The PNA has received an article that gives tips for pituitary patients on applying for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. This article was submitted by an advertising firm for attorneys who specialize in helping people apply for disability. While this information may be useful, the PNA would like to make it clear that the links they provide lead to their own website and are designed to attract clients. The Social Security Administration has a website that explains how to apply for disability directly. Click here to go the disability application page on the www.socialsecurity.gov site.
Here is the article:
Social Security Disability Benefits with Pituitary Disorders and Pituitary Tumors
If you have a pituitary disorder or pituitary tumor and you find you are unable to work because of the endocrine symptoms that your condition is causing, you can seek help through disability benefits. This will help you understand how you can apply for Social Security disability benefits and how the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates claims based on individual diagnosis.
Social Security Disability Programs
The SSA offers two disability benefits programs to disabled individuals, which are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each program has technical requirements that need to be met in addition to the medical criteria needed to qualify.
SSDI is funded by Social Security taxes and is meant for disabled workers who have paid in to the system from previous paychecks. You need to provide your work history and have earned enough work credits to qualify.
As of 2014, for every $1,200 earned you will receive one work credit, the maximum amount is four per year. For instance, you are required a minimum of 20 credits if you are 31 years or older to receive SSDI. The exact amount of work credits needed depends on your age.
SSI, on the other hand, is a need-based program for low-income individuals and takes into account the value of your total assets and resources. Instead of providing job history, you will need to prove that you meet the asset and income limits.
As of 2014, an individual cannot make more than $721 per month in income and cannot own more than $2,000 in assets, excluding the home and one vehicle.. The limitations increase for couples to $1,082 per month in income and $3,000 in assets. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-programs
Medical Eligibility for Pituitary Disorders and Tumors
If you have a tumor or pituitary-related disorder, it may cause irregular hormone production. Either your pituitary gland will not produce enough of the necessary hormones or it may produce an excess of hormones. As a result, you may experience a range of medical complications. The symptoms depend on the severity of the problem, but typically you could suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:
• Loss of sleep, changes in sleep cycle
• Growth abnormalities
• Depression
• Headaches
• Memory loss, poor concentration
• Fatigue, weakness
• Hair loss
• Vision changes
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Sexual dysfunction
Your treatment will depend on the disorder or type of tumor. Sometimes, removing the tumor can help to improve your condition. However, in some cases, people with a pituitary disorder or pituitary tumor don’t respond to treatment and end up with long-term disability that hinders their daily lives and livelihood. If you fall in this category, you could be eligible for Social Security disability to meet your treatment expenses and get a source of income. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/pituitary-gland-disorders-and-social-security-disability
The SSA determines medical eligibility according to the Blue Book, which is a guidebook of all disabling conditions. Pituitary disorders and pituitary tumors are deemed disabling conditions under Section 9.00 – Endocrine Disorders. It states that if any individual suffers from hormone production disruption, which affects the normal functioning of the other endocrine glands then such an individual qualifies for benefits.
This said, it is important to remember the SSA evaluates each claim on a case-by-case basis and focuses on the severity of the symptoms. Therefore, if you need disability benefits, it’s important you get sufficient medical support to show the SSA your pituitary disorder or tumor is disabling.
Applying for Disability Benefits
You can apply for SSDI or SSI online or in person at your nearest Social Security office. During the application process, you will be asked to fill out a number of forms. It’s important to remember that you should provide as much evidence and support as possible to prove that your condition is indeed disabling.
Your answers should make it easy for the reviewer to understand how your pituitary disorder or tumor is affecting your day-to-day life and preventing you from earning an income. In addition, support the forms with copies of medical records, statements from the doctors, employment records, and financial information, among other things.
You should receive a letter around two to four months from the date of your application informing you of a decision. If you’re awarded benefits, you will be notified as to how much you will receive, when benefits will begin and what you’re entitled to. Also, two years after the SSA considers you disabled, you will qualify for medical benefits in the Medicare program.
On the other hand, if you’re denied, you have 60 days from the date of the notice to appeal the denial. It’s important not to stress, as many applicants get denied in the initial decision and go on to successfully receive benefits in the appeals process.
Legal Representation
If you need to appeal a denial of benefits, you may want to consider working with a disability attorney during the appeals process. Such professionals know the ins and outs of the application and appeal hearing process, and they will be able to represent your case effectively to help you get a favorable decision. Statistics show individuals who use disability attorneys have higher chances of a favorable outcome compared to those who don’t.
This application process can seem overwhelming, but the disability benefits can provide peace of mind and make more treatment options available to you.
