that case with everyone. I think that the Drs have a great deal of pull with this. My doc is very much for it and I am sure that it helped tremendously. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Emilee

 

[lovingBenandCambree]

I believe that my FEV 1 was in the 60's but dropped dramatically after I applied. I had no problems getting it but I know that that is not that case with everyone. I think that the Drs have a great deal of pull with this. My doc is very much for it and I am sure that it helped tremendously. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Emilee

 

[Jennifer1981]

I am 24 years old with CF and on long-term disability. My FEV1 when I applied was around 80%. Now, it is 78%. I was accepted when I was 22. I was accepted immediately and here is why. Back then, I was work as a Certified Medical Assistant in a cancer clinic. I dealt everyday with terminal cancer patients who were undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Many on these patients, regardless of treatment, had less than 6 months to live. They had lung cancer, brain cancer, and various other fatal ones. Anyway, I was trying to work full-time, but I kept getting sick. A patient would come in with a cold. For me, it would turn into a pneumonia and hospital admission. That year, I was hospitalized 3 times. My doctors said that I was a threat on the job to these patients. I lost my job, and the employer had to file a JACO report to the Health Services Department in the event that someone would get very sick thanks to me. I had picked up a strain of pseudo that could kill my immune-deficient patients if they contacted it. When I applied to Social Security, I was accepted immediately. I lost my job and had 3 hospital admissions that year. It didn't matter that my PFT was 80%.

According to what I know, one of their standards is: Were you hospitalized more than twice over the past year? They are looking for a "yes". If you put no, you're out. They also considered my doctors letter very seriously. Since a JACO report was filed to the government, I am POSITIVE that is why I was not rejected upon first application. Many people are turned down 2 or 3 times.

Now 2 1/2 years later, I am unemployed and married. My FEV1 is still 78%. I have not been in the hospital since Feb. 2004. No oral antibiotics since April 2005. Social Security reevaluates me every year. They are aware of this and my marriage, and I still have assistance. I also still have the pseudo which cancels out my Associates Degree. According to my doctors, I will never get rid of it.

Well, I hope this has helped. Ask me any other questions that you may have.

Jennifer 24 w/CF

 

[Jennifer1981]

I am 24 years old with CF and on long-term disability. My FEV1 when I applied was around 80%. Now, it is 78%. I was accepted when I was 22. I was accepted immediately and here is why. Back then, I was work as a Certified Medical Assistant in a cancer clinic. I dealt everyday with terminal cancer patients who were undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. Many on these patients, regardless of treatment, had less than 6 months to live. They had lung cancer, brain cancer, and various other fatal ones. Anyway, I was trying to work full-time, but I kept getting sick. A patient would come in with a cold. For me, it would turn into a pneumonia and hospital admission. That year, I was hospitalized 3 times. My doctors said that I was a threat on the job to these patients. I lost my job, and the employer had to file a JACO report to the Health Services Department in the event that someone would get very sick thanks to me. I had picked up a strain of pseudo that could kill my immune-deficient patients if they contacted it. When I applied to Social Security, I was accepted immediately. I lost my job and had 3 hospital admissions that year. It didn't matter that my PFT was 80%.

According to what I know, one of their standards is: Were you hospitalized more than twice over the past year? They are looking for a "yes". If you put no, you're out. They also considered my doctors letter very seriously. Since a JACO report was filed to the government, I am POSITIVE that is why I was not rejected upon first application. Many people are turned down 2 or 3 times.

Now 2 1/2 years later, I am unemployed and married. My FEV1 is still 78%. I have not been in the hospital since Feb. 2004. No oral antibiotics since April 2005. Social Security reevaluates me every year. They are aware of this and my marriage, and I still have assistance. I also still have the pseudo which cancels out my Associates Degree. According to my doctors, I will never get rid of it.

Well, I hope this has helped. Ask me any other questions that you may have.

Jennifer 24 w/CF

 

[anonymous]

The SSD requirements are at <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap10.htm">http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap10.htm</a> - search for "cystic fibrosis".
Most long-term disability (whether SSD, SSI, or private) actually use the same regs as SSD.

It really helps to be working with a doctor's office or a lawyer who understands how to file for this -- particularly if you've been denied once you might want to have a law office help you. You can get a list of approved lawyers from SS.
-lisav

 

[anonymous]

The SSD requirements are at <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap10.htm">http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-ap10.htm</a> - search for "cystic fibrosis".
Most long-term disability (whether SSD, SSI, or private) actually use the same regs as SSD.

It really helps to be working with a doctor's office or a lawyer who understands how to file for this -- particularly if you've been denied once you might want to have a law office help you. You can get a list of approved lawyers from SS.
-lisav

 

[anonymous]

better link.
the Blue Book online <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
">http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
</a>-lisav

 

[anonymous]

better link.
the Blue Book online <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
">http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/
</a>-lisav

 

[Landy]

Here is another link to the requirements, specifically for CF:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/3.00-Respiratory-Adult.htm#3.04%20Cystic%20fibrosis
Keep in mind, that this is not set in stone, as others have mentioned, they were able to get disability w/ FEV1's higher than the SSDI requirements.
There is an atty w/ CF in Texas that could offer some advice on your situation, if you want her contact inromation, let us know.

