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Disability for Ulcerative Colitis Patients

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Posted 2/13/2018 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
It was suggested from another post that I ask about anyone's experience applying and/or qualifying for disability that suffers from UC and/or C. Diff? Please share?
Posted 2/14/2018 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Short-term disability is possible with UC (using ADA or FLMA laws in usa). Long term disability is rare with UC as surgery is considered a cure.
Posted 2/14/2018 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I think what iPoop is saying is true. There are so many treatment options, if you ran through all of them without success, and you had surgery, and you still struggled to function well enough to work, then I think you would have a very strong case.

I have seen a few people getting SSDI even though they weren't in the situation I described above though, and I have friends/family who get it for much less than UC, so perhaps it's mostly dependent on your ability to fill out paperwork or get the right lawyer? Appeal over and over again?

C diff is curable with antibiotics. I don't think that would be a consideration at all. Perhaps for short term time off...
Posted 2/14/2018 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
You should be able to get short-term disability in the US but that is a state-based program - you should look for whatever state agency runs that program and then ask your doctor to fill out the form. If you are talking about my prior comment, if you need to alter your work duties or maybe sonething about the physical space where you work or maybe need temporary permission to work from home (if feasible) then you can ask for a reasonable accommodation of your employer. For example, I usually have to go in a few times a week but I also need to be within 20 seconds of a toilet at the moment. My work is accommodating me by letting me work at home every day while I get through the worst of this flare bc there is no way I can be on the train for an hour. I just gave my boss a note from my doctor.
Posted 2/14/2018 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in Canada and I got government permanent disability status for having UC. Here they don't withhold it if you haven't tried surgery. Eligibility is based on your severity, not on what treatments you've tried. I realize the USA is different and you often get denied, which then requires a lawyer to really get in. In Canada the "disabled" status is separate from getting money. You may go on and off of financial assistance, but the disabled status is forever. It's also provincial, whereas in the U.S. it's federal.

Prior to that I was on short-term disability with my job, but it ran out and they didn't have a long-term option so I had to quit.

Your best bet would be to talk to a social worker or someone along those lines to find out the truth of the situation.
Posted 2/14/2018 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
In the states to eligible for Social Security Disability the condition must render a person totally disabled for at least 12 months, if not permanently. Totally disabled means you cannot perform any type of gainful employment, not just the current job you work in. They have vocational experts that evaluate your illness & they look to see what other jobs are available in the work force that a person can perform within their disability. The best thing is go online to SSA.gov, this is where you will find the correct info.. Your dr must be behind you 500% percent too. It is a long lengthy process, waiting 2 years for a hearing before a judge is not uncommon at all even with an atty. Many years ago I read that something like 83% of claims were denied in the beginning. A lot of people would not appeal the decision or hire an atty.

If you have short term disability & long term through your employer, this would be the best route to take because you would receive some pay while off. You can apply for FLMA, however, time off is unpaid. I am not aware of any short term disability offered in the US.
Posted 2/15/2018 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Susie,

California offers paid disability leave for temporary disability for up to a year. Benefits depend in part how much you make. I was on it for 12 weeks for another issue 6 years ago. A few other states have this as well I believe. SSDI is going to be nearly impossible to get, though.
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