 

[Landy]

Here is another link to the requirements, specifically for CF:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/3.00-Respiratory-Adult.htm#3.04%20Cystic%20fibrosis
Keep in mind, that this is not set in stone, as others have mentioned, they were able to get disability w/ FEV1's higher than the SSDI requirements.
There is an atty w/ CF in Texas that could offer some advice on your situation, if you want her contact inromation, let us know.

 

[JazzysMom]

CF has its own regulations under Social Security.....which not only include PFTs & weight, but requirement of inhaled antibiotics, iv usage, hospitalization etc. My case was approved not necessarily on my health & inability to actually work as much as if I did work it wouldnt allow me to care for myself properly which required the tobi, ivs etc. I was initially denied & filed an appeal by hiring a local disability attorney who was fired shortly after. He wanted my cased based on inability to live (like with a back injury....unable to do anything) which having an 18 month old wasnt realistic. It concerned my CF doctor that his approach didnt really have anything to do with my CF & she was worried it might affect things in the long run. When I fired him I hired Beth Sufian who is well know for her advocacy for CFers & has CF herself. SHe is in Texas & I am in NY so the distance isnt a problem. Another thing that was of benefit to me is that the substantial employment part was fruitful. I live in a very rural area & my job paid great (one of the higher paying employers in the area) so I could only be required to take a certain pay cut & travel a certain distance to obtain a job similar to what I had. That couldnt happen so it did help in my case as well as the actual CF problems/circumstances. I dont remember off hand what my PFTs were, but they were much lower than what I had been since I was very sick when I put the application in.

 

[JazzysMom]

CF has its own regulations under Social Security.....which not only include PFTs & weight, but requirement of inhaled antibiotics, iv usage, hospitalization etc. My case was approved not necessarily on my health & inability to actually work as much as if I did work it wouldnt allow me to care for myself properly which required the tobi, ivs etc. I was initially denied & filed an appeal by hiring a local disability attorney who was fired shortly after. He wanted my cased based on inability to live (like with a back injury....unable to do anything) which having an 18 month old wasnt realistic. It concerned my CF doctor that his approach didnt really have anything to do with my CF & she was worried it might affect things in the long run. When I fired him I hired Beth Sufian who is well know for her advocacy for CFers & has CF herself. SHe is in Texas & I am in NY so the distance isnt a problem. Another thing that was of benefit to me is that the substantial employment part was fruitful. I live in a very rural area & my job paid great (one of the higher paying employers in the area) so I could only be required to take a certain pay cut & travel a certain distance to obtain a job similar to what I had. That couldnt happen so it did help in my case as well as the actual CF problems/circumstances. I dont remember off hand what my PFTs were, but they were much lower than what I had been since I was very sick when I put the application in.

 

[anonymous]

The way I read the CF section (3.04) is that you can get it based on any one of THREE conditions. You do not need all 3, just 1.

1. low FEV1 according to the table they have

2. Episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia or hemoptysis or respiratory failure requiring physician intervention at least once every two months or at least six times a year

3. Persistent pulmonary infection accompanied by superimposed, recurrent, symptomatic episodes of increased bacterial infection occurring at least once every 6 months and requiring intravenous or nebulization antimicrobial therapy

You can also include any other non-respiratory problems the CF gives you.

-lisav

 

[anonymous]

The way I read the CF section (3.04) is that you can get it based on any one of THREE conditions. You do not need all 3, just 1.

1. low FEV1 according to the table they have

2. Episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia or hemoptysis or respiratory failure requiring physician intervention at least once every two months or at least six times a year

3. Persistent pulmonary infection accompanied by superimposed, recurrent, symptomatic episodes of increased bacterial infection occurring at least once every 6 months and requiring intravenous or nebulization antimicrobial therapy

You can also include any other non-respiratory problems the CF gives you.

-lisav

 

[julie]

Ender, the FEV1 is the HARDEST "impairment listing" to meet. I have some disability stuff on this website in "julie's corner". Here's the link: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/articles.cfm?article_id=100029">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/articles.cfm?article_id=100029</a>

I also have some stuff I can email to you that have helped 3 other CFers win their SSDI cases. Email me at division902@hotmail.com if you are interested.

 

[julie]

Ender, the FEV1 is the HARDEST "impairment listing" to meet. I have some disability stuff on this website in "julie's corner". Here's the link: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/articles.cfm?article_id=100029">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/articles.cfm?article_id=100029</a>

I also have some stuff I can email to you that have helped 3 other CFers win their SSDI cases. Email me at division902@hotmail.com if you are interested.

 

[Emily65Roses]

I think I was about 80% someodd when we first applied. I was denied for more than two years. But with Beth Sufian taking care of my case, I finally got approved in January of 05 (we had originally applied in September 02). Now my FEV1 is 65-70%. I wouldn't have one if it weren't for Beth, she does a great job. I am also far away, same as Melissa. Beth is in Texas, and I'm in Connecticut.

 

[Emily65Roses]

I think I was about 80% someodd when we first applied. I was denied for more than two years. But with Beth Sufian taking care of my case, I finally got approved in January of 05 (we had originally applied in September 02). Now my FEV1 is 65-70%. I wouldn't have one if it weren't for Beth, she does a great job. I am also far away, same as Melissa. Beth is in Texas, and I'm in Connecticut.